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 for the Portland Trail Blazers and the general manager of the Weber State Wildcats men's basketball program. He played college basketball for Weber State, earning All-American honors. Drafted sixth overall by the Trail Blazers in 2012, he was named NBA Rookie of the Year in 2013. A nine-time NBA All-Star and seven-time All-NBA Team selection, Lillard is the Trail Blazers' all-time leading scorer. By the end of the 2024-25 season, he ranked fourth in NBA history for three-point field goals made, solidifying his status as one of the league's premier players.

Sections (4)

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

1968: Rookie Leading in Total Minutes Played

In 2012, Damian Lillard became the first rookie to lead the NBA in total minutes played (3,167) since Elvin Hayes in 1968–69.

1973: 51 Points and 7 Assists

On February 19, 2016, Damian 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.

1978: NBA Rookie with 35 Points

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 Rookie of the Month Honors

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

1984: Unanimous Rookie of the Year Award

With averages of 19.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 0.90 steals, and 38.6 minutes in 82 games (all starting), Damian Lillard claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award in 2012, joining Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990), and Ralph Sampson (1984) as the only unanimous winners.

1986: 1,500 Points and 500 Assists

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 in 2012. 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: 1,500 Career 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: Unanimous Rookie of the Year Award

1991: 1,500 Points and 500 Assists

1991: Scoring Streak

Two days later, in 2016, 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: NBA Rookie with Most Assists

In the season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, Damian Lillard recorded 23 points and 11 assists to join Oscar Robertson and Allen Iverson as the only players in NBA history with at least 20 points and 10 assists in their NBA debut. In addition, his 11 assists were the most by an NBA rookie in his first game since Jason Kidd (11) in 1994

1995: 5th Loss for Golden State Warriors

On February 19, 2016, Damian Lillard scored a career-high 51 points in a 137–105 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 Game 6 of the series 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: Playoff Series Win

In Game 6 of the series in 2014, Damian Lillard's 3-pointer as time expired gave Portland a 99–98 victory over Houston, as he finished with 25 points to lift the Trail Blazers to their first playoff series win since 2000.

2004: Franchise Leader for 3-Point Field Goals

In 2012, 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: NBA Rookie Record for 3-Pointers

In 2012, 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: Unanimous Rookie of the Year Award

2012: NBA Draft and All-American Honors

In 2012, Damian Lillard earned third-team All-American honors. 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, 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 Selection

In 2014, Damian Lillard started all 82 games for the second straight year, averaging 20.7 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds per game, leading Portland to a 54–28 record and a first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. He was named to the All-NBA Third Team at the season's end.

February 8, 2015: Selected for the 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.

October 28, 2015: Fastest to 600 Career Three-Pointers

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.

February 19, 2016: Career-High 51 Points Against Golden State Warriors

October 25, 2016: 39 Points in Season Opener

On October 25, 2016, in the Trail Blazers' season opener, Damian Lillard scored 39 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in a 113–104 victory over the Utah Jazz. During the game, Lillard also surpassed Jim Paxson for sixth on the franchise career list with his 2,008th assist.

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 his performance in March. During March 2017, he averaged 29.1 points per game, along with 6.0 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.44 steals, 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. This award recognizes 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 Career Points

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

November 8, 2019: Career-High 60 Points

On November 8, 2019, Damian Lillard recorded a then career-high 60 points in a game against the Brooklyn Nets, though the Trail Blazers lost the game 115–119.

2019: 6th place in the 2019 MVP race

In 2019, Damian Lillard placed 6th in the MVP race, receiving 69 of the 1,010 available points. The 2019 season was another one filled with milestones for the star point guard.

January 20, 2020: 61 Points Against Golden State Warriors

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

June 30, 2020: Cover Athlete for NBA 2K21

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

September 2020: Release of Kobe and inclusion in NBA 2K21

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

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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: 43 Points and Career-High 16 Assists

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

2021: Playoff Career-High 55 Points

During Game 5 of the first round of the 2021 playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Lillard scored a playoff career-high 55 points with 12 made three-pointers and 10 assists; however, the Nuggets won in double-overtime. In Game 6 of 2021, Lillard had 29 points and 13 assists, but the Blazers lost to Denver sending Portland home in the First Round.

2021: Olympic Gold Medal and NBA 75th Anniversary Team

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: Then Season-High 50 Points Against Cleveland 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.