While playing during Ramadan this postseason, Enes Kanter hopes to be an example for those around the world. (AP)

Portland Trail Blazers center Enes Kanter is playing this postseason with an extra challenge: He’s doing so while observing Ramadan for the first time.

The Muslim holiday started last Sunday at sunset and runs through June 4 at sundown. Those observing the holiday fast from sunrise until sunset each day, abstaining completely from food and water, to commemorate the month that God began to reveal the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad.

Kanter has played basketball during Ramadan before, but never during the postseason. Kanter started observing Ramadan just before Game 5 of their Western Conference semifinals series against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, and is still fasting before Game 6 on Thursday night.

Even though the Blazers trail the Nuggets 3-2 in the series, and have to win on Thursday night to keep their series alive, Kanter is more than up for the extra challenge.

“Ramadan this year is different from any I’ve ever experienced because it coincides with the NBA playoffs,” Kanter wrote in the Washington Post on Thursday. “My team, the Portland Trail Blazers, face our possible elimination Thursday night in what will be one of the most important games I’ve ever played. This year I am testing the limitations of my bodily strength in a way I never have before. But I’ve also come to understand my potential and how inner strength can translate to triumph.”

Before Game 5 of their series against the Nuggets — Portland fell 124-98 at the Pepsi Center — Kanter said his teammates “watched eagerly” as he finally broke his fast just before the game, taking a painkiller for his injured shoulder and eating six peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

“They started asking me questions and joking that I was going to throw up,” Kanter wrote. “I laughed and told them to get out on the floor and start warming up and that I’d join after I was done eating. I actually felt great.”

Kanter isn’t the first NBA player to play during Ramadan, and he won’t be the last. Though the focus will certainly be on how he fairs on the court Thursday night and throughout the rest of playoffs while observing Ramadan, Kanter wants it to be about more than that.

“More than anything, I want to be an example for children everywhere, showing them that you can thrive when challenged — fasting for Ramadan, for instance, but also going all out in the NBA playoffs,” Kanter wrote.

“This year, more than ever, I’ve come to welcome the quiet darkness each morning during Ramadan. I try to give all I have to my faith each day, and all I have to my game and my team each night. Resilience is born out of the challenges we choose to meet. We all have limitations but also great potential.”

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