Damian Lillard Climbs MVP Ladder

Fueled by a string of superb performances, Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has established his place on a short list of MVP candidates through the first quarter of the 2020-21 regular season. In the latest MVP race update from HoopsHype, contributor Frank Urbina moved Lillard up to No. 7 on the list.

Urbina credited Lillard’s recent heroics for the shift in his placement on the list.

As has become almost customary over recent years, the Portland Trail Blazers have experienced a bunch of injuries and now the bulk of the load has fallen on Damian Lillard’s shoulders.

As usual, Lillard has responded magnificently, averaging 32.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists over his last seven games, though that hasn’t been quite enough for the Blazers, who have a -7.6 net rating over that stretch, the fifth-worst mark in the league.

In his last 10 outings, Lillard has crossed the 30-point threshold on all but three occasions. He has notched at least 40 points in two of those 10 outings. On the season, the former Weber State star is averaging 29.1 points and 7.3 assists per game.

You can read the complete rundown of the MVP race at HoopsHype.