Damian Lillard

Having experienced too many successful seasons to allow a slow October to rattle his team's psyche, Damian Lillard found that losing streaks — and pesky defenders — could be shaken in the same way: a reactive dribble and a Hall of Fame-bound pull-up jumper. Tallied for four different 30-point showings over the season’s first seven games, Lillard reaps its respect-filled benefits against Collin Sexton’s hounding pick-and-roll defense. Offsetting the tireless energy of Utah’s guard with a rhythmic behind-the-back dribble that doubles as a ball screen, Lillard elevates into a pinpoint 3-pointer to open the Milwaukee Bucks’ scoring. A steady, much-needed presence in both the Bucks’ wins and losses, Lillard helped Milwaukee return to the win column after a six-game slide on November 7, 2024. By night’s end, the eight-time All-Star had overwhelmed the Utah Jazz to the tune of 34 points (on 12-of-22 shooting), four rebounds, seven assists, four steals, four 3-pointers, and a game-high +27 plus-minus.