Damian Lillard shows off in his playoff debut
Dame had already posted plenty of huge box scores and clutch highlights in his first three seasons, but was lusting for a taste of postseason action. Once the Oakland native got there in 2014, he made quick work cementing his legacy as a top playoff performer.
The Blazers entered the postseason as a five seed, behind the inspired play of their young superstar guard and the veteran low-post work of LaMarcus Aldridge. The two combined for a staggering 77 points in their playoff opener against the James Harden-Dwight Howard Houston Rockets.
Aldridge put up a monster 46 point, 18 rebound stat-line, but Lillard did more than his fair share. Dame outdueled James Harden, for one. And in a game decided by two points, the young guard scored five of the Blazers last six points in overtime to seal the victory.
He wrapped up the night with 31 points, five assists, nine rebounds, and shot 47 percent, hitting 43 percent of his triples. Even with a night like that, Dame was not yet satisfied. With already a historic debut in the books, Lillard would go on to wreak even more havoc on the Rockets in this series.