Damian Lillard

For years, Damian Lillard has signaled eyes towards his wrist, warning anyone within vantage point about trademark late-game magic bound to inevitably occur. Upon hearing that November 26, 2024’s battle would have to be won without his All-Star sidekick, Lillard, in clockwork fashion, of course, adjusted his watch to “Dame Time” a few quarters earlier. Unguardable enough to reap the fruits of a 19-point third quarter lead, Lillard finds a way to both keep a foot on the gas and pump the brakes at once, leaving Bam Adebayo in need of a map after a fluid between-the-leg, stepback combination. A literal flamethrower on offense from the game’s opening tip, Lillard burns the Miami Heat once more, balancing into a 3-pointer that left even the road Kaseya Center crowd in awed appreciation. Capable of flipping the switch from co-star to undisputed alpha in a manner few can, the Milwaukee Bucks star commanded both victory and history at once. Lillard turned in a 37-point, three-rebound, 12-assist masterpiece — NBA history’s ninth-most 35-point, 10-assist games — complemented by one steal, one block, and eight triples.