Damian Lillard has a torn left Achilles tendon, confirming the Bucks’ worst fears after the seven-time all-NBA guard was helped off the court Sunday night.

The Bucks announced the severity of Lillard’s injury after he had an MRI on Monday.

The injury knocks Lillard out for the rest of the postseason and could put his status for next season in doubt. When Kevin Durant tore his Achilles tendon in the 2019 NBA Finals, he also missed the following season.

The Bucks had been bracing for this outcome after their 129-103 home loss to the Pacers in Game 4. The fifth-seeded Bucks trail the fourth-seeded Pacers 3-1 in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. Game 5 is Tuesday at Indianapolis.

Lillard’s injury occurred in his third game since coming back after a 15-game absence from deep vein thrombosis in his right calf.

“This is a tough one,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said after Sunday’s game. “Blood clot, followed by this. It’s just tough. That’s why you have teammates and family around him. He’s just such a great freaking dude, on a basketball level, but more importantly as a teammate and a father and all that stuff.”

Lillard, 34, was behind the 3-point line around the top of the key midway through the first quarter when the ball bounced toward him. Lillard used his left hand to tip the ball toward teammate Gary Trent Jr., then went down and grabbed the lower part of his left leg. He continued to sit on the floor as play resumed on the other end of the court.

When Lillard got up, he couldn’t put weight on his left leg. He eventually was helped off the court and into the locker room.

“He’s one of the toughest guys I know, so when he stays down, you feel for him,” said teammate Pat Connaughton, who played with Lillard on the Trail Blazers as well.

Lillard ranked 10th in the NBA in scoring (24.9) and 10th in assists (7.1) this season while earning his 10th All-Star Game selection.

Wolves in control: The Timberwolves have found a new gear after a regular season of fits and starts.

Jaden McDaniels converted a three-point play with 39.5 seconds left for the lead and stole the ensuing inbounds pass from LeBron James, leading a rally by the Timberwolves for a 116-113 win over the Lakers on Sunday that put them up 3-1 in the first-round Western Conference series.

Anthony Edwards, who had 43 points to lead the host Wolves in scoring for the first time in this edition of the NBA playoffs, drew a foul on James during a drive to the lane with 10 seconds left and hit both free throws.

With Luka Doncic and James well-defensed along the arc, the ball went to Austin Reaves in the corner for the tying attempt that rimmed out.

Julius Randle added 25 points and McDaniels had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the sixth-seeded Wolves, who trailed by 12 late in the third quarter.

Doncic bounced back from a stomach bug with 38 points, but the third-seeded Lakers headed home for a win-or-be-eliminated Game 5 on Wednesday.