Milestone unlocked: Damian Lillard joins elite list of 20,000-point scorers

An elite scorer belongs on an elite list.

Jonas Panerio | Dec 20, 2023

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Milwaukee Bucks

A few nights after Giannis Antetokounmpo made history, it was Damian Lillard’s time to shine. Tuesday night against the San Antonio Spurs was “Dame Time,” as the seven-time All-Star became the 51st player to score 20,000 points. He’s also only the eighth active player to join the elite club of premier bucket-getters.

Damian Lillard, the 51st player in NBA history to score 20,000 points. pic.twitter.com/uchJzqwQiw
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 20, 2023

Rare air

Lillard scored 40 points for the night—the third game in a row he scored 30 or more. Dame was also efficient in putting the ball in the basket, as he made 14-of-22 from the field, including seven three-pointers.

After the game, Lillard shared it felt good to be in the company of so many NBA greats who have also reached the 20K mark.

“I mean, I don’t want to fake downplay it like it’s nothing. I know it’s a big deal. It’s a great accomplishment. It’s a rare space to be in. In the history of this league, to have only 51 players accomplish something like that, I think that speaks for itself,” Damian said postgame.

Goodnight. pic.twitter.com/YsMjWURs3B
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) December 20, 2023

Belief in his abilities

Lillard said what made the feat more special was remembering everything he went through to be where he is right now. A lightly recruited high school prospect from Oakland, California, Lillard went to Weber State before making it to the NBA. His belief in himself and his abilities has stayed consistent throughout his career, allowing him to join NBA royalty.

“And I look at what led up to it, all the things that I think of in high school and college, and the doubt that I faced over the course of my career before the NBA. What I wasn’t supposed to be. What I wasn’t supposed to accomplish. And just my mentality through all those things. Sometimes, you don’t really see the light at the end of the tunnel. You just gotta have that faith in yourself,” Lillard said.