Damian Lillard has never missed an NBA game, he’s suited up and played in 275 straight for Portland. That included Sunday when he had 32 points and nine assists in a 116-109 Blazers loss to the Heat.
But Lillard was limping in the Portland locker room after the game and admitted he is battling a case of plantar fasciitis, reports Jason Quick. Just don’t expect Lillard to willingly take some time off.However, when Lillard was asked about whether he was worried about his left heel, he was emphatic in his answer.
“No. You see I finished the game,’’ Lillard said. “So, I’m not really worried about it....
“Before today it was a little bit sore … and in the game I think I aggravated it a little bit … it got a little tight, a little sore.’’
Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot, a condition that makes it painful to run. Which sucks if your job is to run up and down a hardwood floor and play basketball.
The only real cure for it is rest. It can be treated, but rest is the only true answer.
The Blazers have a little rest coming up. They play in Atlanta Monday but then are off until Friday, when they face a back-to-back on the road (Oklahoma City and Dallas). But that may not be enough for Lillard if this gets more severe.
That would be trouble for the Blazers — they’re offense is 12.5 points per 100 possessions worse when he is off the floor. He is by far their best shot creator, and without him on the floor it all falls to C.J. McCollum, and then... it is not pretty.
