In the third quarter of a blowout Game 2 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers star, Damian Lillard exited the game and did not return.
The team announced his status, following an X-ray, which came back negative.
Damian Lillard (left index finger dislocation) will not return. X-rays are negative.
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) August 21, 2020
When he exited the game with 1:44 left in the third, he had 18 points, but the Lakers were dominating the game, leading by 30 points (85-55).
Later in the game, he returned to the bench with a taped left index finger but never checked back into the game. Here's the play where he seems to have dislocated his left index finger:
Damian Lillard dislocated his left index finger during the third quarter of Game 2, per @CassidyHubbarth.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 21, 2020
He returned to the bench with taped fingers after his X-Rays came back negative. pic.twitter.com/FV5kFZNVKv
The Trail Blazers went on to lose Game 2 111-88 with the series tied at 1-1.
Postgame, head coach Terry Stotts said that no more information was available on Lillard's finger and that "it was too early to tell".
Blazers coach Terry Stotts on Damian Lillard’s availability for Game 3 vs. Lakers after dislocating finger: “It’s too early to tell.” pic.twitter.com/yfCA9rdOcO
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) August 21, 2020
Lillard, in his postgame media availability, said this was his first time dislocating a finger while making clear his status for Game 3 on Sunday (at 6:00 AM IST).
"Oh, I'm playing."
— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 21, 2020
Dame gives an update on his status after dislocating his finger in Game 2 vs. the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/HESzRCe3pJ
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