Milwaukee Bucks’ standout Damian Lillard Climbs has ascended to fifth place on the NBA’s all-time 3-point list, tallying 2,451 successful shots from beyond the arc and overtaking Kyle Korver in the process. This milestone was achieved during the third quarter of the Bucks’ clash against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
During the game, a pivotal moment unfolded a few minutes post-halftime when Lillard and Brook Lopez interchanged roles, with Lopez setting up the play. Utilizing Lopez’s pass, Lillard found himself wide open on the wing and effortlessly sunk the shot, marking a significant achievement.
Following this milestone, a tribute video from Korver, now the Atlanta Hawks’ assistant general manager, was showcased during the first timeout. Korver hailed Lillard for entering the esteemed top-five list of all-time 3-pointers, commending his impact on the game’s evolution and his remarkable shooting mechanics.
Currently, Damian Lillard Climbs stands as the third active player in the top five, trailing only Reggie Miller, James Harden, Ray Allen, and Steph Curry. With a 109-shot margin behind Miller, he’s anticipated to surpass this record later in the season. While overtaking Allen seems probable given his health, surpassing Harden and Curry, who are still active and close in age, appears less likely.
Ahead of the game, Pacers’ head coach Rick Carlisle praised Lillard, citing him and Steph Curry as pivotal influencers in popularizing the ultra-long 3-point shot. Carlisle acknowledged Terry Stotts, Lillard’s coach from day one, for nurturing his shooting abilities, especially the high pick-and-rolls and one-dribble pull-ups, underscoring Lillard’s significant contribution to the game’s evolution.
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