“It’s Already Bad”: Goran Dragic on His Injury as He Played Game 6 in ‘Extreme’ Pain
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USA Today via Reuters
Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic passes the ball during warmups before game six of the 2020 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Pain is temporary, but pride is forever. Perhaps the Miami Heat are trying their best to do justice to this inspiring expression. The underdogs have upset the Lakers not once, but twice in the NBA Finals. They’ve succumbed to injuries, faced a brutal media, and other hardships. However, they’ve shown the resilience to still show up no matter the obstacle.
The most recent addition to their show of willpower came when Goran Dragic suddenly got cleared for Game 6. The 34-year-old guard is one of the few experienced pieces in the Heat’s roster. But was he really fit to play in the high tension Game 6?
Whatever. It. Takes.
🐉🐉🐉🐉🐉 pic.twitter.com/RC2knZ0tsp
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 12, 2020
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Goran Dragic and his unflinching attitude
The onetime NBA All-star is playing in his career’s fourth post-season, and his third with the Heat. He was averaging a career-high 19.9 points, 4 rebs, 4.6 assists, and 1 steal per game until he got himself injured in Game 1 against the Lakers. He had a torn left plantar fascia and was out for back-to-back four games.
To everyone’s surprise, Dragic showed up for the do-or-die Game 6.
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Miami's Goran Dragic has been determined to find a way to play in these NBA Finals with plantar fascia tear in his left foot — and source says he's been told the injury can't worsen by playing. Pain has been extreme, and he hadn't been able to put much pressure on foot.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 11, 2020
When asked about his injury trouble, Dragic proudly stated, “I snapped it, so it’s already bad that it is. I don’t want to be a liability on the floor for my team.”
Goran Dragic, on whether playing could exacerbate his injury, "I snapped it, so it's already bad that it is." And, "I don't want to be a liability on the floor for my team."
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) October 5, 2020
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To put things into perspective, Goran’s injury wasn’t one that heals easily. In fact, it can take weeks of rest for someone to recover from such a painful and chronic injury. The fact that he could muster the courage to make a comeback despite his pain deserves respect.
Miami Heat failed to have a good start against the Lakers in Game 6
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Until half time, Goran played for close to six minutes. In that time, he scored 2 points and 1 rebound at an FG% of 33.33. This was strikingly different from the experienced player fans had seen in the post-season thus far. Goran could not put much pressure on his injured foot, and that reflected in his game.
The Lakers finally found a way to restrict a high-flying, undeterred Jimmy Butler. The man who had 19 points in the first half of Game 3 could add only 8 points in the first half of Game 6. At one point, the Lakers were leading 64-34 with a margin of 30. The Lakers totally swept away the Heat!
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