The Ringer: Damian Lillard One of the League’s Best Players This Season

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has found yet another gear this season. His team has certainly needed it, with Portland’s roster enduring injury after injury to key contributors. Lillard’s MVP-level play earned him the No. 7 spot on The Ringer’s list of the best players so far this season:

When Lillard hurt his groin badly enough to keep him out of all All-Star Weekend festivities aside from his halftime rap performance, it didn’t come as a total surprise. Lillard has been carrying a huge burden. In a season filled with injuries, Portland has needed Lillard to go supernova, and he has done just that, averaging nearly 30 points and eight assists per game (both career highs) as well as a career-high 55.6 effective field goal percentage while attempting 10 (!) 3s a game. Lillard has, at his best, filled the Steph Curry–size void this NBA season. And while Dame hasn’t done it as long as Steph, he has grabbed our attention by torching teams lately: In his past 12 games, Lillard is averaging more than 37 points a game and had a run of 61, 47, and 50 points in three straight games.

Lillard is ranked ahead of Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (8) and below Mavs superstar Luka Doncic (6). Giannis Antetokounmpo earned the top spot. You can view the full rankings here.

What do you think of Lillard’s rank among other stars this season? Let us know in the comments.