'This is what y'all brought me here for:' Damian Lillard has superb reaction during epic first half in playoffs for Bucks vs Pacers
Is Damian Lillard happy in Milwaukee?
It's been a topic of conversation through an up-and-down Bucks season, but he sure looked fired up to be wearing a Milwaukee Bucks uniform on Sunday when he scored a franchise playoff record 35 points in a half as Milwaukee defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the first-round series, 109-94.
The Bucks official X account posted reaction that pretty clearly shows Lillard use the words "This is what y'all brought me here for" after one of his 11 first-half field goals. The Bucks, of course, acquired the former Portland Trail Blazers superstar shortly before the season, and with Giannis Antetokounmpo missing the playoff opener with a calf strain, Lillard took his turn to shine.
"This is what ya'll brought me here for." pic.twitter.com/JgjmxzbJeP
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) April 22, 2024
Lillard averaged 24.3 points per game this season in Milwaukee, nearly 8 points less per game than last year, though that's perhaps understandable given the new dynamic playing alongisde Antetokounmpo.
He also saw his 3-point percentage dip to the third-lowest mark of his career at 35.4%. But he played in 73 games, the most since 2018-19, and the Bucks were just 1-8 in games Lillard did not appear.
On Sunday, he was a central presence, at least in the first half, complete with the memorable proclamation.
Damian Lillard remembers pic.twitter.com/EYpdlxcEAx
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) April 22, 2024
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Damian Lillard has superb reaction during big first half for Bucks