Damian Lillard Shines In Team LeBron's Easy All-Star Game Victory

The Trail Blazers superstar scored 32 points, drained eight three-pointers and send Team LeBron to victory with a game-clinching triple.

Jack Winter

Damian Lillard Shines In Team LeBron's Easy All-Star Game Victory
Damian Lillard Shines In Team LeBron's Easy All-Star Game Victory /

Even among basketball's brightest stars, Damian Lillard still managed to singularly shine. The Portland Trail Blazers superstar scored a franchise-record 32 points and made a whopping eight three-pointers on Sunday in the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, helping Team LeBron to a 170-150 victory over Team Durant.

As part of this year’s All-Star format highlight historically Black colleges and universities, Team LeBron and Team Durant played for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and United Negro College Fund. In total, the teams contributed $1.75 million in scholarship funding to further HBCU students’ higher education.

Lillard, controversially not voted a starter, entered the All-Star Game midway through the first quarter, joining Chris Paul and Rudy Gobert as Team LeBron's first players off the bench. Contributing to an unsurprisingly sluggish first quarter from both teams, he missed his first three shots and committed an unforced turnover.

Lillard's first points came on free throws early in the second quarter, taking the lid off the rim for his first basket seconds later.

During his next stint on the floor, Lillard followed up an off-dribble three with an alley-oop dunk from Paul.

Feeling it, Lillard then pulled up and connected from halfcourt – a feat Curry matched on Team LeBron's very next trip down the floor.

Lillard finished the first half with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting, helping Team LeBron win both quarters. He started the second half, largely playing bystander as Giannis Antetokounmpo continued rewriting history by making his first 16 shots.

Lillard scored just three points in the third quarter, another won by Team LeBron. He still got everyone at State Farm Arena and millions watching around the globe out of their seats, though, when he suddenly pulled up and launched from way behind halfcourt.

Lillard's All-Star range apparently extends past halfcourt.  :: NBA/TNT

Lillard had drained a ridiculous, side-stepping jumper from 30 feet on the previous possession. It was almost surprising when his ensuing 50-footer caromed off the left side of the backboard instead of splashing through the rim.

Team LeBron entered the fourth quarter with a commanding lead of 146-125, needing just 24 points to clinch the game's Elam Ending victory. Lillard began the final stanza on the bench, re-entering the game with his team up 24 points and needing only 14 points to win.

As part of Team LeBron's closing five alongside Curry, Paul, Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, Lillard helped make quick work of Team Durant. He quickly scored eight straight points on a driving layup and pair of long triples, getting Team LeBron within three points of a victory.

You knew what time was next.

Lillard's sixth All-Star Game was his best yet, but still not quite enough to take home the Kobe Bryant Trophy. Antetokounmpo's record-breaking performance earned him All-Star MVP honors.

After Lillard erupted for 32 points in typically jaw-dropping fashion, though, no one would be surprised if he won the award next year – or maybe even the real MVP trophy at season's end.

READ MORE: High-Flying Anfernee Simons Kisses His Way To Dunk Contest Crown

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Jack Winter
JACK WINTER

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