Lillard back in limited practice as Bucks' G1 nears

MILWAUKEE -- Damian Lillard took a small step forward Wednesday in his bid to be ready for the start of the Milwaukee Bucks' Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with the Indiana Pacers.

Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Lillard got back on the practice floor and did some shooting and "all of the walk-through stuff." Lillard hadn't practiced on Tuesday after a sore left adductor bothered him the final weekend of the regular season.

The Bucks have Thursday off as they get ready for Game 1 of their playoff series Sunday at Milwaukee. Rivers expressed optimism that Lillard would be able to practice more fully on Friday.

Rivers did note that he also had expected the seven-time all-NBA guard to practice Tuesday before medical staff decided against it.

"I'm assuming," Rivers said. "I would be surprised [if he doesn't practice]. I'll put it that way."

Lillard sat out a loss at Oklahoma City on Friday due to the injury. He returned two days later, but shot just 2-of-14 from the floor when the Bucks ended the regular season with a loss at Orlando.

The Bucks could be needing Lillard more than ever because of the likelihood that two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo won't be ready for the start of the series. Antetokounmpo missed the Bucks' last three regular-season games and hasn't practiced this week due to a left calf strain, though the Bucks haven't given any updates about his potential availability for the playoffs.

Reserve guard AJ Green also hasn't practiced this week because of a sprained left ankle that caused him to sit out the Bucks' final two regular-season games.

The Bucks went 1-8 in the nine games Lillard missed during the regular season.