What a weekend it has been for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Damian Lillard. After winning the 3-Point Contest for the second year running on Saturday night, Dame capped off his memorable All-Star weekend by taking the 2024 NBA All-Star Game Kobe Bryant MVP title on Sunday.
Lillard’s crowning moment was smeared by the home fans at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, who clearly wanted Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton to win the trophy over Lillard. The supporters made their feelings known by savagely booing Dame as he received the award.
Milwaukee Bucks Star Damian Lillard Reacts to Booing From Pacers Fans
NBA on TNT’s Ernie Johnson was the one who handed the MVP trophy to Lillard shortly after the East demolished the West, 211-186. Naturally, Johnson had to ask Lillard to share his thoughts on the boos from the crowd:
“I appreciate it,” Lillard responded. “I expect it. We in his home town, we in his building. He had a great game but it’s an honor. I’ve been here quite a few times, so to be able to have this type of accomplishment is special.”
To be fair to Haliburton, the Pacers guard finished with 32 points on 11-of-15 shooting. He knocked down 10 triples, with five of them coming early in the first quarter to start the game.
In the end, however, it was Lillard who took home the crown. He logged a team-high 39 points on 11 made triples, to go along with six assists. It was a performance for the ages for the eight-time All-Star.
“I think anytime you have this type of experience enough, you want to have this experience,” he said. “You want to be All-Star Game MVP. Like I said, it’s an honor playing against the game’s best and to be able to come out in the end with this is a special accomplishment.”
DAME TIME. ⌚️
In his first time as a starter, Lillard lifts the Kobe Bryant Trophy as the 2024 #KiaAllStarMVP!
🌟 39 PTS
🌟 11 3PM
🌟 6 AST
🌟 East W pic.twitter.com/3gkividrdx— NBA (@NBA) February 19, 2024
Lillard cleary came into the All-Star weekend with a mission, and he won’t be coming home empty-handed.
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