Final Stats For Damian Lillard’s Postseason Disappearing Act

Four games into the 2017-18 postseason and the Portland Trail Blazers are getting ready to clean out their lockers. Damian Lillard, who I thought had the best chance to raise his stock in the playoffs, was vastly outplayed by Rajon Rondo and Jrue Holiday and completely disappeared during the four-game stretch.

First, let’s look at his numbers from the regular season: Lillard averaged 26.9 points per game, shot 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range. By about everyone’s estimation, his best season to date.

However, in the four games against the Pelicans, he averaged just 18.5 points and scored 20-plus only one time (20 in Game 3). It’s not like he was just passing to his teammates instead, though; Lillard shot 71 times at a gross clip of 35-percent. And from beyond the arc it wasn’t any better. On 30 three-point attempts, Dame D.O.L.L.A made just nine (30 percent).

Also, between Game’s 3 and 4, he had 15 combined turnovers compared to six assists.

All of his numbers were down at the worst possible time for Portland. But, this really isn’t the first time he’s struggled shooting in the postseason. In fact, in 35 combined NBA Playoff games, Lillard is shooting under 40 percent.

This is why teams need three stars to win big in the postseason. Because really, you need to have two of three on to win.

As for New Orleans, they’re rolling. Anyone who plays them in the upcoming weeks should be freakin’ out.