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 prominent American professional basketball player currently with the Milwaukee Bucks. He gained recognition playing college basketball for Weber State, earning All-American honors in 2012. Drafted sixth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2012, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013. During his time with Portland, Lillard achieved remarkable success, including seven NBA All-Star selections, seven All-NBA Team selections, and becoming the franchise's all-time leading scorer.

Sections (4)

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

1968: Minutes played leader

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

1973: Career-High 51 Points and Record-Breaking Performance

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

1978: First Rookie With 35 Points, Nine Assists, Zero Turnovers

On March 8, 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.

1981: Western Conference Rookie of the Month Honors

In the 2012-2013 season, Damian 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 Claimed

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 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.

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).

1987: Fastest 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 Claimed

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

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

On December 12, in a loss to the New York Knicks, in 2015 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 30 Points in Four Consecutive Games

Two days after scoring a career-high 51 points against the Golden State Warriors, on February 21, 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: Notable Assist Record Since Jason Kidd

In the season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, Lillard recorded 23 points and 11 assists. His 11 assists were the most by an NBA rookie in his first game since Jason Kidd (11) in 1994.

1995: One of nine losses for Golden State Warriors

On February 19, 2016, Damian Lillard scored a career-high 51 points in a win over the Golden State Warriors. This would be the fifth of just nine losses all season for Golden State, who eventually went on to win 73 games, surpassing the 1995–96 Chicago Bulls for the winningest regular season of all-time.

1997: Buzzer-Beating Shot in NBA playoffs

In Game 6 of the series, in 2014 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. Lillard's 3-pointer as time expired gave Portland a 99–98 victory over Houston.

2004: Portland Franchise Leader

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: Broken All-Time NBA Rookie 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: NBA Rookie of the Year Award Claimed

2012: All-American Honors and NBA Draft

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

2012: 2,000th NBA Field Goal

On January 18, 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.

2014: Playoff Buzzer-Beater and All-NBA Third Team Selection

In 2014, Damian Lillard became the first player to make a buzzer-beating shot to win a playoff series since 1997. At the season's end, Lillard was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

February 8, 2015: NBA All-Star Game Selection

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: Fastest to 600 Career Three-Pointers

On October 28, 2015, Damian Lillard recorded 21 points and 11 assists. 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. Also on this date 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).

February 19, 2016: Career-High 51 Points and Record-Breaking Performance

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 on 13-of-20 shooting, along with 9 rebounds and 6 assists in a 113–104 victory over the Utah Jazz. With his first assist of the night, Lillard surpassed Jim Paxson for sixth on the franchise career list with a total of 2,008 assists.

2016: NBA 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: 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. During March, Lillard helped the Trail Blazers achieve an NBA-best record of 13–3, propelling them into eighth place in the Western Conference. Lillard's stats included ranking third in the NBA in scoring (29.1 ppg) and tying for fourth in three-pointers made (55).

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. This award recognizes a player who exemplifies excellence on the basketball court while maintaining cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and the public.

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

On October 28, 2017, Damian Lillard reached the 9,000-point milestone during the third quarter of a 114–107 win over the Phoenix Suns. In his 402nd career game, Lillard became the fastest player in Trail Blazers history to achieve this scoring feat.

2018: Placed 4th in the 2018 MVP Race

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

November 8, 2019: Career-high 60 points in loss to Brooklyn Nets

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

2019: Placed 6th in the 2019 MVP race

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

January 20, 2020: Surpassed career high with 61 points vs Golden State Warriors

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

2020: Olympic Gold Medal

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

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. Also in 2021, he was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.