MILWAUKEE– Damien Lillard has handled every kind of accidents throughout his 13 seasons within the NBA, however he is by no means needed to fear about recovering from a concussion earlier than.
Her return of concussion protocol put the Milwaukee Bucks guard in a way more acquainted state of affairs.
Lillard returned after lacking three video games and made a game-winning layup with 3.9 seconds left for the Bucks. Victory 101-100 on Houston which ended Rockets‘ 5 consecutive victories on Monday.
“It was really the primary time in my life that I had a concussion,” Lillard mentioned after the sport. “I’ve performed soccer. I field on a regular basis. I have been in conditions the place you’d anticipate me to have had a concussion earlier than, however for the primary time.
“Often when one thing goes incorrect with me, I really feel like I can get by way of it and I am okay. It was most likely one of many first occasions in my life and positively in my NBA profession the place I used to be like, ‘I am okay.’ “One thing’s incorrect. .’ It was slightly irritating as a result of I had no alternative however to undergo the method, I simply needed to acknowledge how I used to be feeling, and I knew I wasn’t fully okay. »
Lillard has had his ups and downs in his return. He had 18 factors and 10 assists, however missed all six of his 3-point makes an attempt and could not convert some contested layups he normally makes.
However when the sport was on the road, Lillard delivered, as he has all through his profession.
“I feel he’s probably the greatest to ever do it, like end a recreation,” the Bucks star mentioned. Giannis Antetokounmpo mentioned.
Lillard’s closing means has precipitated Bucks coach Doc Rivers to attract comparisons to one of many biggest shooters of all time.
“Woman simply has numerous braveness, you understand?” Rivers mentioned. “It jogs my memory numerous Ray Allen in that approach. Ray did not have many dangerous nights capturing, however when he had one, should you had a shot to make, you continue to wished to go to him. And that is it. is the way you’ I really feel about Woman. Whether or not he is on fireplace or not, he simply has this factor in him that he believes he ought to take the final shot and make the final shot. And he does it repeatedly. “
The Bucks trailed 100-99 when Lillard had the ball in his palms within the last seconds. He drove into the lane, cut up two defenders and made a layup that gave Milwaukee the lead for good.
“I felt prefer it was a type of video games the place I needed to hold going, hold my foot on the fuel all through the entire stretch,” Lillard mentioned. “It got here right down to these final two performs. I obtained one and we have been capable of get a cease on the opposite finish.”
It was the type of second Lillard so badly wished to ship throughout his troublesome work week to return to the court docket.
“I have been attempting to actually expedite my approach by way of the protocols to have the ability to come again,” Lillard mentioned. “I feel that ended up working towards me. I did half-hour of biking, half-hour of treadmill, half-hour on the court docket in in the future simply to attempt to see how I felt. I noticed that I used to be” After which from there I used to be doing 45 minute exercises on the sector, simply attempting to do that quick tempo, with much less breaks, stuff like that simply to push myself and attempt to compensate for the very fact to not be on the bottom. “
