Damian Lillard hit one of the most legendary series-clinching buzzer-beaters on Tuesday night.
The Portland Trail Blazers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder on a step-back 37-foot Lillard three-pointer and the NBA world is still pretty shook after the game-winner. With the shot, the Blazers eliminated the Thunder in five games and moved on to the second round where they face the winner of the Denver-San Antonio series, which the Nuggets now lead, 3-2.
But this isn’t the first time “DAME TIME” has taken down an opponent in such a ridiculous, jaw-dropping way.
In May 2014, Lillard hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Blazers a 99-98 win over the Houston Rockets that clinched a 4-2 win in that season’s first round of the playoffs.
Chandler Parsons was on that 2014 Rockets team — the small forward plays for the Memphis Grizzlies now — and he took to social media after Tuesday night’s game to reminisce on the shot, and remind the Thunder that this isn’t the first time Dame has broken a team’s heart at the last second.
According to ESPN, Lillard noted that this shot was different in his mind. In 2014, the Blazers were down two, and he broke the play to go get the ball. But in Tuesday’s game, there was less pressure because a miss meant the OKC game would just go to overtime.
There’s a chance the Rockets and Trail Blazers could meet in the playoffs this year, provided both teams make it to the conference finals. The potential for seven games between James Harden and Lillard has us salivating with hope and anticipation.
