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Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard left his team’s Game 2 playoffs game with the Los Angeles Lakers with a finger issue, perhaps a dislocation.
The injury occurred at the 1:44 mark of the third period with Portland down 85-55. Lillard appeared to make contact with Lakers center Anthony Davis and came up holding his left hand gingerly. Video and later reports confirmed that the issue was with his left index finger.
Damian Lillard appears to injure left index finger, heads back to locker room. pic.twitter.com/xZJvSx9QmO
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) August 21, 2020
Soon after he would head to the locker room, showing unusual frustration.
You don’t see @Dame_Lillard have this reaction often. Now we all hold our breath it’s not too serious. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/uUfLBFO3ot
— Brandon Sprague (@BrandonSprague) August 21, 2020
When it rains it pours. Blazers down 30 and Damian Lillard is leaving the game and heading to the back.
— Orlando Sanchez (@orlandokgw) August 21, 2020
Hurt his left index finger, when it hit Davis' foot. Wincing in pain. Looked like a trainer tried to pop it back in place. #RipCity
Update:
Reports are surfacing that Lillard will not return to Game 2, but X-rays are negative.
Blazers announce, Damian Lillard (left index finger dislocation) will not return. X-rays are negative.
— Jamie Hudson (@JamieHudsonNBCS) August 21, 2020
Update:
Reports say the outlook for Game 3 is “optimistic”...
Initial signs are optimistic for Damian Lillard to play vs. Lakers in Game 3 on Saturday, per sources. https://t.co/7b67mC1yax
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2020
but Head Coach Terry Stotts says it’s too early to tell whether Lillard will be available.
Blazers coach Terry Stotts on Damian Lillard’s availability for Game 3 vs. Lakers after dislocating finger: “It’s too early to tell.” pic.twitter.com/yfCA9rdOcO
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 21, 2020
Update:
The man himself speaks, and contradicts his coach.
"It's just sore, a little bit tender to the touch... Swollen and uncomfortable." -- @Dame_Lillard who then says "I'm playing" in Game 3.
— Casey Holdahl (@CHold) August 21, 2020