(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The Milwaukee Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo during Game 1 of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers.
Sadly, they might be without him for a bit longer due to his current injury.
But Damian Lillard was able to lift his team to victory during Game 1, scoring 35 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.
On Monday’s “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith spoke about how impressed he was by Lillard.
“This is what makes him a future Hall of Famer. One of the greatest guards to have ever played in the NBA,” Smith said, before calling Lillard a “closer.”
“The bigger the moment, the more he rises to the occasion,” Smith said.
“This is what makes him a future Hall of Famer. One of the greatest guards to have ever played in the NBA. He’s a closer. … The bigger the moment, the more he rises to the occasion.”
—@stephenasmith on Damian Lillard in Game 1 vs. the Pacers pic.twitter.com/ZsGH8CjOTO
— First Take (@FirstTake) April 22, 2024
Anyone who has been paying attention to Lillard’s career wasn’t surprised by his performance on Sunday.
During his many years with the Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard was repeatedly clutch and stepped up to guide his team to victory, even when he was seemingly the only competitive player on the roster.
When the Bucks landed Lillard last summer, they were hoping to see this sort of output from him.
Sunday’s game was an example of just how special Lillard can be and how he can assist his team in huge ways when the pressure and stakes are high.
That being said, everyone wants to see him play with Antetokounmpo more.
Fans of the game were promised the best duo in the league this year and while Lillard and Antetokounmpo have done a lot during their first season together there is still room for improvement.
Now that the playoffs have arrived, these two can come together, enhance their chemistry even more, and push their team out of the opening round.
But until Antetokounmpo is healthy again, it looks like Lillard is willing to lead.
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