Damian Lillard’s Brief Bucks Stint Delivered All-Star Glory, NBA Cup Title, and Unforgettable Impact Despite Constant Injuries

Damian Lillard’s time with the Milwaukee Bucks may go down as one of the shortest yet most eventful tenures in recent NBA memory. Though his stint was marred by injuries and constant lineup adjustments, Lillard still managed to carve out a legacy in Milwaukee that demands recognition for its sheer volume of accolades, heroics, and moments of brilliance—all squeezed into less than two full seasons. From All-Star Game MVP to a pivotal role in the Bucks’ inaugural NBA Cup championship, Lillard defied his physical limitations and elevated the Bucks in ways both tangible and symbolic.

Arriving in Milwaukee ahead of the 2023–24 season after a blockbuster trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard joined forces with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo in what many viewed as an instant title contender. The move sent shockwaves through the league, not just for the high-profile partnership, but for the changing identity of the Bucks’ offense. Gone was the methodical halfcourt approach led by Jrue Holiday; in came the dynamic shot creation, logo-range threat, and clutch pedigree of “Dame Time.”

Lillard wasted little time introducing himself to Bucks fans. He erupted for 39 points in his debut against the Philadelphia 76ers, including multiple clutch buckets down the stretch. It was a perfect encapsulation of the new Milwaukee: a team that could close games with a nuclear scorer while still benefiting from Giannis’ dominance inside. Despite persistent injuries to his groin and Achilles that nagged throughout the campaign, Lillard still managed to play in 73 games across the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons, averaging 24.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting with remarkable efficiency—his 60.4% true shooting a testament to his continued elite scoring ability.

Even more impressively, Lillard earned back-to-back All-Star nods in both seasons he wore a Bucks jersey. In 2024, he not only made the team but was named All-Star Game MVP, lighting up the court with deep threes and signature flair en route to the award. It was a full-circle moment for a player whose move to Milwaukee was heavily scrutinized. For Lillard, it was validation—not just that he could still dominate at the highest level, but that he could do so in a new environment, under a brighter spotlight, and despite physical setbacks.

His All-Star accolades were only the beginning. Lillard added another trophy to his case in February 2024 when he claimed the Three-Point Contest crown, once again showcasing his elite shooting in a setting tailor-made for his skill set. What made it more satisfying was how effortless he made it look. Cool, calm, and surgical, Lillard outshot some of the league’s finest marksmen to clinch the title, further cementing his legacy as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.

But the most meaningful hardware may have come in December 2023, when the Bucks took home the league’s first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament Championship, defeating the Indiana Pacers in the final in Las Vegas. Lillard was instrumental throughout the tournament, hitting key shots and providing poise and leadership to a Bucks team navigating through the early-season grind. While Giannis was awarded MVP of the tournament, Lillard’s fingerprints were all over the Bucks’ title run. His floor-spacing alone changed how defenses approached Milwaukee, opening up lanes and opportunities for everyone from Khris Middleton to Brook Lopez. Even while hampered by injury and not at full speed, Lillard was still a gravity-defying force defenses had to respect every second he was on the floor.

This stretch of brilliance, however, was clouded by injuries that rarely allowed fans to see Lillard at 100%. He missed stretches due to ankle, Achilles, and groin issues, and his minutes were carefully monitored by Bucks medical staff. Despite the limitations, he never used his health as an excuse. He continued to compete at an elite level, and when the moment called for it—when the lights were brightest—Lillard delivered.

Even in the playoffs, where Milwaukee ultimately fell short in consecutive postseason runs, Lillard showed flashes of the superstar he’s always been. His Game 1 explosion against the Indiana Pacers in the 2024 first round—35 points in a half—was vintage Dame Time. It wasn’t just the scoring. It was the command. The confidence. The sense that no lead was safe and no stage too big. Though the Bucks’ postseason exits were disappointing, few blamed Lillard. In fact, his efforts were often seen as the very thing keeping Milwaukee in the fight while the team battled injuries and chemistry issues elsewhere on the roster.

What makes Lillard’s Milwaukee chapter even more compelling is how he embraced the city and the role. He wasn’t trying to be the face of the franchise—he understood this was Giannis’ team. Instead, Lillard leaned into leadership in subtler ways, by mentoring younger players, being a calming voice in timeouts, and showing up when it mattered most. There was a clear mutual respect between him and Antetokounmpo, both understanding they were at the same stage of their careers: chasing rings, legacy, and greatness before time runs out.

Off the court, Lillard never stopped being a cultural force. His rap persona, Dame D.O.L.L.A., remained active, and his music even featured in promotional content during the NBA Cup. But he wasn’t just an entertainer—he was a professional in the truest sense. No drama. No ego. Just a relentless drive to compete and contribute.

While rumors now swirl that Lillard may be on the move again as the Bucks reevaluate their long-term core, what he accomplished in such a condensed, turbulent stretch shouldn’t be forgotten or minimized. His Bucks résumé, though brief, reads like a full career: two All-Star appearances, an All-Star MVP, a Three-Point Contest championship, an NBA Cup title, and countless clutch moments. He didn’t just pad stats—he collected banners, changed games, and gave Milwaukee a version of Lillard that even Portland fans hadn’t always seen: the Lillard who could dominate without needing to dominate the ball, who could lead by fitting in, not just standing out.

Injuries may have robbed fans of a full-strength, full-season Damian Lillard in Milwaukee, but they couldn’t steal the impact he made. He gave the Bucks everything he had, every time he was on the floor. And while the ring they all hoped for didn’t materialize, Lillard’s legacy in Milwaukee is still secure. He showed what it means to adapt, to lead through adversity, and to shine even when your body is begging for rest.

For a player whose heart will always be in Oakland and Portland, Lillard gave a piece of himself to Milwaukee. And the city, even if just for a blink in NBA time, gave it right back. A championship may have eluded him, but in under two seasons, Damian Lillard accomplished more with one team than most players do in a decade. That alone deserves its place in the Bucks’ story—and in NBA history.