Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Bucks' Lillard drops 40, joins 20,000-point club

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Tuesday, 19 December 2023 22:35

MILWAUKEE -- Damian Lillard didn't bother hiding what his latest career milestone meant to him.

Lillard scored a season-high 40 points to push his career total over 20,000, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple-double and the Milwaukee Bucks trounced San Antonio 132-119 on Tuesday night as the Spurs played without Victor Wembanyama due to a sore right ankle.

"I don't want to fake downplay it like it's nothing," Lillard said. "I know it's a big deal. It's a great accomplishment. It's a rare space to be in."

Lillard increased his career point total to 20,034 and became the 51st person in NBA history -- and eighth active player -- to reach 20,000 points. Lillard, who was playing his 794th career game, became the 17th-fastest player to reach that milestone.

"When you look at Dame, obviously he can shoot the ball," Bucks coach Adrian Griffin said. "He can stretch the floor. He just puts a lot of pressure on your defense. If you bring your bigs up, he can drive around them. He's strong enough and physical enough to finish at the rim. He just has no weaknesses on the offensive end."

The other active players with at least 20,000 points are LeBron James, Kevin Durant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan and Chris Paul.

Lillard, James, Curry and Harden are the only players in NBA history to have 20,000 points, 5,000 assists and 2,000 3-pointers.

"I look at what led up to it," Lillard said. "All of the things that I think of in high school, in college and the doubt that I faced over the course of my career, before the NBA -- what I wasn't supposed to be, what I wasn't supposed to accomplish, and just my mentality through all those things. Sometimes you don't really see the light at the end of the tunnel. You've just got to have that faith in yourself."

Antetokounmpo had a career-high 16 assists, 14 rebounds and a season-low 11 points for his 37th career triple-double, and second this season. His other triple-double came in a 132-121 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Dec. 2.

Wembanyama's injury prevented him from facing off with Antetokounmpo for the first time in his pro career. This was only the second game the 7-foot-3 rookie has missed.

"I don't think we're expecting it to be long-term or anything," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said before the game.

Milwaukee has gone 5-0 during this season-long, six-game homestand. The Bucks have won their last 14 games at Fiserv Forum for their longest home winning streak since reeling off 20 straight victories in Milwaukee from April 19, 1990, to Jan. 8, 1991.

Bobby Portis added 23 points and 10 rebounds, Khris Middleton scored 17 points and Brook Lopez had 14 points and six blocks for the Bucks.

Keldon Johnson had 28 points and 12 rebounds for the Spurs, while Zach Collins added 22 points and Devin Vassell had 17.

The Spurs have lost 20 of their last 21 games.

After a basket from Collins opened the scoring, the Bucks pulled ahead for good by going on a 21-1 run that ended midway through the first quarter.

Read 46 times

Soccer

NWSL roundup: Banda carries Pride past Courage

NWSL roundup: Banda carries Pride past Courage

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarbra Banda scored two goals and helped create two others as the O...

Crew take down Monterrey, advance to CCC final

Crew take down Monterrey, advance to CCC final

Goals from Aidan Morris and Diego Rossi on either side of halftime led the Columbus to a 3-1 victory...

Postecoglou: Spurs undecided on Werner future

Postecoglou: Spurs undecided on Werner future

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAnge Postecoglou said Tottenham are undecided whether to take up th...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Celtics 'learning from our mistakes,' close out Heat

Celtics 'learning from our mistakes,' close out Heat

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- The Boston Celtics pounded the short-handed Miami Heat 11...

Clips on brink but still believe, cite recent history

Clips on brink but still believe, cite recent history

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLOS ANGELES -- After playing their worst game of the series and los...

Baseball

Dodgers ace Buehler expected to return on Mon.

Dodgers ace Buehler expected to return on Mon.

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler is expected t...

Mets' Lindor exits early with flu-like symptoms

Mets' Lindor exits early with flu-like symptoms

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Francisco Lindor left the New York Mets' game against t...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated