Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with a right knee sprain and will not play in Game 5 of Portland’s series against the Los Angeles Lakers, the team announced Tuesday.
The injury appeared to occur on a non-contact play in the third quarter of Game 4 on Monday night. Lillard drove to the basket and planted his feet suddenly for a shot attempt, at which point his right knee looked like it buckled under the pressure. Lillard could be seen limping on the court after the play. He headed to the locker room in obvious discomfort for treatment, before ultimately being ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
The results of a second MRI confirmed his injury to be a right knee sprain.
Lillard’s seeding games heroics, which included multiple 40-plus-point performances, helped secure Portland’s spot in the post-season.
In three playoff games so far, he has averaged 28.7 points and 4.3 assists per game.
Game 5 of the Lakers-Trail Blazers best-of-seven series takes place Wednesday. The Lakers currently hold a 3-1 series lead.
[relatedlinks]
