NO DAME TIME THIS TIME AROUND.
The Portland Trail Blazers spoiled Damian Lillard’s return to Rip City after escaping with a 119-116 win at the Moda Center on Thursday (PHL time).
As his name was called up in the team’s introductions, Lillard received loud applause and even a standing ovation from the Portland crowd.
The Trail Blazers also played a tribute video to Dame during the first quarter.Standing O, for The Letter O pic.twitter.com/24m9x28lCi
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 1, 2024
Welcome back, D.O.L.L.A. pic.twitter.com/37G9lW5YbH
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 1, 2024
Dame and the Bucks trailed for most of the game until a late surge in the fourth quarter.
Milwaukee would grab a one-point lead with less than 40 seconds to go in the game after an alley-oop dunk by Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But the Blazers would come right back as Anfernee Simons delivered a clutch floating jump shot to give his team the lead once more.
SIMONS RETAKES THE LEAD FOR PORTLAND WITH 17 SECONDS LEFT!
— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2024
Trail Blazers-Bucks | LIVE on ESPN pic.twitter.com/KWDbnF7kRC
Come the Bucks’ possession, Brook Lopez missed what would have been a possible game-winning three-pointer.
Jerami Grant would then make two free throws on the other end before smartly sending Antetokounmpo to the line.
The former NBA MVP missed his first free throw and then forcibly missed the second one, however, the Bucks were unable to grab the offensive rebound.
In his return to Rip City, Lillard finished with 25 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.
Simons, meanwhile, led Portland with 24 points, three rebounds, and five assists.
Aside from playing against his old team, Lillard also recently became the first athlete to have a location named in his honor at Adidas' North America campus in Portland.
Adidas surprised Lillard by organizing a basketball court dedication ceremony at the headquarters, now officially recognized as the "Damian Lillard Court."
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
