Rib injury adds to Lillard’s struggles

Guard hitting 32.6% of shots, has committed 14 turnovers

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland point guard Damian Lillard confirmed Sunday that he has been playing with separated ribs since Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Warriors.

“I don’t think it’s something that’s affecting my game,” Lillard said. “It’s there, but it’s not something that’s affecting anything that I’m doing. Obviously, you feel it, but that’s it.”

Lillard’s struggles are a big reason why Portland, down 3-0 to Golden State, would be eliminated with a Game 4 loss Monday. He’s averaging 20.3 points in the series on 32.6% shooting. Seemingly vexed by the Warriors’ repeated traps, Lillard has almost as many turnovers (14) as field goals (15).

In the first two rounds, he thrived attacking off the dribble, shooting 51% on drives to the rim. In the West finals, Lillard is shooting 22% on those plays.

He is 5-for-20 on 2-point attempts. In Game 3 on Saturday, Lillard missed all five of his attempts in the restricted area.

His offensive woes were at the root of Portland’s secondhalf problems. After intermission, he shot 3-for-12 from the field, accounting for nine of the Blazers’ 33 points.

“I mean, I tried to get aggressive,” Lillard said Saturday. “I tried to force the action. Both guys staying with me, and then Draymond (Green) is lurking behind them.

“You know, you go up against a wall of defense, sometimes it’s three defenders. It’s tough because you’re not always going to get a quality look, and then when you do get a quality look and don’t make it, that just kind of makes it worse.”

Added Green: “Like Klay (Thompson) said, we’ve got one more game to win, and we know Damian can get hot and change an entire series. We just have to stay locked in because we know he’s more than capable.”