Damian Lillard says he's playing in Game 3 after dislocating index finger vs. Lakers
A blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers might have got even worse for the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday, as star Damian Lillard headed to the locker room with a finger injury.
Lillard appeared to suffer the injury when his hand banged against the shoe of Anthony Davis while reaching for the ball late in the third quarter. He eventually returned to the bench with his fingers taped up.
Damian Lillard dislocated his left index finger during the third quarter of Game 2, per @CassidyHubbarth.
He returned to the bench with taped fingers after his X-Rays came back negative. pic.twitter.com/FV5kFZNVKv— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2020
The Blazers later announced that Lillard had dislocated his left index finger and would not return, with X-rays coming back negative. He finished the game with 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting in a miserable game for the Blazers.
Damian Lillard on Game 3: ‘I’m playing’
The severity of Lillard’s dislocation was not immediately clear. Even if it was a minor injury Lillard could have played through, the Blazers were down 85-55 when he exited and had little reason to risk further injury by bringing him back.
The Blazers ended up losing 111-88 as the Lakers evened the series at 1-1. Blazers coach Terry Stotts told reporters after the game that it was too early to tell if Lillard would be able to play in Game 3 on Saturday.
Lillard was a little more emphatic when asked about his status.
“Oh, I’m playing”
Damian Lillard’s response when asked about his status for game 3 Saturday #RipCity— Orlando Sanchez (@orlandokgw) August 21, 2020
Lillard told reporters the finger was “a little bit swollen and uncomfortable,” but that’s unlikely to prevent the Blazers’ most important player from suiting up for a game many will consider a must-win if the team wants to pull off a first-round upset.
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