Blazers’ Damian Lillard shifts the left index finger; X-rays unfavorable

Damian Lillard, the star guard of the Portland Path Blazer, left the Los Angeles Lakers 111-88 defeat Thursday within the third quarter resulting from a dislocated left index finger.

The X-rays on Lillard’s finger have been unfavorable, the workforce mentioned. Lillard, who scored 18 factors in 30 minutes in 6-of-14 capturing, didn’t return to the sport.

Blazer’s coach Terry Stotts mentioned after the sport that it was too early to know Lillard’s standing for the third recreation on Saturday on the ESPN Large World of Sports activities complicated at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

When requested about his standing for Recreation 3, Lillard replied, “Oh, I am taking part in.”

Lillard appeared to injure his hand as he reached out to defend Lakers star Anthony Davis throughout a experience to the basket. Lillard shook his head, trying annoyed as he left the sidelines whereas he was being tended to by his workforce’s athletic coaching and medical workers.

“It is simply sore. Just a little tender to the contact,” mentioned Lillard after the sport.

He mentioned he had by no means dislocated a finger and wasn’t certain the way it occurred, however he felt it straight away. He mentioned he did not need to take a look at the finger, however when he did he tried to drag it again into place.

“”[The staff] I needed to put it on maintain for myself, and at that time I assumed it was damaged, “Lillard mentioned.” I used to be simply annoyed as a result of I had to return and see it. I used to be simply annoyed. It was simply dangerous timing. I take care of the ball loads, simply because I do know it is going to be somewhat uncomfortable, I do not know the way it will really feel or the way it will go. It’s irritating. That was all it was. “

The Portland defeat introduced the best-of-seven collection 1-1.

Lillard stepped into the sport after main his workforce by way of the seeding spherical and into the primary spherical towards the Lakers, the highest seed of the Western Convention. He averaged 36.6 factors in 10 video games within the Florida Bubble, probably the most of all gamers there, and has been unanimously voted the bubble’s MVP prior to now few days.

He scored 34 factors in Path Blazers’ Recreation 1 win towards the Lakers on Tuesday.

When requested if the blazers have been due for a nasty recreation, Lillard mentioned, “I would not say we’re due.”

“I feel the sport is extra balanced,” he mentioned. “Some guys come out and have a giant night time and the following night time they will cool off. Some groups play very effectively for tracks after which they’ve the sport the place they cool off. I feel we have performed very well offensively since us I wasn’t right here. I would not say we’re due, but it surely occurs. Generally you’ve a troublesome night time on this finish of the ground. Tonight we had a troublesome night time on the offensive finish of the ground. “