The Detroit Pistons posed a serious threat to the Milwaukee Bucks. But the Bucks pulled off an incredible 141-135 victory thanks to an incredible 45-point and 11-assist double-double from Damian Lillard. Following his season-high performance, Lillard received high-fives from Giannis Antetokounmpo, his teammate.

Damian Lillard isn’t playing very well this season, despite averaging 25 points and 6.8 assists. In short, Dame hasn’t been making the kind of contribution that was anticipated of him. Despite his poor shooting percentages of 43.1% from the field and 35.5% from beyond the 3-point arc, Giannis persists in showing his belief in the former All-Star.

The Greek Freak talked about how he still expects Dame to be aggressive and take up shots that he consistently attempts after the team’s victory over the Detroit Pistons.

We really need you, Dame. As if you were required to perform the way you did tonight. We depend on you to continue leading this squad, remaining aggressive, making shots, and making the extra pass when necessary. Giannis remarked, “Go get that [expletive] ball even if you are denied.”

Due to “personal reasons,” Lillard was unable to participate in the Bucks vs. Utah Jazz game on January 8. Even though Antetokounmpo scored a triple-double of 25 points in that game, Adrain Griffin’s team lost badly, 132-116.

Upon Lillard’s arrival back at the Bucks training facility, the two-time MVP acknowledged that he was the first member of the team to greet him. He gave Dame a firm embrace, the Greek Freak claimed. Later on in the season, Giannis acknowledged that the game against the Jazz was the “toughest game he ever played.” In the end, the forward was able to make his point: for the Milwaukee team to succeed, Dame must excel.

“Don’t you ever leave me again, man,” I implored him as I went to give him an embrace and squeezed him for about seven seconds, you know, really, really hard. It was the hardest game I had played this season, and it was awful.

Upon his return, Dame has changed tack and improved his performance. The 33-year-old has averaging 27.8 points per game over the last five games. Against the Kings, he struck a game-winning buzzer-beater, and against the Pistons, he scored his highest point of the season.

Antetokounmpo is not incorrect; when Damian Lillard performs at the high level for which he is renowned, the Wisconsin team appears to be a much more formidable team.

Damian Lillard is divorcing his spouse.

There have been rumors circulating since the end of 2023 that Damian Lillard and Kay’La Hanson filed for divorce. Only a few days later, Dame Jr. and the twins Kali Emma Lee and Kalii Laheem made a request for sole custody of their three children.

Kay’La claims that she has served as the kids’ “primary parent.” Damian Lillard, however, did not split the duties. The Oregonian reported:

“Kay’La Lillard stated in her declaration filed on October 6 that she has “been the primary parent for our three children from their birth” and that Damian has never had to take care of the kids on his own for prolonged periods of time without help.

With the assistance of nannies, aides, and/or family members, Damian Lillard has “never been the sole parent responsible for the care of all three of our children, for any hours-long period.”

It’s highly likely that Dame spent his personal day on January 8 tending to his children. The Milwaukee Bucks supporters should anticipate that Lillard will take a few more of these personal days to address his off-court problems.