After losing Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs at home, the Portland Trail Blazers are hoping to shake things up. That could involve bringing back all-star Damian Lillard.
Lillard hasn’t played a game this season, even though he won the NBA 3-point Shootout during All-Star weekend back in February. The thought of Lillard returning this late in-season seems far-fetched.
Perhaps it’s just a smoke screen being sent out by the Blazers trying to confuse the Spurs. It’s possible. Then again, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum returned from an Achilles tear more than a month ago.
That is despite him having gotten injured after Lillard. To be fair to Lillard, he is eight years older. However, it goes to show that him returning is technically possible.
Damian Lillard may play for Blazers in the playoffs against Spurs
Although the Blazers haven’t ruled Lillard out for their series against the Spurs, I’m admittedly skeptical that he will play. Color me skeptical, but with Portland down 1-2, bringing him back might give them a boost, but he’d almost certainly be on a strict minute restriction.
Even if he plays well, he may be limited to playing fewer than 20 minutes per game. That is probably the best-case scenario, but what about the worst-case scenario?
The worst-case scenario would be that he returns and gets injured again, setting his recovery back.
Lillard returning would be a double-edge sword for Blazers
Probably a more middling outcome would be that he returns and is rusty after not having played an NBA game in nearly a year.
That seems to be the likely outcome, and that wouldn’t move the needle for Portland. In fact, it could actually hurt their chances of knocking off the Spurs. Scoot Henderson has had a strong showing thus far in the series.
Having him see his minutes cut for the returning Lillard would be a mistake. Not only would San Antonio look to attack him every chance they got with De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, but also Henderson is far better defensively.
It’s hard to imagine Lillard being anywhere near Dame-Time levels. If the Blazers aren’t getting that player, then it really doesn’t make sense bringing him back at this point in their season.