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 celebrated American professional basketball player currently with the Portland Trail Blazers. A former Weber State standout, where he earned All-American honors, Lillard was drafted sixth overall by Portland in 2012, subsequently earning NBA Rookie of the Year. A nine-time NBA All-Star and seven-time All-NBA Team selection, he's the Trail Blazers' all-time leading scorer. Beyond his on-court achievements, Lillard also serves as the general manager of the Weber State Wildcats men’s basketball program. By the end of the 2024-25 season, Lillard was fourth in all-time three-point field goals made, solidifying his legacy as a premier scorer.

Sections (4)

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

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

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

1973: First player in NBA history with at least 50 points

On February 19, 2015, Damian Lillard 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 rookie with 35 points, nine assists and zero turnovers

On March 8, 2012, 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.

1981: Western Conference Rookie of the Month

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

1984: Unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year

Damian Lillard not only claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, but he 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 milestone

On October 28, 2015, Damian Lillard had 11 assists giving 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 NBA Rookie of the Year

Damian Lillard not only claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, but he joined Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990), and Ralph Sampson (1984) as the only unanimous winners.

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, 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: First Blazer to score at least 30 points

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 a rookie in debut since Jason Kidd

In the season opener on October 31, 2012, Damian Lillard recorded 11 assists, the most by an NBA rookie in his first game since Jason Kidd (11) in 1994.

1995: Defeat over Golden State Warriors

On February 19, 2015, 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.

2000: Playoff series win

In 2014 Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers to their first playoff series win since 2000.

2004: Portland franchise leader for most 3-point field goals

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: Broke all-time NBA rookie record for 3-pointers

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.

December 3, 2011: Career-High 41 Points

On December 3, 2011, Damian Lillard scored a college career-high 41 points against San Jose State, including a game-clinching three-point play.

2011: Unanimous NBA Rookie of the Year

Damian Lillard not only claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, but he joined Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990), and Ralph Sampson (1984) as the only unanimous winners.

2012: All-American honors and NBA draft

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

2012: Reached 2,000 NBA 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

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

In 2014, Damian Lillard played in his first NBA playoffs, helped the Trail Blazers win their first playoff series since 2000, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team.

February 8, 2015: Selected for 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.

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 player to 600 career three-point field goals

On October 28, 2015, Damian Lillard became the fastest NBA player to reach 600 career three-point field goals at 247 games. Also reached 1,500 career assists, the fastest Trail Blazer since Terry Porter.

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, secured 9 rebounds, and made 6 assists in a 113-104 victory against the Utah Jazz. Also on October 25, 2016, he surpassed Jim Paxson for the sixth position on the franchise's career list with his first assist of the night.

2016: Finished 8th in total points received 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: 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, where he led the Trail Blazers to a league-best 13-3 record, averaging 29.1 points and contributing significantly in other key statistical areas.

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. The award recognized him for combining excellence on the basketball court with cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and public.

October 28, 2017: Reaches 9,000 career points

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

2018: Finished 4th in MVP race

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

November 8, 2019: Scores a then career-high 60 points

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: Finished 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: Scores career-high 61 points

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

June 30, 2020: Cover Athlete for NBA 2K21

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

2020: Participated in 2020 Summer Olympics

In 2020, Damian Lillard played for the U.S. Olympic team in the Summer Olympics.

January 30, 2021: Season-High 44 Points and Game-Winning Buzzer Beater

On January 30, 2021, Damian Lillard achieved a season-high of 44 points, including a game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer, leading his team to 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 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 at least 40 points and 15 assists in a single game.

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

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

2021: Olympic Gold Medal and NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Damian Lillard won a gold medal for the U.S. Olympic team 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. It was 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 with the Milwaukee Bucks, scoring 39 points, a franchise record for a debut, in a 118–117 victory against the Philadelphia 76ers.

January 14, 2024: Game-Winning Three-Pointer vs Kings

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.

2024: Ranks fourth on NBA's all-time list

As of the end of the 2024-25 season, Damian Lillard ranked fourth on the NBA's all-time list of three-point field goals made, with 2,804.

2024: All-Star Game MVP and NBA Cup Win

In 2024, during his first season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard was named the All-Star Game MVP and won the NBA Cup.

January 30, 2025: Named All-Star Reserve

On January 30, 2025, Damian Lillard was named as a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, marking his ninth selection.

February 14, 2026: Three-Point Contest Win

On February 14, 2026, Damian Lillard won the Three-Point Contest at the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, despite not having played a game in the NBA all season, tying Larry Bird and Craig Hodges for the most Three-Point Contest titles in NBA history with three.