Lillard Makes His MVP Case With Run of Stellar Outings

Despite a long list of injury woes, the Trail Blazers have found a way to rally behind the stellar play of Damian Lillard to amass a 16-10 overall record. Lillard, who is averaging 29.2 points per game through 25 outings this season, detailed how he views himself inside the NBA’s hierarchy of stars following his latest 30-point outing on Sunday.

After the Blazers’ exciting 121-118 win over the Mavericks, NBC Sports Northwest’s Jamie Hudson highlighted Lillard’s comments.

“I see myself at the top of the league,” Lillard said postgame. “I’m one of the best players in this league and I feel like I’m on that level and the way our team is playing, given our circumstances, make it even more obvious to me.”

Lillard’s next-level output is not lost on his teammates. After the game, third-year guard Anfernee Simons spotlighted the contributions that Lillard makes as a teammate and mentor.

“His leadership – everything he says holds a lot of weight for everybody on the team from top to bottom. We just trust in him and everything that he does.”

Lillard and the Blazers return to action on Tuesday with a matchup against the Thunder in OKC.

You can read the full story from Hudson at NBC Sports Northwest.