Damian Lillard faced the Portland Trail Blazers for the first time since getting traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and the All-Star point guard finished with 31 points, five rebounds and four assists.
The Bucks beat the Blazers at home by a final score of 108-102.
“Once I walked in, I saw a lot of familiar faces,” Lillard said after the game. “I thought about going to the visitors’ locker room for a second. I was like, ‘Man, this is a little bit different.’ Then when we got to the court, I saw everybody, and it was a weird feeling. But once we started playing, I kind of got over it quick. Just like before, I didn’t think it would be a big thing or a crazy thing, and it wasn’t.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
The Bucks won despite trailing the Blazers 81-55 early in the third quarter, the largest deficit overcome by a winning team in the NBA this season. It was Milwaukee’s largest come-from-behind victory since 2012 when the team came back from 27 points down in a 93-92 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Lillard is now averaging 25.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 6.3 assists on the season while shooting 41.1% from the field, 32.8% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. The Bucks improved to 12-5 after beating the Blazers. They are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Milwaukee Bucks Updates
Lillard will return to Portland on January 31, 2024. That will certainly be an emotional game for the Weber State product.
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