Set out on his goal of helping the Milwaukee Bucks survive and buy time until their Most Valuable Player candidate could return, Damian Lillard provided an extension in the best way he knew how: Dame Time. With a determined flame in his eye and an intention on setting the tone from Game One’s opening tip, Lillard sends his first statement, beating both T.J. McConnell and a quickly-expiring play clock with an effortless stepback triple before the buzzer. Taking his moment to let the fired-up crowd know what he’s here to do, Lillard gets back to work quickly, countering Andrew Nembhard’s defense by sequencing an artful double behind-the-back dribble with a swift stepback, setting his path for an awe-worthy 3-pointer. Unrelenting in his approach during his first postseason appearance since 2021, Lillard kept the scoreboard operators busy on the way to a 35-point first half, the second-highest by any player in the first half of a postseason game over the last 25 seasons. Nearly surpassing the Indiana Pacers’ first half output (42) by himself, Lillard rode that early-game momentum to victory on April 21, 2024, contributing 35 points, six rebounds, three assists, and six 3-pointers. · Apr 21, 2024