Dame Time: Lillard Blazing Through the Month of January

Damian Lillard won two consecutive Western Conference Player of the Week awards. His play through January puts him in the forefront of the MVP conversation.

Fenhus Kebrom
02/04/2020 03:43 PM

Dame Time: Lillard Blazing Through the Month of January — *Damian Lillard shoots over Joe Ingles during the second half of the Jazz vs Trail Blazers en route to a 51 point performance*

Author: AP Photos/Steve Dykes

While Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo continue to make headway in the MVP race, another player has slowly brought himself into the conversation

It's not difficult to see how spectacular Damian Lillard's play has been in January. The 5-time all-star has bolstered himself into the MVP conversation throughout this month and the reason is simple, he is lighting up the league. This month Lillard leads the NBA with 34.1 points per game. Lillard is also 4th in assists in January with 8.4 a contest. But the real magic this month is his ridiculous six-game stretch.

Lillard's historic tear has been nothing short of amazing. The first game of this stretch would arguably be his best. Against Golden State on January 20th, Lillard would set a franchise record and career high as he went off for 61 points. Lillard also came in clutch to send the game into overtime, which the Blazers won by five. Lillard also posted his first career triple-double in a win against Houston. Lillard put up 36 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds. Lillard is the first player in NBA history to average more than 45 points and 10 assists over a six game span. Lillard in that same time also managed to be the first in NBA history to make at least six threes in six consecutive contests.

While Lillard's play is MVP worthy to say the least, The Portland Trail Blazers are currently 2 games out of the 8th seed and sit at 23-27. Since the NBA/ABA merger, no MVP has ever missed the playoffs. Lillard's strong play would need to carry his Trail Blazers into post-season play for a shot at MVP. Whether that happens is a wait and see situation. But make no mistake, Dame Time is here!