Damian Lillard Made NBA History In Wizards-Bucks Game

Damian Lillard moved up on the NBA's all-time assists list.

Oct 27, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

UPDATE: The Bucks won by a score of 124-114.

Elite stepback. pic.twitter.com/ElFeg5QPkC

— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 1, 2024

On Saturday evening, the Milwaukee Bucks are playing the Washington Wizards (at home) in Wisconsin.

Damian Lillard had 21 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals while shooting 7/14 from the field and 5/8 from the three-point range in his first 27 minutes.

The All-Star point guard also made NBA history by moving ahead of Nick Van Exel (5,777) for 45th on the all-time assists list.

Following Van Exel, the next player for Lillard to pass will be Avery Johnson (5,846).

GIANNIS ➡️ DAME ➡️ GIANNIS 💥@Bucks duo runs a beautiful give-and-go! pic.twitter.com/CmgiPDqOSZ

— NBA (@NBA) December 1, 2024

Lillard came into the night with averages of 26.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 7.7 assists per contest while shooting 44.1% from the field and 34.8% from the three-point range in his first 15 games.

He is in his second season with the franchise after getting traded (via the Portland Trail Blazers) in the summer of 2023.

Nov 26, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Bucks are the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 9-9 record in 18 games.

Despite the slow start, they have won five games in a row.

Following their showdown with the Wizards, the Bucks will go on the road to play the Detroit Pistons in Michigan on Tuesday.

𝐋𝐨𝐠𝐨 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐝 👌#FearTheDeer | #Bucks pic.twitter.com/LRmU92qxt4

— FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (@FanDuelSN_WI) December 1, 2024

If the Bucks can have a healthy season, there is no reason they should not be able to compete for a title with their elite roster.

They have lost in the first round of the NBA playoffs in back-to-back seasons after dealing with injuries.

Nov 30, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against Washington Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon (15) in the first half at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images / Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

Lillard was sixth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft out of Weber State.

He spent his first 11 years with Portland.