The Trail Blazers have weathered the storm created by Jusuf Nurkic’s absence due to injury. Despite losing the linchpin to its defense, Portland has pushed its way to Game 7 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Regardless of the gruesome nature of his injury, it is clear that Nurkic yearns to join his teammates on the court.
After securing a victory in Game 6, Zac Al-Khateeb of Sporting News captured a quote from Damian Lillard that encapsulated Nurkic’s desire to get back on the court. According to Lillard, the Bosnian Beast told him he is willing to risk re-injuring himself for chance to face his former team.