Blazers could quickly shock Spurs with a Damian Lillard return

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After dropping Recreation 3 of their first-round playoff collection in opposition to the San Antonio Spurs at house, the Portland Path Blazers are hoping to shake issues up. That would contain bringing again all-star Damian Lillard.

Lillard hasn’t performed a recreation this season, although he gained 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 attempting 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 honest to Lillard, he’s eight years older. Nonetheless, it goes to indicate that him returning is technically doable.

Damian Lillard could play for Blazers within the playoffs in opposition to Spurs

Though the Blazers have not dominated Lillard out for his or her collection 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 effectively, he could also be restricted to taking part in fewer than 20 minutes per recreation. That’s in all probability 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 yr.

That appears to be the doubtless final result, and that would not transfer the needle for Portland. The truth is, it might truly harm their possibilities of knocking off the Spurs. Scoot Henderson has had a powerful exhibiting to date within the collection.

Having him see his minutes minimize for the returning Lillard could be a mistake. Not solely would San Antonio look to assault him each likelihood they obtained with De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Fortress, and Dylan Harper, but additionally Henderson is much better defensively.

It is laborious to think about Lillard being wherever close to Dame-Time ranges. If the Blazers don’t get that participant, then it actually does not make sense bringing him again at this level of their season.

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