Nine matches, nine victories. This is the record of the Bucks when Damian Lillard scored 30 points or more. Statistics confirmed last night since the All-Star leader scored 39 points against the Rockets. It is also the 9th victory in 11 matches for the Bucks, who only lost one game in December: this semi-final against the Pacers in the NBA tournament.
“The last two matches seemed different to me,” he explained about the matches against the Pistons and therefore the Rockets. “I think I had a few good matches before, but that was just because I'm a shooter and the ball was going in. It's the best feeling I've had, in the rhythm, in the timing. I would say it’s the best feeling I’ve had since the beginning.”
Author of 33 points against Detroit, Lillard did even better with a full match: 39 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 interceptions, 11 out of 19 on shots. It was he who put the Bucks on the right track with 15 points in the first quarter, 5 of 6 on shots, but also with his passes, like this alley-oop for the leaping Andre Jackson Jr.
A budding bond with rookie Andre Jackson Jr.
“In my head, I told myself that in December, I would start to feel better”continues Lillard, “even though I knew it was a process of integrating into a new team, and everything that comes with it.”
What is interesting about this victory is the complicity and even the complementarity with the rookie Andre Jackson Jr., started in the absence of Malik Beasley. The two combine well, and Lillard seems to enjoy playing alongside him. Especially because it does all the dirty work, while providing energy.
“He never stops progressing,” notes Lillard. “He's a pest on the court, he makes guys work, he gives us extra possessions on offense, he flies away on defensive rebounds. His activity and energy are tremendous. Sometimes kids want to show what they can do, and what he brings to the game is something you always need on the field. It’s not necessarily something you see on the scoresheet, but you can feel its presence in the game.”
| Damian Lillard | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2012-13 | POR | 82 | 39 | 42.9 | 36.8 | 84.4 | 0.5 | 2.6 | 3.1 | 6.5 | 2.1 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.2 | 19.1 |
| 2013-14 | POR | 82 | 36 | 42.4 | 39.4 | 87.1 | 0.4 | 3.1 | 3.5 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 0.8 | 2.4 | 0.3 | 20.7 |
| 2014-15 | POR | 82 | 36 | 43.4 | 34.3 | 86.4 | 0.6 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 21.0 |
| 2015-16 | POR | 75 | 36 | 41.9 | 37.5 | 89.2 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 6.8 | 2.2 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 25.1 |
| 2016-17 | POR | 75 | 36 | 44.4 | 37.0 | 89.5 | 0.6 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 5.9 | 2.0 | 0.9 | 2.6 | 0.3 | 27.0 |
| 2017-18 | POR | 73 | 37 | 43.9 | 36.1 | 91.6 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 26.9 |
| 2018-19 | POR | 80 | 36 | 44.4 | 36.9 | 91.2 | 0.9 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 6.9 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 2.7 | 0.4 | 25.8 |
| 2019-20 | POR | 66 | 38 | 46.3 | 40.1 | 88.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 8.0 | 1.7 | 1.1 | 2.9 | 0.3 | 30.0 |
| 2020-21 | POR | 67 | 36 | 45.1 | 39.1 | 92.8 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 3.0 | 0.3 | 28.8 |
| 2021-22 | POR | 29 | 36 | 40.2 | 32.4 | 87.8 | 0.5 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 7.3 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 2.9 | 0.4 | 24.0 |
| 2022-23 | POR | 58 | 36 | 46.3 | 37.1 | 91.4 | 0.8 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 7.3 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 0.3 | 32.2 |
| 2023-24 | MIL | 23 | 35 | 42.4 | 35.2 | 91.6 | 0.6 | 3.9 | 4.5 | 6.9 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 25.2 |
| Total | 792 | 36 | 43.9 | 37.2 | 89.6 | 0.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 6.7 | 1.9 | 1.0 | 2.8 | 0.3 | 25.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
