Portland Trail Blazers lost to the Toronto Raptors 104-110 in the scrimmage. However, there were some positive takeaways for the Blazers to keep their head high. Center Jusuf Nurkic and guard CJ McCollum posted 21 and 17 points, respectively. Jusuf, however, strongly feels that it is Damian Lillard who drives the team.

The Big Dame could not play in the match because of his foot injury. The Blazers, 29-37, are trailing at #9 in the Western Conference. A lot will have to fall in place for them to make it into the playoffs. The most crucial will be Damian Lillard’s performance. They have their next scrimmage against the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Jusuf Nurkic shows confidence in Damian Lillard

The 7’0” Bosnian player accepted that he left a little too much space for Pascal Siakam to show his game. But he also looked confident about their chances. When a reporter asked him about their playoff chances, he replied without hesitation, “I mean there’s just one man, Damian Lillard. So I don’t care which team you’re. If you have a name, you have a chance. Simple as that.”

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This is the trust any player seeks from their teammate to perform at the highest level. Jusuf himself is averaging 15.6 points per game with an FG of over 50%. Those are some good numbers.

Is Dame coming to lift the Portland Trail Blazers?

Blazers head coach Terry Stotts looked positive about the return of Damian in the final scrimmage. He told Yahoo, “He did have an X-ray. The X-ray was negative. He just has some inflammation.” The coach further added, “I don’t expect it to be a long-term deal. Hopefully, he’ll be able to play our last scrimmage.”

Dame has turned 30-YO and has spent eight long years in the NBA. He is now averaging 28.9 ppg in the regular season and is counted amongst the best. He spoke to The Athletic where he said, “You know, I just turned 30 and I still feel young, and I am young, you know? But I’m just to that point where, you know, I’ve done just about everything. Off the court I’ve done a lot … and I’ve done a lot on the court: five-time All-Star, this year most likely be five-times All-NBA, I’m having my best year statistically.”

Will he become an MVP or win a championship is yet to be seen. But his mentality is of winning it all. The Blazers made it to Western Conference finals in 2018-19 but failed to cross the barrier. Let us see how far can Damian push this side in Orlando Bubble.

NBA season restarts on July 30th while the Portland Trail Blazers play their first regular game against the Memphis Grizzlies on July 31st 4:00 PM ET

Read also: “Leave the ‘Experts’ Alone”: Damian Lillard Reacts to ESPN’s Best Players Inside the Bubble List

Sources: Portland Trail Blazers – YouTube, The Athlectic, Yahoo News, NBA.com