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 an American professional basketball player for the Portland Trail Blazers. He also serves as general manager for the Weber State Wildcats men's basketball team. A former Weber State Wildcat himself, where he earned All-American honors, Lillard was drafted sixth overall by Portland in 2012, becoming NBA Rookie of the Year (2012-13). He is a nine-time NBA All-Star, a seven-time All-NBA Team selection, and the Trail Blazers’ all-time leading scorer. He also ranks fourth in NBA history in three-point field goals made, totaling 2,804 by the end of the 2024-2025 season.

Sections (4)

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

1968: Rookie Leader in Minutes Played

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 averaged 30.4 points in the month

In March 1971, Geoff Petrie set a record of averaging 30.4 points for any month in Portland's history.

1973: Career-High 51 Points Against Warriors

On February 19, 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: 35 Points, 9 Assists, and 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, in a game against the San Antonio Spurs.

1981: Western Conference Rookie of the Month Honors

In 2012, 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 award's inception in 1981-82.

1984: Rookie of the Year Award

Damian Lillard claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award for the 2012-13 season. This achievement put Lillard in company with other unanimous winners like Blake Griffin (2011), David Robinson (1990), and Ralph Sampson who won it in 1984.

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. 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: Rookie of the Year Award

1991: 1,500 Points and 500 Assists

1991: First Blazer Since Clyde Drexler with 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: 30 Points in Four Consecutive Games

On February 21, 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 Rookie in Debut

In the 2012 season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, Damian Lillard recorded 11 assists, making him the player with the most assists by an NBA rookie in his first game since Jason Kidd also had 11 assists in 1994.

2000: Playoff Series Win

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

2004: Franchise Leader for 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: 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.

2011: Rookie of the Year Award

Damian Lillard claimed the NBA Rookie of the Year Award for the 2012-13 season. This achievement put Lillard in company with other unanimous winners like Blake Griffin who won it in 2011, David Robinson (1990), and Ralph Sampson (1984).

2012: All-American Honors and NBA Draft

In 2012, Damian Lillard earned third-team All-American honors for his performance in college basketball with Weber State. He was later 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, 2016, 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.

2014: NBA Playoffs and All-NBA Third Team Selection

In 2014, Damian Lillard led the Trail Blazers to the playoffs, recording 31 points in his playoff debut. He also made a buzzer-beating shot to win a playoff series, the first since 1997. Lillard was named to the All-NBA Third Team at the season's end.

February 8, 2015: 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: 600th Career Three-Pointer

On October 28, 2015, Damian Lillard recorded 21 points and 11 assists in a season-opening win over the New Orleans Pelicans, achieving his 600th career three-point field goal, making him the fastest NBA player in history to reach the mark at 247 games.

October 25, 2016: 39 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in win over Utah Jazz

On October 25, 2016, Damian Lillard scored 39 points with 9 rebounds and 6 assists in a 113-104 win against the Utah Jazz. During this game, he passed Jim Paxson for sixth on the franchise career list with his first assist.

2016: MVP Race and Playoff Performance

In the 2016 NBA MVP Race, Damian Lillard finished 8th in total points received. He also recorded 40 points and 10 assists in Game 3 of the second round of the playoffs against the Golden State Warriors, helping the Trail Blazers win 120–108.

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 helped lead 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 awarded the Magic Johnson Award for the 2016-17 season. The award honors a player that combines excellence on the court with 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 a game against the Phoenix Suns. With 402 career games, Lillard became the fastest Blazer to score 9,000 points.

2018: Placed 4th in MVP Race

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

November 8, 2019: Recorded career-high 60 points

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

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: Scored career-high 61 points

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

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

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

2020: Olympic Gold Medal

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

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: Olympic Gold Medal and NBA 75th Anniversary Team Selection

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

2021: Playoff Career-High 55 Points in Game 5

In 2021, during Game 5 of the first round of the playoffs against the Denver Nuggets, Damian Lillard scored a playoff career-high 55 points and made an NBA playoff record 12 three-pointers, along with 10 assists; however, the Nuggets ultimately won in double overtime.

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 with the Milwaukee Bucks against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 39 points, which set a franchise record for a debut, and had eight rebounds in a 118–117 victory.

January 14, 2024: Game-Winning Shot and Milestone

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