“Never let the fighting spirit die.” No one took it more seriously than the Milwaukee Bucks. But Damian Lillard? For him, the season looked all but over after his DVT diagnosis. After all, it ended Victor Wembanyama’s season. But after a 36-day struggle, Dame miraculously made it back to game fitness for the Bucks. Well, tonight, he was part of the Milwaukee Bucks‘ first win of the postseason, knocking the Pacers down in the 117-101 fight. And following the game, his teammate, Giannis Antetokounmpo, admitted how he really feels about playing alongside the former Blazers star.

But Dame also had some confessions of his own to make. Specifically, what it was like sitting on the sidelines as his team fought in the regular season and in the Playoffs. See, Damian Lillard didn’t have the best showing tonight, with only 7 points. But he did have 2 crucial steals and 2 blocks. And this defensive vigor was a direct result of a “mental hardness” he underwent during his month-long recovery from DVT.

“After having so much time off, just sometimes your rhythm and your timing, things can feel good, but it’s just a it’s a work in progress. And, it’s just a mental battle. You gotta keep finding a way, however you could [to] impact the game. And that was my focus. It’s just to help find a way to win. However that looked or whatever I needed to do, I was gonna do it. And, kinda just pour into the team,” said Dame about his efforts in the game.

Dame Time then elaborated on how this isn’t a one-and-done. Instead, it’s a process. “And [I] do that knowing that, each game, I’ll feel better and better, and I just gotta keep giving myself a chance to turn that corner and, for things to click. And, tonight, that’s what it was for me,” finished Dame. That’s the mindset Dame has that separates him and other elite players from the rest of the pack. It doesn’t matter if it’s a pass, a block, or even a screen. The elite find a way to impact a game even if they’re having an off-night. The good thing about him tonight is that he hit those 30 minutes as Giannis and Gray took charge with 37 points each.

And his efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Giannis revealed how much he liked playing his first-ever Playoff game alongside Dame at the Fiserv Forum, the Bucks’ home. “Feels amazing, feels amazing,” Giannis told a reporter who asked what it was like. Clearly, the Greek Freak appreciates Dame’s efforts to help the Bucks win in whatever way he can.

Speaking of their win, we definitely saw a massive improvement in the Bucks’ game compared to their last 2 outings. And after the game, Damian Lillard revealed exactly what the key to victory was tonight.

Damian Lillard’s word of caution as Bucks keep series alive

The Pacers came with the right intent and kept the game in their favor till the first half, and even Dame recognized it. “I think to start the game, we didn’t make shots. We got opportunities, but we didn’t make shots.” But what separated the two teams today? Well, Dame thinks it has to do with the team’s effort as a whole despite a slow start to the game.

“But our minds was in the right place. We were physical, we were connected defensively, offensively. We made the right plays and found guys that were open, and we just kept trusting it. And I think, when you do it so well in a game, it starts to feel like it’s easy,” he added. Despite the Pacers leading the series 2-1, the Bucks got a huge morale boost after the win tonight. After all, a 3-0 deficit would be insanely difficult to overcome. But the Bucks’ number 0 also asserted that this cannot be a one-off.

“We can’t forget that going into the next game and think that it’s just gonna happen. You know, we gotta bring that same mentality and that same energy into the game,” said Dame. And he’s absolutely on point with this analysis. This series has become a lot more interesting after the Bucks finally found their feet in this game. But the job isn’t even close to being done.

Now’s when they put their foot on the gas and seal the series. They’ll need to win the next 2 games on the trot against the Pacers, though. And calling this a Herculean effort feels like an understatement. But if he can bring Dame Time to Fiserv Forum on Sunday, well, the Bucks may just be moving on to the second round of the Playoffs!