It was an ugly night for Portland Thursday — the Los Angeles Lakers tightened up their defense and shot down the Trail Blazers offense, blowing the game wide open.
Then Damian Lillard hurt his finger, and things went from ugly to scary for the Blazers.
Damian Lillard appears to injure left index finger, heads back to locker room. pic.twitter.com/xZJvSx9QmO
— NBC Sports Northwest (@NBCSNorthwest) August 21, 2020
He tried to swipe the ball out of Anthony Davis‘ hands from behind as Davis dribbled past, Lillard missed the ball, and on the follow-through his left hand clipped the back of Davis’ shoe, dislocating his finger. Lillard left the game and did not return.
Damian Lillard (left index finger dislocation) will not return. X-rays are negative.
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) August 21, 2020
The X-rays being negative are a good sign that Lillard will not miss more time (this is his off hand). Game 3 of this series is set for Saturday.
Lillard, however, was frustrated.
You don’t see @Dame_Lillard have this reaction often. Now we all hold our breath it’s not too serious. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/uUfLBFO3ot
— Brandon Sprague (@BrandonSprague) August 21, 2020
Lillard had 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting in a game that the Lakers led by 30 and won 111-88.