Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard insisted he would continue playing despite dislocating his finger.
Lillard dislocated his finger as the Trail Blazers fell to the Lakers 111-88 Thursday, leaving their Western Conference first-round series at 1-1. The star guard had 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting and admitted to some discomfort with the finger.
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"It's just sore, a little bit tender to the touch and dislocated it so it's just sore, a little bit swollen and uncomfortable," Lillard said after the game.
However, Lillard left no doubt about his status moving forward.
"I'm playing," Lillard said.
Dame Lillard on Game 3 status: "Oh, I'm playing." pic.twitter.com/hM82K2OEeK
— Main Team (@MainTeamSports) August 21, 2020
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Lillard's X-rays on his finger were negative after the game.
Portland’s Damian Lillard has suffered a dislocated left index finger. X-rays negative.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 21, 2020
But Lillard worried for a little bit the injury was more severe. Video showed him being visibly upset about the injury on the court.
Damian Lillard visibly frustrated after the doctors took a look at his injured finger. pic.twitter.com/oUQaCJOQ3z
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 21, 2020
He explained that moment after the game.
"[The staff] had to put it back for me, and at that point, I thought it was broken," Lillard said. "I was just frustrated because I had to go back and get it looked at. I was just frustrated. It was just bad timing. I handle the ball a lot, so just knowing there's going to be some discomfort, I don't know how that's going to feel or how that's going to go. It's frustrating. That's all it was."
Anthony Davis' double-double of 31 points and 11 rebounds led the Lakers, with Game 3 to be played on Saturday. Lillard felt Portland wasn't playing offense to its highest capabilities.
"I wouldn't say we were due, but I do think that the game balances itself out," he said. "Some guys come out and have a huge night and then the next night they can be cooled off. Some teams play really well for stretches and then they have that game where they cool off. I think we've played really well offensively since we've been here so I wouldn't say we were due, but it happens."