One of the major storylines of the Western Conference Finals has been the subpar performance of Damian Lillard. The Portland Trail Blazers’ superstar guard has not been himself against the Golden State Warriors, averaging 20.3 points on 32.9 percent shooting from the field against the two-time defending champions. As it turns out, there might be a reason why he’s struggled, at least for the last game and a half.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Lillard is playing through separated ribs, an injury that he suffered in Game 2 of the series.
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
Injury occurred in Game 2. The Warriors have clearly also done a tremendous job with their defensive schemes on the Blazers All-Star guard. https://t.co/HRduGqMT7W
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 19, 2019
The exact moment he suffered the injury was pinpointed by Sam Amick of The Athletic. Lillard dove for a loose ball during Game 2, at which point all 6’9 and 220 pounds of Warriors center Kevon Looney fell on him. Lillard was in obvious pain after it happened, holding his left side as he walked off the court, but managed to stay in the game and finish it out.
Injury happened in that mid-third quarter play in Game 2 in which he went after the loose ball and was landed on by Kevon Looney. He's wearing padding and playing through it. https://t.co/o7GpZZAeSe
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) May 19, 2019
Damian Lillard reportedly has been playing with separated ribs. Here is the play from GM2 where he sustained the injury.
(Via @NBCSNorthwest)
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 19, 2019
It goes without saying, but the uphill battle that is beating the Warriors becomes exponentially harder if an injury has Lillard nowhere near close to 100 percent. He’s the kind of guy who will leave it all out on the floor, and while his effort certainly won’t be questioned during Game 4 on Monday, his limited effectiveness due to the injury may be the death knell for the Blazers’ hopes of pulling off an improbable comeback.
