Lillard Sidelined For Game 5

The Portland Trail Blazers faced an uphill battle in qualifying for the playoffs, just for the opportunity to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round.

Now, Portland faces a 3-1 deficit in the series, and its uphill trek to make a dramatic comeback just got even steeper. 

Blazers superstar Damian Lillard suffered a right knee sprain in the third quarter of Game 4, and while he tried to play throuugh the injury, he was forced to leave the game and did not return.

He received an MRI on the knee immediately after the game, but the results were inconclusive, which prompted a second MRI on Tuesday afternoon.

Now, the Blazers will have to stave off elimination without their franchise player – and it wouldn't be in just Game 5, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports, who Tuesday reported that Lillard most likely would not return in the series if the Blazers forced a Game 6 or 7.

Lillard entered the playoffs as the hottest player in the Orlando bubble, and after averaging 37.6 points during seeding play, he was named Bubble MVP.

But during Portland's first round matchup against the Lakers, it's been tough sledding for the All-Star point guard.

Lillard's scoring average is down to 24.3 points against the Lakers, and he's shooting just 39.8% from the field.

He also suffered a dislocated left index finger in Game 2.

The Blazers tip-off against the Lakers on Wednesday night at 9 p.m. ET.

We'll see if the MVP will live to fight another day in the bubble, or if his time in Orlando will come to an end on Thursday.