Damian Lillard of the Milwaukee Bucks achieved a significant milestone by joining the exclusive 20k point club during a game against the San Antonio Spurs, who were playing without Wemby. Lillard's impressive performance included scoring 19 points in the first quarter, contributing to the Bucks' early lead. By halftime, Lillard had accumulated 24 points, helping Milwaukee to a 72-59 advantage, with the Bucks favored by 16.5 points. Despite the Spurs' efforts to close the gap, the Bucks maintained their lead, with Lillard finishing the game with a season-high 40 points. The Bucks ultimately defeated the Spurs 132-119, capitalizing on their opening surge. Lillard's achievement places him among elite company, as he becomes the fourth player in NBA history to reach 20,000 points, 5,000 assists, and 2,000 3-pointers made, joining the ranks of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and James Harden. The victory improved the Bucks' record to 20-7, while the Spurs fell to 4-22. Keldon Johnson matched his season high with a double-double for the Spurs, but it was not enough to overcome the Bucks' +30 advantage from the 3-point line.
Damian Lillard scores 40 as Bucks streak past Spurs https://t.co/sImybDrJ9h https://t.co/BW97mKyOTK
Damian Lillard goes off for 40 points as Bucks beat Spurs #DamianLillard #MilwaukeeBucks #SanAntonioSpurs https://t.co/oUxOYdvk9u
Dame in his last three games 📈 40 PTS, 4 AST, 7 3PM 39 PTS, 11 AST, 5 3PM 33 PTS, 5 AST, 6 3PM https://t.co/nkLXBK089r
A 40ball with 7 3-pointers and the win for Damian Lillard this evening! https://t.co/3r0EfhorTX
Dame tonight... 🔥 First 40-point game with Milwaukee 🔥 14-22 FGM, 7-12 3PM 🔥 Reaches 20,000 career points Bucks get the home win! https://t.co/1e0xW4v92W
Final numbers from Spurs @ Bucks https://t.co/ESGpzSgKJy
Damian Lillard explodes for 19 points in first quarter vs. Spurs, makes history in the process https://t.co/qS1aVtql5z
San Antonio vs. Milwaukee, Final Score: Spurs overrun by Bucks’ opening surge, lose 119-132 https://t.co/45wtVHh85M
DAMIAN LILLARD TONIGHT 💥 - 40 points - 7/12 3PM - 34 minutes The Bucks beat the Spurs 132-119 🔥 https://t.co/BuSwr3SC5n
Damian Lillard over his last 3 games: 40 PTS - 3 REB - 4 AST 39 PTS - 5 REB - 11 AST 33 PTS - 4 REB - 5 AST https://t.co/CL7aaxu3P7
The Spurs fall to the Bucks by 13 after trailing by as many as 24 points. The Spurs are now... ...4-22 overall ...2-10 on the road ....winless vs the East (0-7)
Spurs (4-22) fall 132-119 to the Bucks (20-7) for their second loss in a row. Keldon Johnson matched his season high for points (28) and rebounds (12) for his sixth double-double of the season. Damian Lillard led Milwaukee with a season-high 40 points.
Dame's 40 points tonight: 21 points from 3PT 12 paint points 5 made free throws 2 points from mid-range Bucks by 18
3Q: Bucks by 22. MIL takes the 3Q 35-26. Collins 19 pts Vassell 17 pts Jones 14 pts Keldon 11 pts Cedi 10 pts Dame 37 pts Portis 17 pts Brook 14 pts Giannis/Middleton 11 pts each Bucks are a +30 from the 3PT line
Spurs trail 107-85 heading into the final frame. Collins has 17 points on 8 of 15 and 8 rebounds. Lillard leads the Bucks with 37 points - two shy of matching his season high for the second game in a row - on 13 of 20 from the field and 7 of 12 from beyond the arc.
Dame through 3 quarters: 37 points 7 threes 13/20 FGM On a TEAR. 🔥 https://t.co/VR3HZkFaY3
Dame is locked in. 7 3-pointers already this evening so far! https://t.co/kexwcF0w1S
Dame knocks down his 7th triple of the night 🔥 https://t.co/BKAnKEAXaV
Dame is on FIRE. He's got 7 threes on the NBA App! 📲 https://t.co/QKn4cea3Fl https://t.co/yymM4ZQBPH
With 33 points on 11 of 14 (7 of 9 from deep), Lillard has his 3rd straight game of 30-plus after scoring 39 against Houston on Dec. 17 and 33 vs. Detroit. His 7 field goals from distance are a season high.
33 points for Dame and the Bucks quickly go back up by 17 points in a few possessions
After trailing by 22 earlier in this game, the Spurs have cut the Bucks' lead down to 8 points Collins 15 points now, including three made 3s
Damian Lillard at halftime: 24 Points 8/11 FGM 4/6 3PM 4/4 FTM https://t.co/0FV4Hhz4af
After trailing by 22 points, Spurs go into the half down 72-59. Collins and Jones have 12 each. Lillard has 24 for the Bucks. Portis has 17. Bucks have an 8-0 edge in second-chance points and a 20-6 edge in fast break points.
Half: Bucks by 13. SA takes the 2Q 33-28 Collins/Jones 12 pts each Dame 24 pts Portis 17 pts Giannis 10 pts Bucks +15 from 3PT line
Damian Lillard’s🔥 half vs. Spurs: - 24 points - 3 rebounds - 4/6 3PM Milwaukee leads 72 to 59 over San Antonio. (via @NBA) https://t.co/cpCLucsuEw
Damian Lillard at the half: He can’t be stopped. My goodness. https://t.co/L0epgh0AZU
Spurs have committed 9 turnovers, leading to 10 Bucks points. Johnson has 3, Collins and Vassell 2 each.
Dame is now a member of the 20K PTS, 5K AST, 2K 3PT Club! Other members: LeBron, Steph, Harden https://t.co/hJy4IllGJm
Dame is the fourth player in NBA history with 20,000 points, 5,000 assists and 2,000 3PM. He joins: LeBron James Stephen Curry James Harden https://t.co/zxElGdKcLI
12 point first half for Zach Collins Spurs cut Bucks' 22 point lead down to 13
Dame reached 20,000 career points... and dropped 19 in the 1Q alone! Bona fide bucket. https://t.co/VhpDhMyyYX
20,000 POINTS FOR DAME ‼️‼️‼️ https://t.co/DWaFiinuYh
Spurs trail 44-26 after 1Q. The 44 points matches the 1Q high for an opponent. Indiana also had 44 on Nov. 6 on their way to a 152-111 win. Lillard has 19 points on 7 of 9 (4 of 6 from deep) after playing all 12 minutes.
1Q: Bucks by 18. MIL scores 44 in opening quarter. Bucks were favored by 16.5 Cedi/Collins/Jones 6 pts each Dame 19 pts Portis 12 pts Bucks are a +18 from the 3PT line
19 point first quarter for Dame vs the Spurs
19 first quarter points for Damian Lillard
Congrats @Dame_Lillard 20,000 Points! “If you put in the work, the results will come.” #DameTime #TheFormula https://t.co/B9y8ZO3c95
12 point first quarter for Dame 6 points from 3PT 4 paint points 2 points from mid-range
Welcome to the 20k point club, @Dame_Lillard. 👏 https://t.co/RPAgR1p1a6
20,000 career points and counting for Dame 👏 (via @BallySportWI) https://t.co/d9VENv0K7z
Will the Spurs cover vs. the Bucks tonight without Wemby? 🤔 https://t.co/S8i7yUsMtL
GAME PREVIEW: San Antonio Spurs at Milwaukee Bucks https://t.co/WQcBN1qGDg