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.