Damian Lillard Playing With Separated Rib In Conference Finals
May 19, 2019, 2:28 PM
Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles against Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, Ore. – Former Weber State and current Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard confirmed that he has been playing with a separated rib in the NBA Western Conference Finals.
Lillard was injured during the third quarter of the Blazers Game 2 loss on Thursday and continued to play in that game and played 39 minutes in Game 3 on Saturday in their 11-point loss.
He finished with 19 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in Game 3 and recorded 23 points and 10 assists in Game 2.
“I finished that game [Game 2] and I played last night,” said Lillard to the media on Sunday. “The pain from having a separated rib and when I get winded,” he said about the injury limiting him.
Thorough three games against the Warriors, Lillard is averaging 20.3 points per game.
Damian Lillard talks about his injured ribs before today’s practice #RipCity pic.twitter.com/XGbHjeyRVu
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) May 19, 2019
“When I get winded, it is harder to breath and any contact when you are banging with guys,” he said.
In the postseason, he has recorded a 26.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game average.
The injury hasn’t affected his shot since it is on his left side. He is wrapping it and using padding.
