Damian Lillard's buzzer-beating, game-winning, series-clinching 37-footer over the outstretched arms of Paul George on Aprul 24th is even more impressive given the Portland Trail Blazers' recent playoff history.
In 2017, the Blazers were embarrassed by the eventual-champion Golden State Warriors in a first-round sweep with an average margin of victory of 18 points. A year ago, as the three seed in a loaded Western Conference field, they were swept out of the first round by the New Orleans Pelicans in just as humiliating a fashion. Portland has made the playoffs every year since LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, and Wesley Matthews left town in the summer of 2015, and generally shown incremental progress on an annual basis. But without advancing past the first round again this year, would the Blazers really feel comfortable staying the course with a core led by Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum?
Lillard's dagger of all daggers not only ended the Oklahoma City Thunder's season, but forcefully ended growing speculation that Portland would be forced to undergo major changes in the offseason. It meant far more to the Blazers than even the instant-classic drama of the moment suggested, and now they'll get to remember it forever.
Already on the wall right outside the Blazers locker room: pic.twitter.com/ugm5lpokDe
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) May 4, 2019
That's what it looks like right outside of Portland's locker room at Moda Center. Talk about inspiration.
Not that the Blazers will need it in Game 3 against the Denver Nuggets, of course. After winning a Game 2 slugfest at Pepsi Center on Wednesday night and stealing home-court advantage, Portland has a golden opportunity to take control of the Western Conference Semifinals.
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