The Portland Trail Blazers are facing elimination after three games in the Western Conference Finals and things will only get tougher as Damian Lillard is apparently battling an injury.
Portland Trail Blazers All-NBA star Damian Lillard has separated ribs and is playing through the injury, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Lillard shot 5-of-18 in Game 3 loss to Warriors.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 19, 2019
The All-Star point guard suffered the injury in Game 2 back in his hometown of Oakland — of all places. In one loose ball play, Golden State Warriors big man Kevon Looney dove for the leather and involved in the scramble was Lillard, whose upper body got sandwiched between the hardwood and all of Looney's 220 lbs. made heavier by his momentum.
Despite Damian Lillard appearing to injure his ribs on this play in Game 2, Portland's star has been playing through his injury.
Dame played 40 min in Game 3. pic.twitter.com/VXLTTqJNnM
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 19, 2019
The Warriors have been doing a terrific job thus far on Lillard, making him feel his opponents' defense on every possession. The rib injury only makes it harder for Lillard to break out of his shell in his first West Finals appearance.
In three games, Lillard is shooting an atrocious 32% from the field while turning the ball over four times on the average.
Portland's return to the conference finals was met with much fanfare from diehard Rip City fans. But injuries to their top players have not done them favors especially against a Warriors juggernaut that doesn't seem like it lost a step despite having Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins out.
With Lillard and Enes Kanter being the Blazers' walking-woundeds, CJ McCollum will have to try harder not just for Jennifer but also for thousands of Oregon hopefuls.
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