Career Timeline of Damian Lillard: Major Achievements and Milestones

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

Damian Lillard, an American professional basketball player, is renowned as "Dame Time." He played college basketball at Weber State, earning All-American honors. Drafted sixth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012, he won NBA Rookie of the Year. A seven-time NBA All-Star and seven-time All-NBA Team selection, he became the Trail Blazers' all-time leading scorer before being traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. Lillard is also recognized as one of the NBA's premier three-point shooters, ranking fourth all-time in three-point field goals made as of the end of the 2024-25 season.

Sections (4)

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

1986: Trail Blazer Season with at least 1,500 points and 500 assists

In 2012, Lillard joined Oscar Robertson and Allen Iverson as the only rookies in NBA history to tally in excess of 1,500 points and 500 assists for a season. 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).

1987: Trail Blazer to Reach 1,500 Assists

On October 28, 2015, Lillard's 11 assists gave him 1,500 for his career, making him the fastest Trail Blazer to reach the milestone since Terry Porter (1987–88 season, 215 games).

1991: Trail Blazer Season with at least 1,500 points and 500 assists

1991: 30 Points in Four Consecutive Games

Two days later, in 2016, Lillard scored 30 points against the Utah Jazz, becoming the first Blazer to score at least 30 points in four consecutive games since Drexler accomplished the feat in 1991.

1997: Playoff Buzzer-Beating Shot

In 2014, in Game 6 of the series against the Houston Rockets, 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: Trail Blazers reach Western Conference Finals

In 2000, The Trail Blazers advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000.

2000: First Playoff Series Win

In 2014, Lillard's 3-pointer gave Portland a 99–98 victory over Houston, marking the Trail Blazers' first playoff series win since 2000.

2010: Big Sky Scoring Leader and Foot Injury

In 2010–11, Lillard led the Big Sky in scoring with 19.7 points per contest before suffering a foot injury ten games into the season that forced him to take a medical redshirt and sidelined him for the rest of the year.

December 3, 2011: Career-High 41 Points Against San Jose State

On December 3, 2011, Lillard scored a college career-high 41 points against San Jose State, including a game-clinching three-point play, leading Weber State to a 91–89 double-overtime win.

2012: All-American Honors and NBA Draft Selection

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

2012: Signed Sponsorship Deal with Adidas

In 2012, Damian Lillard signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with Adidas.

2012: Decision to Enter NBA Draft

In 2012, Lillard decided to skip his senior season to enter the NBA draft. He finished his college career as the No. 2 scorer in Weber State history (1,934 points) and the No. 5 scorer in Big Sky history.

2012: NBA Draft and Debut Performance

In 2012, Lillard was selected sixth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. In his NBA debut on October 31 against the Los Angeles Lakers, Lillard recorded 23 points and 11 assists, joining Oscar Robertson and Allen Iverson as the only players in NBA history with at least 20 points and 10 assists in their NBA debut.

2012: 2,000th NBA Field Goal

On January 18, in 2015, in a win over the Washington Wizards, 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, Lillard scored a career-high 43 points in a 129–119 triple-overtime win over the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.

2014: Negotiated New Contract with Adidas

In 2014, Damian Lillard negotiated a new contract with Adidas potentially worth $100 million over 10 years.

2014: NBA Playoffs Appearance and Buzzer-Beating Shot

In 2014, Lillard helped Portland finish fifth in the Western Conference. In Game 6 of the series against the Houston Rockets, Lillard made a buzzer-beating shot to win the playoff series, securing Portland's first playoff series win since 2000.

January 5, 2015: 39-Point Effort Against the Lakers

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

February 8, 2015: All-Star Game Selection

On February 8, 2015, 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, Lillard recorded a career-high 18 rebounds in a 98–93 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

July 9, 2015: $120 Million Contract Extension

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

July 2015: Released First Full Length Single "Soldier in the Game"

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

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October 28, 2015: 600th Career Three-Point Field Goal

On October 28, 2015, Lillard recorded 21 points and 11 assists in a season-opening win. His one three-pointer made during the game was his 600th career three-point field goal, making him the fastest NBA player in history to reach the mark at 247 games.

February 19, 2016: Career-High 51 Points

On February 19, 2016, Lillard scored a career-high 51 points in a 137–105 win over the Golden State Warriors and became the first player in NBA history to have at least 50 points, seven assists and six steals since the steal became an official statistic in 1973–74.

October 21, 2016: Released Debut Album "The Letter O"

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

October 25, 2016: Lillard scores 39 points in season opener win

On October 25, 2016, Damian Lillard scored 39 points, along with 9 rebounds and 6 assists, in the Trail Blazers' 113–104 victory over the Utah Jazz. He also passed Jim Paxson for sixth on the franchise career list with his first assist of the night.

April 3, 2017: Lillard named Western Conference Player of the Month

On April 3, 2017, Damian Lillard was named Western Conference Player of the Month for games played in March. During March, Lillard averaged 29.1 points per game, leading the Trail Blazers to an NBA-best 13-3 record.

May 2, 2017: Lillard wins Magic Johnson Award

On May 2, 2017, Damian Lillard was named the recipient of the Magic Johnson Award for the 2016–17 season. This award recognizes a player who combines excellence on the court with cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and the public.

October 6, 2017: Released Second Album "Confirmed"

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

October 28, 2017: Lillard reaches 9,000 career points

On October 28, 2017, Damian Lillard reached the 9,000-point milestone in a 114–107 win over the Phoenix Suns. He became the fastest Blazer to reach this milestone in 402 career games.

2017: Signed Sponsorship Deal with Powerade

In 2017, Damian Lillard signed a sponsorship deal with Powerade, a subsidiary of the Coca-Cola Company.

October 18, 2018: Lillard scores 28 points in season opener

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

August 9, 2019: Released Third Album "Big D.O.L.L.A."

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

November 8, 2019: Lillard records then career-high 60 points

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

2019: Signed Contract with Hulu

In 2019, Damian Lillard signed a contract with Hulu to promote the streaming service's new campaign of adding live sports to their repertoire.

January 20, 2020: Lillard scores career-high 61 points

On January 20, 2020, Damian Lillard scored a career-high 61 points, along with 10 rebounds and 7 assists, in an overtime win against the Golden State Warriors.

June 30, 2020: Selected as cover athlete for NBA 2K21

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

September 2020: Released Single "Kobe"

In September 2020, Damian Lillard released his single "Kobe", featuring Snoop Dogg and Derrick Milano, which is part of the soundtrack for NBA 2K21.

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2020: Became Co-Owner of Damian Lillard Toyota

In 2020, Damian Lillard, along with business partner Brian Sanders, became co-owner of a Toyota dealership, now known as Damian Lillard Toyota, in McMinnville, Oregon.

2020: Summer Olympics

In 2021, Lillard won a gold medal for the U.S. Olympic team in the 2020 Summer Olympics.

January 30, 2021: Season-high 44 points and game-winning three

On January 30, 2021, Damian Lillard scored a season-high 44 points, including a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, in 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 tied his career-high with 16 assists in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans, becoming one of only 12 players in NBA history to achieve 40 points and 15 assists in a single game.

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

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

2021: Olympic Gold Medal and NBA 75th Anniversary Team Selection

In 2021, Damian Lillard won a gold medal for the U.S. Olympic team in the 2020 Summer Olympics 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, marking 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 for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 39 points, a franchise record for a debut, and grabbing eight rebounds in a 118–117 season-opening victory.

2023: Trade to the Milwaukee Bucks

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

January 14, 2024: Game-winning three-pointer and 2,500 career three-pointers

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, becoming just the fifth player in NBA history to make at least 2,500 career three-pointers.

April 10, 2024: Featured in Mirror's single "Day 0"

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

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November 2, 2024: 41 points against Cavaliers

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