CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 30: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers (facing camera) is mobbed by teammates after hitting the game-winning three point shot against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 30, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Trailblazers defeated the Bulls 123-122. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Dame Time came a little early this year for Damian Lillard.
Dame Time is a state of mind, rather than an actual time on the clock one can point to. At least, that’s Lillard’s mindset.
Lillard’s matchup with Lou Dort near the end of the Blazers’ Tuesday night game against the Thunder offered one of the best defenders in the league to take on arguably the best one-on-one offensive guard in the game. It was tremendous television, but Dort has to go back to the film room.
Thank you for coming, OKC. Dort fought through his switch on both occasions, but it wasn’t enough. There’s always enough room for Lillard to pull up from deep.
Lillard’s heat wave was awfully familiar
In the 2019 NBA Playoffs, Lillard sent the Thunder home early with one the most memorable shots in postseason history.
Sure, it’s not exactly the same, but Lillard’s heroics have become so common we have so much to draw back from. On Tuesday, it just so happened to be against a familiar foe.