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Ranking Damian Lillard among the best players left in the NBA Playoffs

By Stevie Cozens

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 16: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles the ball up the court on Nickeil Alexander-Walker #6 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Moda Center on March 16, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. Blazers won 125-124. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 16: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles the ball up the court on Nickeil Alexander-Walker #6 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at Moda Center on March 16, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. Blazers won 125-124. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has started the playoffs on an absolute tear.

With the series now poised at two games apiece, Lillard has an impressive stat line of 30.7 points, 9.5 assists with equally impressive shooting efficiency of 40 percent from three-point range, and 93.5 percent from the free-throw line.

Dame has been a top-ten player in the NBA for a while now and is about to make his fourth consecutive All-NBA 1st or 2nd team. With the playoffs now in full swing and some stars like Jimmy Butler already knocked out, where does Lillard rank amongst the 10 best players still in the playoffs?

#10 – Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers

Anthony Davis is maybe the best two-way player in basketball. The six-foot-ten big man is one of the most skilled players in the NBA, with his ability to shoot, pass, score and defend at the highest levels. After a trade in the 2019 off-season saw him join the Lakers, Davis won a title on his first try with the famous club.

Davis has never really got the credit he deserves after spending most of his career playing on the small market New Orleans Pelicans, but in the playoffs last season, he brought it when it mattered most. With monster games all the way through the post-season, he proved why he is one of the best players in the game. Davis is the best number two option in the NBA and firmly a top ten player in the league.

#9 – Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic was the best player in the 2021 regular season. The Serbian big man had a season to remember, as he averaged 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists on a Nuggets team that clinched the third-seed. Jokic is a lock for the MVP, but he still may not be in the best five players in the NBA.

Jokic has impressive counting stats for the playoffs, but he hasn’t yet had huge success on a team level like a few players in this top ten. With the series currently poised at two-a-piece with Jamal Murray out injured, Jokic has the chance to show he is one of the best players in the league in the playoffs too.