Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard left Wednesday’s game against the Miami Heat with a calf injury and didn’t return.
The Blazers All-Star appeared to sustain the injury while shooting a jump shot over Caleb Martin.
He appeared to step on Martin’s foot with his right foot, then grimaced after he landed from the jump shot.
Tough to tell when or what caused it, but Lillard wincing when he put pressure on right side
He went to locker room.
?️ ROOT/Trail Blazers pic.twitter.com/hPVCmsEMql
— Orlando Sanchez (@orlandokgw) October 27, 2022
He eventually left the game, and the Trail Blazers ruled him out with a calf strain.
After the game, Lillard told reporters, “It was probably just a strain” and that his calf “was a little bit tight” before the game.
“It wasn’t nothing I was overly concerned about,” Lillard said. “I just knew that it didn’t make sense to push through it for the fifth game of the season. Let’s just get to the back and see.
“If this was a playoff game, I would have played. It would have been tight and uncomfortable, but I would have played.”
Damian Lillard said he would have continued playing if tonight was a playoff game. Said he will be smart with treatments. Will miss Friday against Houston. Video part 2. pic.twitter.com/jXCaYXYGCJ
— Aaron J. Fentress (@AaronJFentress) October 27, 2022
Lillard played in just 29 games last season as a lingering abdominal injury cost him the bulk of his season.
He’s off to a scorching start this season and averaged 33.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists while shooting 40% from 3-point distance in a 4-0 start.
Portland suffered its first loss of the season on Wednesday in a 119-98 defeat to the Heat.
Lillard’s timeline for a return isn’t clear, but the Trail Blazers certainly hope this isn’t an injury that lingers.
With their surprisingly good start, Damian Lillard will look to return soon and contribute to a stellar start thus far for the Blazers.
