Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard had one goal in mind when he arrived in Indianapolis for the NBA All-Star Weekend — to win. And win he did, completing a rare All-Star weekend sweep on Sunday.
In a record-breaking performance, Lillard secured MVP honors by pouring in 39 points, sinking an impressive 11 3-pointers, and tallying six assists, three rebounds, and one steal in the East’s commanding 211-186 victory over the West. This triumph came just one day after Lillard clinched his second consecutive 3-point contest title, making him the first player since Michael Jordan in 1988 to achieve two championships on consecutive nights.
Reflecting on his stellar performance, Lillard attributed his success to maintaining an aggressive mindset and seizing every opportunity that came his way. “I just know you’ve got to keep shooting the ball, and I think in a game like this, it’s going to be pretty loose and you’re going to get your opportunities,” Lillard remarked. “I just told myself I’m going to be aggressive and I’m going to keep firing.”
Lillard’s impressive showing included shooting 14 of 26 from the field and an outstanding 11 of 23 from beyond the arc, contributing to the East’s record-breaking total of 42 3-pointers in the game, a new milestone in All-Star Game history.