Damian Lillard certainly made a lasting impression during the NBA all-star weekend in 2024. The 33-year-old delivered an impressive performance and will be returning home with some well-deserved accolades. On Saturday night, Lillard emerged as the champion of the Starry 3-Point contest for the second consecutive year. Furthermore, he showcased his skills by scoring 39 points, with 11 successful three-point shots, ultimately earning him the title of all-star game MVP.
Lillard’s achievement is a remarkable one, as he becomes only the second player in the history of the league to accomplish this feat. The only other player to achieve such a milestone was Michael Jordan in 1988, who also won both the three-point contest and the all-star game MVP in the same weekend. It is truly an exclusive club that Damian Lillard now joins. The question remains whether he can maintain this momentum and contribute to the Milwaukee Bucks’ success in the Eastern Conference for the remainder of the season.
Here is a list of players who have won the All-Star MVP award and either the Dunk Contest or 3PT Contest in a single season:
– Damian Lillard (2024)
– Michael Jordan (1988)
In his eighth appearance at the all-star weekend, Damian Lillard made it a memorable one. While his previous seven appearances were with the Portland Trail Blazers, this season marks his first with the Bucks. Lillard was honored with a starting position in the all-star game, alongside his teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo. On Saturday, he participated in the Starry 3-Point competition, aiming to defend his title from the previous year. The 33-year-old successfully outperformed Trae Young and Karl-Anthony Towns in the final round to secure his second consecutive victory in the three-point contest.
Lillard’s exceptional shooting skills carried over to the all-star game on Sunday night. In a record-breaking 211-186 victory for the Eastern Conference, Lillard stood out with an impressive 39 points, including 11 successful three-point shots. Additionally, he contributed three rebounds, six assists, and a steal. Karl-Anthony Towns put up an impressive 50 points for the Western Conference, despite their loss. If the Western Conference had emerged victorious, Towns would likely have been awarded the MVP title. However, the Eastern Conference showcased their dominance by shooting 43% as a team from beyond the arc.
Damian Lillard received a total of twelve votes for the 2024 all-star game MVP. Out of these votes, seven were in favor of Lillard, while the remaining five were for Tyrese Haliburton, the hometown player. Haliburton made an impactful contribution with 32 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, giving the Eastern Conference a strong start. However, he was unable to match Lillard’s exceptional three-point shooting prowess. With the conclusion of the all-star weekend, teams will now focus on the second half of the regular season. The Milwaukee Bucks’ next game will be on Friday night, facing the Timberwolves on the road. Damian Lillard and the Bucks are expected to face a tough challenge.
According to the Source sportslens.com