Photo: MIiwaukee Bucks/X screenshot

Damian Lillard reflected on his first season with the Milwaukee Bucks, describing it as the most challenging year of his life. He revealed that off-court struggles made his transition to Milwaukee difficult.

“I would probably have to rank it at the top, probably the toughest year of my life,” Lillard told FOX Sports. The eight-time All-Star was traded to the Bucks in September 2023 after spending 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Shortly after the trade, Lillard filed for divorce from his wife, Kay’La, adding personal turmoil to the professional change. The combination of being away from his children and adjusting to a new city took a toll on the star guard.

“It was just a lot to juggle at one time while still having to perform,” Lillard explained. The trade occurred just days before training camp, leaving him little time to adapt to his new team.

Despite the off-court challenges, Lillard made an immediate impact in Milwaukee. In his Bucks debut, he scored 39 points in a season-opening win over the Philadelphia 76ers, setting a franchise record for points in a debut.

As the season progressed, Lillard continued to excel, achieving several career milestones. He became the fifth player in NBA history to make 2,500 career three-pointers and surpassed 20,000 career points.

Lillard also earned his first All-Star selection as an Eastern Conference starter, winning both the NBA Three-Point Contest and the All-Star Game MVP in the same weekend. He averaged 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7 assists per game during the regular season.

However, Lillard’s personal struggles remained a constant backdrop throughout the season. He spoke about the difficulty of balancing professional success with personal hardship. “Going through a divorce, I got three kids, being away from my kids… it was just hard,” he shared.

Lillard remains focused on his goal of helping the Bucks contend for a championship. When asked if he believes he and Giannis Antetokounmpo can become one of the league’s most dominant duos, Lillard responded confidently. “Yeah, I think we can,” he said.

He emphasized that their complementary skills will be key to the team’s success. “What he’s dominant at, what I’m dominant at, goes together,” Lillard said. He expressed optimism that as their chemistry grows, the team will continue to improve.

Despite the challenges, Lillard led the Bucks to a first-round playoff appearance, although the team ultimately fell to the Indiana Pacers in six games.

As Lillard enters his second season with the Bucks, he remains determined to help the team achieve its championship aspirations. He believes that building on the foundation he and Antetokounmpo have established will lead to even greater success.