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” I didnt understand what took place,” Lillard said. “I just understand I reached from behind and, I didnt understand if it was his leg or his foot or if I just pressed my hand into his back or what, however I felt it right away. And when I felt it, I didnt even desire to look at it. I got it to go back a little bit, but it was still out, and when I went to the back, they had to pull it back.”
Tim BontempsESPN
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.– Portland Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts validated what star Damian Lillard said after Thursday nights loss to the Los Angeles Lakers: Despite a dislocated left forefinger he suffered in Game 2, Lillard will be in the starting lineup for Game 3.
” Hes getting treatments today,” Stotts said. “Multiple treatments throughout the day.
” I think hell be using a splint, but he will play.”
Lillard hurt the finger when he struck it on Anthony Davis shoe late in the 3rd quarter and wound up sitting the whole 4th as the Lakers burnt out the Blazers to even the series at one win each.
” I didnt understand what occurred,” Lillard said. “I simply understand I reached from behind and, I didnt know if it was his leg or his foot or if I simply pushed my hand into his back or what, however I felt it right away. I got it to go back a little bit, but it was still out, and when I went to the back, they had to pull it back.”
Still, none of that was going to prevent Lillard, who has been on a tear ever because coming down to the NBAs bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort last month, from betting the Lakers in Game 3 and beyond.
” Oh, Im playing,” Lillard stated, adding that he had actually never dislocated his finger before.
For his part, Stotts stated he wouldve been shocked if Lillard had actually said anything else.
” Honestly, its kind of what we expect,” Stotts stated. “I totally anticipated, unless it was a broken finger, and even then … Dame has actually played through a great deal of injuries.
” And this being the playoffs, I dont believe it surprised any person. Definitely it sets the tone for the rest of the team.”
Lillard, who scored 34 points in Portlands Game 1 success prior to scoring 18 points in 30 minutes ahead of his injury in Game 2, scored 51 points versus Philadelphia, 61 against Dallas and 43 against Brooklyn simply to get the Blazers into the NBAs play-in tournament over the weekend, where Portland beat Memphis to make it back to the playoffs.
