Career Timeline of Damian Lillard: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Damian Lillard made an impact.

Damian Lillard, nicknamed "Dame Time," is a celebrated American professional basketball player currently with the Portland Trail Blazers. A former Weber State standout, where he earned All-American honors, Lillard was drafted sixth overall by Portland in 2012, subsequently earning NBA Rookie of the Year. A nine-time NBA All-Star and seven-time All-NBA Team selection, he's the Trail Blazers' all-time leading scorer. Beyond his on-court achievements, Lillard also serves as the general manager of the Weber State Wildcats men’s basketball program. By the end of the 2024-25 season, Lillard was fourth in all-time three-point field goals made, solidifying his legacy as a premier scorer.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1968: First rookie to lead the NBA in total minutes played

Damian Lillard became the first rookie to lead the NBA in total minutes played (3,167) since Elvin Hayes in 1968-69.

1984: Unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year

Damian Lillard not only claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, but he joined Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990), and Ralph Sampson (1984) as the only unanimous winners.

1986: Fourth Trail Blazer to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors

Damian Lillard became the fourth Trail Blazer in franchise history to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors, and one of two to ever finish a season with at least 1,500 points and 500 assists (the other being Clyde Drexler in 1986-87 and 1991-92).

1990: Unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year

Damian Lillard not only claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, but he joined Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990), and Ralph Sampson (1984) as the only unanimous winners.

1991: Fourth Trail Blazer to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors

1997: First player to make a buzzer-beating shot

In Game 6 of the 2014 playoff series, Damian Lillard became the first player to make a buzzer-beating shot to win a playoff series since Utah's John Stockton against Houston in 1997.

2000: Playoff series win

In 2014 Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers to their first playoff series win since 2000.

2004: Portland franchise leader for most 3-point field goals

Damian Lillard became the Portland franchise leader for most 3-point field goals in a season, breaking Damon Stoudamire's record of 181 in 2004-05.

2009: Broke all-time NBA rookie record for 3-pointers

Damian Lillard broke the all-time NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in a season (185), surpassing Stephen Curry's 166 three-pointers in 2009-10.

2010: Led Big Sky in Scoring

In 2010-11, Damian Lillard led the Big Sky in scoring with 19.7 points before suffering a foot injury that sidelined him for the rest of the year.

December 3, 2011: Career-High 41 Points

On December 3, 2011, Damian Lillard scored a college career-high 41 points against San Jose State, including a game-clinching three-point play.

2011: Unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year

Damian Lillard not only claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, but he joined Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990), and Ralph Sampson (1984) as the only unanimous winners.

2012: Enters NBA Draft

In 2012, Damian Lillard decided to skip his senior season and enter the NBA draft, finishing his college career as the No. 2 scorer in Weber State history.

2012: All-American honors and NBA draft

In 2012, Damian Lillard earned third-team All-American honors and was selected by the Trail Blazers with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft.

2012: Drafted by Portland Trail Blazers

In 2012, Damian Lillard was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft.

2012: Reached 2,000 NBA field goals

On January 18, 2015, in a win over the Washington Wizards, Damian Lillard hit his 2,000th NBA field goal, one of only eight players to reach that mark since he entered the league in 2012–13.

December 19, 2014: Career-High 43 Points

On December 19, 2014, Damian Lillard scored a career-high 43 points in a 129–119 triple-overtime win over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.

2014: NBA Playoffs and All-NBA Third Team

In 2014, Damian Lillard played in his first NBA playoffs, helped the Trail Blazers win their first playoff series since 2000, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

January 5, 2015: 39-point effort against the Los Angeles Lakers

On January 5, 2015, Damian Lillard had a 39-point effort against the Los Angeles Lakers.

February 8, 2015: Selected for 2015 NBA All-Star Game

On February 8, 2015, Damian Lillard was selected as a replacement for the injured Blake Griffin in the 2015 NBA All-Star Game.

March 4, 2015: Career-high 18 rebounds

On March 4, 2015, Damian Lillard recorded a career-high 18 rebounds in a 98–93 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

July 9, 2015: Signed contract extension with Trail Blazers

On July 9, 2015, Damian Lillard signed a five-year, $120 million contract extension with the Trail Blazers.

July 2015: First Single Release

In July 2015, Damian Lillard released his first full-length single, "Soldier in the Game", via SoundCloud.

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October 28, 2015: Fastest player to 600 career three-point field goals

On October 28, 2015, Damian Lillard became the fastest NBA player to reach 600 career three-point field goals at 247 games. Also reached 1,500 career assists, the fastest Trail Blazer since Terry Porter.

October 21, 2016: Debut Album Release

On October 21, 2016, Damian Lillard released his debut album, The Letter O.

October 25, 2016: 39 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in win over Utah Jazz

On October 25, 2016, in the Trail Blazers' season opener, Damian Lillard scored 39 points, secured 9 rebounds, and made 6 assists in a 113-104 victory against the Utah Jazz. Also on October 25, 2016, he surpassed Jim Paxson for the sixth position on the franchise's career list with his first assist of the night.

April 3, 2017: Named Western Conference Player of the Month

On April 3, 2017, Damian Lillard was named Western Conference Player of the Month for his performance in March, where he led the Trail Blazers to a league-best 13-3 record, averaging 29.1 points and contributing significantly in other key statistical areas.

May 2, 2017: Recipient of the Magic Johnson Award

On May 2, 2017, Damian Lillard was awarded the Magic Johnson Award for the 2016-17 season. The award recognized him for combining excellence on the basketball court with cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and public.

October 6, 2017: Second Album Release

On October 6, 2017, Damian Lillard released his second album, Confirmed.

October 28, 2017: Reaches 9,000 career points

On October 28, 2017, Damian Lillard reached the 9,000-point milestone during the third quarter of a game against the Phoenix Suns, becoming the fastest Trail Blazer to reach this mark in 402 career games.

October 18, 2018: 28 points in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers

On October 18, 2018, Damian Lillard scored a game-high 28 points in the Trail Blazers' 128-119 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

August 9, 2019: Third Album Release

On August 9, 2019, Damian Lillard released his third album, Big D.O.L.L.A., which featured Lil Wayne, Mozzy, and Jeremih.

November 8, 2019: Scores a then career-high 60 points

On November 8, 2019, Damian Lillard recorded a then career-high 60 points, though it came in a loss to the Brooklyn Nets, 115-119.

January 20, 2020: Scores career-high 61 points

On January 20, 2020, Damian Lillard surpassed his previous career-high by scoring 61 points, along with 10 rebounds and 7 assists, leading to a 129-124 overtime win against the Golden State Warriors.

June 30, 2020: Cover Athlete for NBA 2K21

On June 30, 2020, Damian Lillard was selected as the cover athlete for NBA 2K21.

September 2020: Release of "Kobe"

In September 2020, Lillard's single "Kobe", featuring Snoop Dogg and Derrick Milano, was released as part of the soundtrack for NBA 2K21, dedicated to Kobe Bryant.

2020: Participated in 2020 Summer Olympics

In 2020, Damian Lillard played for the U.S. Olympic team in the Summer Olympics.

January 30, 2021: Season-High 44 Points and Game-Winning Buzzer Beater

On January 30, 2021, Damian Lillard achieved a season-high of 44 points, including a game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer, leading his team to a 123–122 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

February 17, 2021: 43 Points and Career-High 16 Assists

On February 17, 2021, Damian Lillard scored 43 points and matched his career-high with 16 assists in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans, becoming one of only 12 players in NBA history to reach at least 40 points and 15 assists in a single game.

November 20, 2021: Season-High 39 Points Against the 76ers

On November 20, 2021, Damian Lillard scored a season-high 39 points, along with 7 assists and 3 blocks, leading to a 118–111 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

2021: Olympic Gold Medal and NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Damian Lillard won a gold medal for the U.S. Olympic team and was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

January 12, 2023: Season-High 50 Points Against Cavaliers

On January 12, 2023, Damian Lillard scored a then season-high 50 points in a 119–113 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was his 15th career game with 50 or more points.

September 27, 2023: Traded to the Milwaukee Bucks

On September 27, 2023, Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-team trade.

October 26, 2023: Bucks Debut with Franchise Record

On October 26, 2023, Damian Lillard made his debut with the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 39 points, a franchise record for a debut, in a 118–117 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers.

2023: Traded to the Milwaukee Bucks

In 2023, Damian Lillard was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks after requesting a trade.

January 14, 2024: Game-Winning Three-Pointer vs Kings

On January 14, 2024, Damian Lillard scored 29 points, including a buzzer-beating, game-winning three-pointer and added eight assists in a 143–142 overtime win over the Sacramento Kings.

April 10, 2024: Featured in "Day 0"

On April 10, 2024, Damian Lillard was featured in Hong Kong boy group Mirror's single "Day 0".

November 2, 2024: 41 Points in Loss to Cavaliers

On November 2, 2024, Damian Lillard scored 41 points with nine assists and shot 10 of 15 from 3-point range in a 114–113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2024: All-Star Game MVP and NBA Cup Win

In 2024, during his first season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard was named the All-Star Game MVP and won the NBA Cup.

January 30, 2025: Named All-Star Reserve

On January 30, 2025, Damian Lillard was named as a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, marking his ninth selection.

July 6, 2025: Waived by the Bucks

On July 6, 2025, the Bucks announced they had waived Damian Lillard, stretching the remaining $103 million left on his deal.

July 19, 2025: Signed with the Trail Blazers

On July 19, 2025, the Trail Blazers signed Damian Lillard to a three-year, $42 million deal, marking his return to the franchise after previously spending 11 seasons with the team.

August 2, 2025: Named GM of Weber State Basketball Program

On August 2, 2025, Damian Lillard, unlikely to play during the 2025–26 NBA season due to recovery, was introduced as the new general manager of the men's basketball program at his alma mater, Weber State.

2025: Achilles injury and rejoins Trail Blazers

In 2025, after suffering an Achilles injury during the playoffs, Damian Lillard was released by the Bucks and rejoined the Trail Blazers on a three-year deal.

February 14, 2026: Three-Point Contest Win

On February 14, 2026, Damian Lillard won the Three-Point Contest at the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, despite not having played a game in the NBA all season, tying Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for the most Three-Point Contest titles in NBA history with three.