The 2019 NBA Playoffs are heating up!
Every day from now until the end of the postseason, our NBA.com Staff will bring you one top performer following the completion of the playoff games on that day.
You'll be able to see the best performance and three honourable mentions from each day, while also having access to all prior "Player of the Night" files, as we see who can tally the most honours these playoffs.
Today's player of the day is...
Damian Lillard
Team's result: Trail Blazers 118, Thunder 115 (Blazers win series 4-1)
Stat line: 50 points (17-33 FG, 10-18 3PT), 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
Words can't describe the type of performance that Lillard put together in this one.
The All-Star point guard had 34 points in the first half to get his team going. He moved the ball when he needed to in the fourth quarter and when the game was on the line, he called his own number.
Lillard's step-back, 37-foot game-winning 3-pointer in Paul George's face ended the series, earning him Player of the Night.
Damian Lillard (50 PTS) buries the three for the #TissotBuzzerBeater and the @trailblazers advance to the Western Conference Semifinals with the 118-115 Game 5 victory! #ThisIsYourTime #RipCity#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/cVqLJkHLR4
— NBA (@NBA) April 24, 2019
Honourable Mention:
Kawhi Leonard
Team's result: Raptors 115, Magic 96 (Raptors win series 4-1)
Stat line: 27 points (8-11 FG, 5-5 3PT), 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Kawhi was near-perfect in the Raptors' series-clinching win.
His 27 points were extremely efficient, coming on just 11 shots. He dominated this game from the get-go, just as he dominated the Magic the entire series.
Kawhi got it done in Game 5 for the @Raptors to finish the series 4-1 at home! ✋🔥
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 24, 2019
📊: 27 PTS | 5/5 3PM | 7 REB#WeTheNorth | #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/1T0CueJtVg
Joel Embiid
Team's result: 76ers 122, Nets 100 (76ers win series 4-1)
Stat line: 23 points (9-18 FG, 2-5 3PT), 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal
Embiid did all of his damage in just 20 minutes and 22 seconds in the 76ers' Game 5 win to clinch the series.
He was dominant in short stint of playing time, which was exactly what Philly needed. He made an impact, then was able to rest up for the next series.
Joel Embiid (23 PTS & 13 REB) led the way for the @sixers to secure the series in Philly! 👌#PhilaUnite | #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/mCDomgL0EL
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 24, 2019
Paul George
Team's result: Trail Blazers 118, Thunder 115 (Blazers win series 4-1)
Stat line: 36 points (14-20 FG, 3-8 3PT), 9 rebounds, 3 assists
George did what he could to keep his team alive.
He scored 36 points on 70.0% shooting from the field but ultimately came up short.
Previous winners
April 15 - Giannis Antetokounmpo
April 23 - Giannis Antetokounmpo
