Damian Lillard on being out of the playoffs: ‘It sucked, last year I went to Coachella, I ain’t ever been able to go to Coachella’

Jamal Collier @JamalCollier
Damian Lillard on missing the playoffs the last two years, “It sucked. Last year I went to Coachella. I ain’t never been able to go to Coachella.” – 10:09 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Damian Lillard on missing the playoffs the last few years:
“Not being in the playoffs, it sucked…Last year, I went to Coachella. I ain’t ever been able to go to Coachella.” – 10:08 PM

CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Damian Lillard goes off in Bucks playoff debut vs. Pacers: ‘This is what y’all brought me here for’
(By @jackmaloneycbs)
cbssports.com/nba/news/damia… – 9:49 PM

StatMuse @statmuse
Dame tonight:
1st half — 2nd half —
35 PTS 0 PTS
11-19 FG 0-5 FG
6-10 3P 0-1 3P
19 MIN 18 MIN pic.twitter.com/89Os0QkDn4 – 9:34 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Most points in a 1st half, no points in a 2nd half, play-by-play era:
35 — Damian Lillard, tonight
31 — Devin Booker, 4/19/22
30 — Rodney Hood, 3/28/16
30 — Kevin Durant, 12/18/14
27 — Steve Francis, 1/10/02
27 — Desmond Mason, 4/14/04
27 — Julius Randle, 12/11/22 – 9:31 PM

StatMuse @statmuse
Most points in playoff debut with the Bucks:
36 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
36 — Gary Brokaw
35 — Damian Lillard
The only players to put up 35+ points. pic.twitter.com/RAwb3G8fap – 9:29 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
Bucks win 109-94. Pacers were awful in the first half and never recovered. They’re down 1-0 in the series.
36 and 14 for Siakam. 35 for Lillard. Game 2 on Tuesday. – 9:28 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Dame still scoreless in the second half.
In the play-by-play era, starting in 1995, nobody has ever scored more than 31 points in a first half and gone scoreless in a second half.
3:47 left. – 9:19 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
The Pacers have been absolutely committed to not letting Damian Lillard beat them in the second half and he has not yet scored in the final two quarters.
But the Bucks still lead, 102-85, with 3:53 left. – 9:15 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
Pacers defensive mojo from the third quarter is gone. It’s 97-77 after a crushing 3 minutes from the Bucks. Milwaukee is +19 with Lillard on the bench tonight. – 9:04 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Pacers’ 3Q is their best and that holds true. They outscored the Bucks 29-14 and a TJM jumper to end the 3rd makes it a 12-point game.
After 35pts in the 1H, Dame was 0/3 and scoreless in the 3rd.
They’ve had double-digit big comebacks this season. Will need another one here. – 8:57 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
After three quarters, the Bucks lead, 83-71. The Pacers have found their way back into this game.
They’ve turned the pressure up on Lillard, even doubling him in the backcourt, and he did not score in the third quarter. Only took three shots. – 8:56 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
TJ McConnell scores just before the buzzer and it’s 83-71 heading into the fourth quarter. A 29-14 third period for the Pacers. Their pace and defense were much better, and they held Lillard scoreless. Much more work to do. – 8:55 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Pacers now up to a commanding 64-35 lead on Dame, who has yet to score in the third. Bucks by 19. – 8:48 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
In the first half, Damian Lillard was given those continuation calls on his shot that he got at the start of the season.
On his first one like that in the second half, they called it on the ground, no shot. – 8:47 PM

Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
While Dame’s 35 was the story, the Pacers only scored 0.93 points per possession in the first half.
Only three times in 82 games this year did anyone hold Indiana to 1 point per possession or less…
…two of those three were the Celtics. (Nov. 1 @ Boston, Jan. 6 @ Indiana) – 8:43 PM

Kelly Iko @KellyIko
Pacers with some much-needed adjustments at the break — more 2-man game with Haliburton/Siakam, aggressive coverage on Lillard forcing ball out of his hands. There’s still value to be had in Game 1, even if the deficit is substantial. Series isn’t over tonight. – 8:40 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Andrew Nembhard and Damian Lillard had to be separated, then both were given technical fouls. – 8:37 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Double technicals for Andrew Nembhard and Damian Lillard after that play.
Bucks still up, 75-56, with 7:20 left in the third quarter though. – 8:37 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
And here comes the Bucks-Pacers chippiness. Bobby Portis and Pascal Siakam with a bit of bumping on one end, then Andrew Nembhard and Damian Lillard on the other end. Double techs for Lillard and Nembhard. Pacers are down 19. – 8:36 PM

Frank Madden @fmaddenNBA
Dame is of course the story of the game, but the most important minutes of the half arguably came in the first 5 minutes of the second quarter — with Dame on bench Bucks outscored Pacers 14-3 to make it 20-point game. Big minutes from Bobby, Khris, and Pat. – 8:31 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
Damian Lillard with 35 points. That’s tied for his eighth-highest scoring game of the season. It’s halftime. – 8:21 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Damian Lillard has 35 at halftime.
This is the most by halftime of a playoff game since Kevin Durant had 38 on April 26, 2019 for Golden State vs. the Clippers. – 8:19 PM

Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
35 points in the FIRST HALF!!!
Lillard locked and loaded
pic.twitter.com/p7om86pIDa – 8:17 PM

Ball Don’t Lie @Balldontlie
HALF TIME?
DAME TIME. pic.twitter.com/a0oZX6fo1j – 8:16 PM

Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
good lorde Dame – 8:14 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Bucks cruising, up 69-42 at half. It was all Dame, who scored 35 (and hit six 3s).
Pacers never looked comfortable and couldn’t play at their pace. Just four transition points and they missed their first 13 3s. And 11 guys got in.
Siakam scored 19pts. – 8:14 PM

The Ringer @ringernba
Dame to the Pacers tonight pic.twitter.com/Pjh066UHD6 – 8:13 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
69-42 at halfitme. Bucks kicked the Pacers ass in every way. Siakam had 19 points, and it’s hard to imagine how ugly this would be without that.
Lillard: 35 points. He mad more threes (6) and as many free throws (7) as the entire Pacers team. – 8:13 PM

Zach Kram @zachkram
Most points in the first half of a playoff game in the play-by-play era (since 1996-97):
1. Kevin Durant: 38 (against Clippers in 2019)
2. Damian Lillard: 35 (today)
3 (tie). Lillard: 34 (against Thunder in 2019)
3 (tie). Vince Carter: 34 (against 76ers in 2001) – 8:13 PM

StatMuse @statmuse
At halftime:
Dame — Pacers —
35 PTS 40 PTS
11-19 FG 16-45 FG
6-10 3P 3-18 3P pic.twitter.com/srDZp6DCAd – 8:13 PM

Kevin O’Connor @KevinOConnorNBA
Damian Lillard remembers pic.twitter.com/EYpdlxcEAx – 8:12 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Dame has 33 with 1:15 left in the first half. KD with 38 in a first half is the playoff record. Sleepy Floyd has the record for any half with 39. – 8:12 PM

Fred Katz @FredKatz
Damian Lillard talking about how the tables will turn after they played the Pacers in the IST and then dropping a 35-point half to begin their playoff series is the definition of walking the walk – 8:12 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Half: Bucks 69, Pacers 42
– Lillard 35pts/3reb/2ast
– Middleton 8pts/7reb/3ast
– Portis 8pts/5reb
That is an all-time first half performance by Damian Lillard. Wow. – 8:12 PM

Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
Damian Lillard’s 35 points is a @Bucks playoff record for points scored in a half – 8:12 PM

Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
Well damn Dame – 8:11 PM

Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Pacers 40, Lillard 34 late in the half. – 8:11 PM

Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Damian Lillard debuts the Adidas Dame 9 to kick off the NBA Playoffs pic.twitter.com/VA8AFkYGYe – 8:11 PM

Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
We are watching a Master At Work!!! Stop that Dame. God Bless America – 8:11 PM

Kane Pitman @KanePitman
Not many cooler things than watching an individual display like the one Damian lillard is putting on in this half. – 8:10 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Dame has 33 with 1:15 left in the half. KD with 38 in a half is the playoff record. – 8:10 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Damian Lillard is on an absolute heater. My goodness. This is crazy. – 8:09 PM

Frank Madden @fmaddenNBA
Incredible statement from Dame to come out like THIS in his Bucks playoff debut. After all the noise and chaos of the regular season you couldn’t have scripted a better first half. Have mercy! – 8:09 PM

Rosalyn Gold-Onwude @ROSGO21
Dame is single handedly making this womp womp blowout entertaining – 8:09 PM

Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
Dame going nuts, man. – 8:09 PM

Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Dame 29, Pacers 29. pic.twitter.com/owiJ4uXTiO – 8:07 PM

Dave Mason @DeuceMason
Dame is on one right noooow – 8:05 PM

Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Dame 27, Pacers 28. pic.twitter.com/CNvIoW8Cw7 – 8:05 PM

Rosalyn Gold-Onwude @ROSGO21
Dame coooooooookin!!! – 8:05 PM

Ben Anderson @BensHoops
Pacers 29
Dame 27
– 8:05 PM

Monte Poole @MontePooleNBCS
Stop it, Dame!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 – 8:05 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Phew. Damian Lillard is absolutely cooking. Just jabstepped a 30 footer.
He’s up to 27 points, three rebounds and two assists in 16 minutes. He’s 9-of-15 from the field, including 5-of-8 from 3.
Bucks up, 56-29, with 3:24 left in the first half. – 8:05 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
Lillard just ripping jumpers from anywhere. They’re all going in. – 8:04 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
The Pacers are 0-12 from 3 and have made probably at least 12 defensive mistakes.
Couple that with Dame cooking and we’ve got yet another rout on our hands in a weekend full of them. – 8:02 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
No, Andrew Nembhard, the scheme is not to switch Doug McDermott onto Damian Lillard. You might want to stay with him. – 8:01 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Dame is off to one of those special playoff performances. You think he missed this moment? Absolutely.
24pts. Pacers only have 29 in 19mins. – 8:00 PM

Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Dame on a heater – 7:59 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
That’s a ridiculous stepback by Damian Lillard.
Looked like a 3, but they called it a two with his foot on the line. – 7:59 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
Dame back in with 7:08 to go in the half. Bucks won the minutes without him by 11 points. – 7:55 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Pacers have managed four points in the last seven minutes of game time. It’s a 22-4 Bucks run.
And Carlisle has to burn another timeout after a blown defensive assignment. You knew Dame would go off, but the Pacers haven’t responded.
7TOs and 0/10 from 3. – 7:51 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
These are big minutes for the Bucks.
After playing the whole first quarter, I’d guess Lillard is going to get at least four minutes off here, so it will be all about Khris Middleton offensively for the next few minutes. – 7:41 PM

Kelly Iko @KellyIko
30-foot triple at the buzzer, 19 points for Dame Lillard after one quarter. I think he read this before tipoff? My goodness.
theathletic.com/5430463/2024/0… – 7:38 PM

Justin Garcia @tmjgarcia
Damian Lillard’s 19 points match his season high for points in a quarter and give the @bucks a 9 point lead going into the 2nd quarter – 7:37 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Buzzer-beating stepback triple to end the first quarter for Damian Lillard. He’s up to 19 points and the Bucks lead, 30-21, after one quarter.
And if my lip reading of the jumbotron is not mistaken, Damian Lillard just said, “This is what I came here for.” – 7:37 PM

Wes Goldberg @wcgoldberg
Damian Lillard hasn’t been in the playoffs since 2021 but it doesn’t look like he forgot what it’s about. – 7:36 PM

Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
Dame MF Dolla!!! He’s just getting started ladies and gentlemen. Like I said he will be the best player in this series! Carry the hell on… – 7:36 PM

StatMuse @statmuse
Points after the 1st quarter:
21 — Pacers
19 — Dame
Bucks up 30-21. pic.twitter.com/pK9B0SUl69 – 7:36 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
Damian Lillard is already up to his point total from the season finale against Orlando halfway through the first quarter. Absolutely tremendous start for him. Exactly what Milwaukee needed with Giannis Antetokounmpo sidelined. – 7:29 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
These Lillard PnRs on the left side of the floor are killing the Pacers. He’s just going right by the big to his left hand, which is the way he wants to go. – 7:28 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Lillard having just the start the Bucks needed, even more so with Giannis out. He’s a veteran of these moments and is pouncing early.
Dame 15, Pacers 15.
Pacers will have to mix coverages defensively. Timeout. – 7:28 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
Lillard with 15. Pacers with 15. Bucks running almost everything with him involved. – 7:27 PM

Kelly Iko @KellyIko
The Pacers need to find out an answer for Lillard — quickly. Has 15 of Milwaukee’s first 19 points with 3:18 remaining in the 1st. – 7:27 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
I can’t remember the last time I saw Damian Lillard take a heat check 3. Just tried a pull-up from 30 feet.
Missed it, but he had earned it with an early 13 points. – 7:26 PM

Sean Highkin @highkin
Awesome start for Dame – 7:19 PM

Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
Indiana avoiding fouls on jump shots by Lillard and Middleton is one of the keys to this series. Nembhard gets caught early with a 3-shot foul. – 7:19 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Dame is getting going early, has 8 of their first 12pts. Made three FTs after a bad Pacers foul, then drained a deep triple. – 7:18 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
8 early points from Dame. Big 3 on the previous possession. He looks great so far. – 7:18 PM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
Damian Lillard just got to the line for three free throws on the curl screen stop and pop.
That’s a big one for him. – 7:16 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
Nembhard on Lillard, Nesmith on Middleton, Haliburton on Beverley, Turner on Lopez, Siakam on Portis. And vice versa. – 7:12 PM

NBA Kicks @NBAKicks
The adidas Dame 9 for @Dame_Lillard! #NBAKicks pic.twitter.com/zfG9vVjRJ7 – 7:04 PM

Tony East @TonyREast
Bucks starting Damian Lillard, Patrick Beverley, Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis, and Brook Lopez without Giannis. The usual Haliburton, Nembhard, Nesmith, Siakam, and Lopez group for the Pacers. – 6:33 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Carlisle emphasized the need to be physical at the point-of-attack v Bucks.
“Our thing has to got to be persistence.”
With Giannis out, he’s expecting more from Lillard and Portis.
Adds that the five regular-season meetings don’t mean much. “This is a new starting point.” – 5:56 PM

Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“[Damian Lillard] is going to be picked on by Indiana”
 
@TermineRadio & @JumpShot8 on what the Bucks’ star guard will face while Giannis is out.
 
Hear Pacers-Bucks at 7p ET on Channel 86 or the 👉 sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive (sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive) pic.twitter.com/otfD8183zd – 1:19 PM

Scott Agness @ScottAgness
Pacers Playoff Primer:
– Haliburton got recharge that he needed
– latest on Giannis and Dame
– Carlisle sets a new standard
– What to watch for
– Uniforms, TV, officials
– Colts/Fever cheering them on
– and much more!
fieldhousefiles.com/p/pacers-2024-… pic.twitter.com/4Sooddm3p0 – 11:05 AM

Kelly Iko @KellyIko
Ahead of Game 1, catch up on the latest #Pacers content on @TheAthleticNBA —
• Series preview w/ @eric_nehm: shorturl.at/stKN9
• Analytical look around w/ @SethPartnow: shorturl.at/hjrF7
• Defending Dame Lillard: shorturl.at/FPWY7 pic.twitter.com/M4gTZa4IvT – 10:29 AM

Eric Nehm @eric_nehm
If Giannis Antetokounmpo cannot play tonight in Game 1, Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton will run the show for the Bucks.
And they will have to avoid the thing that has plagued them all season.
“We just can’t get stuck.” – Doc Rivers
At @TheAthletic: theathletic.com/5427326/2024/0… – 10:06 AM

Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
Ira Winderman: Postseason could create another Heat star search (Summer of Lillard 2.0?) sun-sentinel.com/2024/04/20/ira… Why it could be worth looking elsewhere this postseason, as well. – 8:41 AM

Jim Owczarski @JimOwczarski
Damian Lillard explains what pace means, and why Doc Rivers is pushing for it jsonline.com/story/sports/n… by ⁦@LoriNickel⁩ – 11:36 PM