Milwaukee Bucks news: Last season, Damian Lillard wasn’t even in the Playoffs. In fact, it has been three long years since Dame last got a taste of postseason action.
This is exactly why he came out with an absolute vengeance in his first playoff game for the Bucks on Sunday night. It resulted in an incredible 35-point performance for the eight-time All-Star, en route to leading Milwaukee to a huge 109-94 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 1.
Milwaukee Bucks News: Damian Lillard Gets Brutally Honest on Playoff Drought
Speaking to reporters after Sunday’s victory, Lillard acknowledged just how pleased he is to be playing postseason basketball again.
The 33-year-old revealed that he actually went to Coachella last year after the Portland Trail Blazers missed the playoffs yet again. It doesn’t sound like Dame enjoyed the experience very much:
“Not being in the playoffs, it sucked,” he said, via Eric Nehm of The Athletic. “… Last year, I went to Coachella. I ain’t ever been able to go to Coachella.”
I’m pretty sure Lillard found some level of joy while attending the world-famous music festival in Indio, California last year, but it is also clear that he would have much rather preferred being in the playoffs.
I’m also certain that Dame is more than happy to have missed this year’s Coachella Festival.
Lillard absolutely made up for lost time in Game 1, as he torched the Pacers with 35 points on 6-of-11 shooting from beyond the arc. Amazingly, he scored all of his points in the first half as Indiana doubled down on their defensive effort on him after the break.
The effort from the Pacers was too little, too late, though — albeit commendable — as the Bucks completed their rout. The series resumes on Tuesday for Game 2, and you can be sure that Lillard will be looking to keep his foot on the gas in that one.
For More Wisconsin Sports:
Follow me on Twitter at @PaoloSongcoNBA, and follow us @WiSportsHeroics. Also, check out our Merchandise Here! Get 20% off with the code “WSH.” You can also reach out to Paolo Songco via email at pao.songco@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Wisconsin sports, click here! Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Bucks, Wisconsin Badgers.
