Damian Lillard revealed a surprising truth about his relationship with Steph Curry during a candid conversation on the Eye for the Game podcast with Austin Rivers. When asked about his biggest NBA rivalries, the Bucks star didn’t hesitate to name Curry—but not for the reasons fans might expect.
“With Steph, it was always like—Steph took off, and I was chasing,” Lillard admitted, via HoopsHype. “I wanted what he had. He’s winning championships, everybody’s talking about him.”
The seven-time All-Star clarified that while his battles with Russell Westbrook felt more personal, his matchups against Curry carried a different weight. Lillard faced Curry in multiple playoff series during his time in Portland, watching as the Warriors star built a dynasty.
“I was very competitive with Steph—especially in those years where I was like, ‘No, I can do that too,’” Lillard said.
The admission comes during an uncertain stretch for Lillard, who was ruled out indefinitely on March 25 with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf. Bucks coach Doc Rivers recently expressed optimism about his potential return, but Milwaukee (47-34) has struggled to stay afloat in the East’s crowded playoff race.
Lillard, 34, is averaging 24.9 points and 7.1 assists this season—numbers that mirror Curry’s prime years. Yet the Warriors star’s four rings still loom large in their rivalry.
Now in his second season with the Bucks, Lillard’s chase continues. But this time, it’s not just about Curry—it’s about finally claiming a championship of his own.
