After shedding Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff sequence in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs at residence, the Portland Path Blazers are hoping to shake issues up. That might contain bringing again all-star Damian Lillard.
Lillard hasn’t performed a recreation this season, though he received the NBA 3-point Shootout throughout All-Star weekend again in February. The considered Lillard returning this late in-season appears far-fetched.
Maybe it is only a smoke display being despatched out by the Blazers making an attempt to confuse the Spurs. It is doable. Then once more, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum returned from an Achilles tear greater than a month in the past.
That’s regardless of him having gotten injured after Lillard. To be truthful to Lillard, he’s eight years older. Nonetheless, it goes to indicate that him returning is technically doable.
Damian Lillard might play for Blazers within the playoffs in opposition to Spurs
Though the Blazers have not dominated Lillard out for his or her sequence in opposition to the Spurs, I am admittedly skeptical that he’ll play. Shade me skeptical, however with Portland down 1-2, bringing him again would possibly give them a lift, however he’d virtually definitely be on a strict minute restriction.
Even when he performs properly, he could also be restricted to enjoying fewer than 20 minutes per recreation. That’s most likely the best-case situation, however what in regards to the worst-case situation?
The worst-case situation could be that he returns and will get injured once more, setting his restoration again.
Lillard returning could be a double-edge sword for Blazers
In all probability a extra middling final result could be that he returns and is rusty after not having performed an NBA recreation in almost a 12 months.
That appears to be the probably final result, and that would not transfer the needle for Portland. The truth is, it might truly harm their probabilities of knocking off the Spurs. Scoot Henderson has had a robust displaying to date within the sequence.
Having him see his minutes reduce for the returning Lillard could be a mistake. Not solely would San Antonio look to assault him each probability they bought with De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Citadel, and Dylan Harper, but in addition Henderson is much better defensively.
It is arduous to think about Lillard being anyplace close to Dame-Time ranges. If the Blazers do not get that participant, then it actually does not make sense bringing him again at this level of their season.
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