Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has been playing with separated ribs, according to a report Sunday by The Athletic.
According to the report, Lillard suffered the injury in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. The injury likely occured in the third quarter when Lillard turned the ball over, fell to the floor and Warriors center Kevon Looney landed on him. Lillard got up slowly, holding his ribs.
Damian Lillard is playing despite separating a rib in Game 2, a league source confirmed to @espn_macmahon.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 19, 2019
Here's a look at the possible play where he suffered the injury 🎥 pic.twitter.com/dlgBlYZHfm
Lillard hit only five of 18 shots from the field and scored 19 while playing 40 minutes in the Trail Blazers' 110-99 loss to the Warriors Saturday night in Game 3.
Lillard averaged 33 points per game in Portland's first-round series against the Thunder and 25.1 ppg in the second round against the Nuggets. But the Warriors have done a good job of limiting him.
The All-Star is averaging 20.3 points on 15-of-46 shooting (32.9 percent) in this series. Klay Thompson has been all over Lillard, forcing him to shoot further away from the basket, while other Warriors have stepped in to stop Lillard's moves to the basket on pick-and-roll plays.
Damian Lillard when defended by Klay Thompson last night on 44 possessions:
— r/Warriors (@GSWReddit) May 17, 2019
3 points
6 assists
1 turnover
1/7 FG
0/4 3PT pic.twitter.com/2djxbPuXgP
The Warriors lead the series, 3-0. The Trail Blazers will look to avoid a sweep in Game 4 Monday night in Portland at 9 p.m. ET.