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, 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

1968: NBA leader in total minutes played

In 2012, 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 scoring record

In March 1971, Geoff Petrie averaged 30.4 points.

1973: NBA History Milestone

On February 19, 2016, Lillard scored a career-high 51 points in a 137–105 win over the Golden State Warriors. 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.

1977: Bill Walton Earned All-NBA First Team honors

In 1977, Bill Walton earned All-NBA First Team honors.

1978: Rookie Performance Record

On March 8, in 2012, 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.

1981: Western Conference Rookie of the Month Honors

In 2012, Lillard earned Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors for every month, becoming one of just eight players to sweep NBA Rookie of the Month honors since the inaugural award in 1981–82.

1984: NBA Rookie of the Year Award

In 2012, With averages of 19.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.90 steals, and 38.6 minutes in 82 games, Lillard not only claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award but joined Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990), and Ralph Sampson (1984) as the only unanimous winners.

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).

1990: NBA Rookie of the Year Award

1991: Drexler ranked among league's five best in scoring

In 1991, Drexler finished fourth during the season with 25.0 points.

1991: Blazer Record 600 points and 150 assists

On December 12, in 2015, 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: 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.

1994: Rookie Assist Record

In 2012, Lillard's 11 assists in his NBA debut were the most by an NBA rookie in his first game since Jason Kidd (11) in 1994.

2004: Trail Blazer franchise leader for most 3-point field goals in a season

In 2012, 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: NBA rookie record for 3-pointers in a season

In 2012, 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: NBA Rookie of the Year Award

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: 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.

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.

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.

2015: Franchise record set for 3-pointers

In 2015, Lillard set a franchise record of 229 3-pointers in the 2015–16 season.

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.

2016: NBA MVP Race

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

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 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.

2018: Lillard Places 4th in MVP Race

In 2018, Damian Lillard placed 4th in the NBA MVP Race, winning 207.0 of the 1010 possible points.

2018: Lillard named Western Conference Player of the Week

In 2018, Damian Lillard was named Western Conference Player of the Week for the week ending March 31.

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: Lillard placed 6th in MVP race

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

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.

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.

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.

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.