With Damian Lillard joining the team in the preseason, the Milwaukee Bucks entered the 2023–24 campaign with the intention of challenging for the championship. Despite having one of the better records in the Eastern Conference, they have encountered significant difficulties on the court. The Bucks will play the Utah Jazz on Monday in an attempt to get back on track, but standout guard Damian Lillard won’t be available. Acting head coach David Locke of the Jazz has said that Lillard will not be playing in the game for personal reasons.

Due to personal circumstances, Damian Lillard will not be playing in tomorrow’s Utah Jazz vs. Milwaukee Bucks game.

— David Locke, January 8, 2024 (@DLocke09)

The Bucks were not even on Damian Lillard’s or anyone else’s radar when he made his initial trade request during the winter. Evidently, it was either the Miami Heat or nothing. However, Lillard began to seriously explore joining the Bucks when those negotiations faltered and never took off.

Although Jrue Holiday was ultimately lost to the Bucks in the trade, Lillard was anticipated to team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton to form a new Big 3. Even though the Bucks are currently 25-11 and in second place in the East, they have only won 6-4 of their last ten games and are a pitiful 9-8 away from home. They remain three and a half games behind the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference standings.

Throughout his 34 games on the court this season, Damian Lillard has averaged 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 1.1 steals for the Bucks. His shooting percentages are 42.8 percent from the field, 35.2 percent from three-point range, and 91.6 percent from the free throw line.