Damian Lillard's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Damian Lillard. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Damian Lillard, nicknamed "Dame Time", is a professional basketball player currently with the Milwaukee Bucks. He previously played college basketball for Weber State, earning All-American honors. Drafted sixth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year. During his time with the Trail Blazers, he achieved seven NBA All-Star selections, seven All-NBA Team selections, and became the franchise's all-time leading scorer before being traded to the Bucks.

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

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

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

March 1971: Geoff Petrie's Record of 30.4 points

In February 2018, Damian Lillard averaged 31.4 points per game, clinching the highest-scoring average for any month in Portland history. In February 2018, he passed Geoff Petrie's record of 30.4 points which was set in March 1971.

1973: First player with 50 points, seven assists and six steals since 1973-74

On February 19, 2015, Damian Lillard scored a career-high 51 points. He 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.

1978: First NBA rookie with 35 points, nine assists and zero turnovers since 1978-79

Damian Lillard became the first NBA rookie to record 35 points, nine assists and zero turnovers in a game since turnovers became a stat in 1978–79 against the San Antonio Spurs on March 8.

1981: Earning Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors

Damian Lillard earned Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors every month, becoming one of just eight players to sweep NBA Rookie of the Month honors since the inaugural award in 1981–82.

1984: Comparison to Ralph Sampson

With averages of 19.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.90 steals, and 38.6 minutes in 82 games (all starting), Lillard claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award and joined Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990), and Ralph Sampson (1984) as the only unanimous winners.

1986: Comparison to Clyde Drexler

Damian 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: Fastest Trail Blazer to reach 1,500 assists since Terry Porter

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 in the 1987–88 season (215 games).

1990: Comparison to David Robinson

1991: Comparison to Clyde Drexler

1991: First Blazer since Clyde Drexler to record 600 points and 150 assists

On December 12, in a loss to the New York Knicks, Lillard became the first Blazer since Clyde Drexler in 1991–92 to record 600 points and 150 assists during the team's first 25 games.

1991: First Blazer to score at least 30 points in four consecutive games since Drexler

On February 21, 2015, Damian 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.

1994: Most assists by an NBA rookie in his first game since Jason Kidd

In the season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, Damian Lillard recorded 11 assists, the most by an NBA rookie in his first game since Jason Kidd also had 11 assists in 1994.

1997: First Buzzer-Beater to Win a Playoff Series since John Stockton

In Game 6 of the series against the Houston Rockets in 2014, 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: Trail Blazers' First Playoff Series Win Since 2000

In 2014, Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers to their first playoff series win since 2000 with a buzzer-beating shot against the Houston Rockets.

2004: Breaking Damon Stoudamire's record

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: Breaking Stephen Curry's record

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.

2011: Comparison to Blake Griffin

2012: Third-team All-American honors

In 2012, Damian Lillard earned third-team All-American honors while playing college basketball for the Weber State Wildcats. He was later drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers with the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft.

2012: One of only eight players to reach 2000 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 Against San Antonio Spurs

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: Playoff Series Win and All-NBA Third Team Selection

In 2014, Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers to their first playoff series win since 2000 with a buzzer-beating shot against the Houston Rockets. He was also named to the All-NBA Third Team at the season's end.

February 8, 2015: Selection for the 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.

October 28, 2015: 600th career three-point field goal

On October 28, 2015, Damian Lillard recorded 21 points and 11 assists in a season-opening win over the New Orleans Pelicans. 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.

2015: Franchise record of 229 3-pointers set

In April 2019, Damian Lillard passed his franchise record of 229 3-pointers which he originally set in the 2015-16 season, and reached 1,500 for his career.

October 25, 2016: 39 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists vs. Utah Jazz

On October 25, 2016, Damian Lillard recorded 39 points on 13-of-20 shooting, along with 9 rebounds and 6 assists in a 113–104 win over the Utah Jazz. With his first assist of the night, Lillard passed Jim Paxson for sixth on the franchise career list with 2,008 assists.

2016: Finished 8th in the 2016 MVP Race

In the 2016 MVP Race, Damian Lillard finished 8th in total points received, scoring 26 points out of a possible 1310 points.

April 3, 2017: 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 ranked third in the NBA in scoring (29.1 ppg) and tied for fourth in three-pointers made (55) to go with 6.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.44 steals in 16 games, leading the Trail Blazers to an NBA-best 13–3 record.

May 2, 2017: Recipient of the Magic Johnson Award

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

October 28, 2017: Reaches 9,000-point Milestone

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

2018: Named Western Conference Player of the Week

On April 1, 2019, Damian Lillard was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the week ending March 31, marking the seventh weekly honor of his career and the first of the 2018–19 season.

November 8, 2019: Career-high 60 points vs. Brooklyn Nets

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.

2019: Placed 6th in the MVP race

In 2019, Damian Lillard placed 6th in the MVP race, receiving 69 of the 1,010 available points.

January 20, 2020: 61 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists versus Warriors

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

June 30, 2020: Lillard Selected as NBA 2K21 Cover Athlete

On June 30, 2020, Damian Lillard was chosen to be the cover athlete for NBA 2K21, marking a significant achievement in his career and crossover appeal.

2020: Summer Olympics

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

February 17, 2021: Lillard Scores 43 Points and Ties Career-High 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 40 points and 15 assists in a single game.

2021: Lillard Sets Playoff Career-High

During Game 5 of the 2021 playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Damian Lillard scored a playoff career-high 55 points, including a record 12 three-pointers, along with 10 assists; despite his efforts, the Nuggets won in double overtime.

2021: Gold Medal and NBA 75th Anniversary Team Selection

In 2021, Damian Lillard won a gold medal for the U.S. Olympic team at the 2020 Summer Olympics and was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

January 12, 2023: Lillard Scores Season-High 50 Points

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

October 26, 2023: Lillard Makes Bucks Debut

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

January 14, 2024: Lillard Scores Game-Winning Three-Pointer

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