Damian Lillard drops 3-word reaction after scoring 36 points in Bucks' 6th straight loss
Damian Lillard remained positive after the Milwaukee Bucks lost 116-114 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, their sixth consecutive defeat. The Bucks dropped to 1-6 on the year despite Lillard's 36-point outing. Milwaukee lost in the clutch for the second straight game against the same opponent.
However, Lillard is trying to find the beauty in this struggle. At least, that's what his latest Instagram story after Monday's loss says in three words.
"A beautiful struggle," he wrote after Monday night's game.
Lillard put that as a caption on a screenshot of an image that said "Keep going."
The Bucks were without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was out with a right adductor strain. However, the Bucks kept it a close affair despite trailing by 19 points at one stage. They kept chipping away behind Damian Lillard's timely and efficient scoring, well supported by Bobby Portis and AJ Green's 21 points each.
The Bucks also made 17 3s, matching Cleveland's tally. But akin to Saturday's 114-113 loss, when Giannis Antetokounmpo played, the Bucks again lost to a later-game winner. It was Donovan Mitchell who made the basket then and Darius Garland who took over on Monday.
Milwaukee suffered because of its defensive lapses, careless turnovers and lack of all-around effort, which has been the theme for the season. The Bucks conceded 12-8 second chance points, 52-38 paint points and 16-6 fastbreak points while committing 14 turnovers.
Damian Lillard holds himself accountable after committing 8 turnovers
Turnovers are among Damian Lillard and the Bucks' main concerts this season. They average 14.6 per game and concede 25.7 points in transition. Lillard and Co. struggled in that aspect again on Monday. He had seven of the team's 14 turnovers, which led to 14 points for the Cavaliers.
Lillard held himself accountable for not doing a better job of keeping the ball and passing it timely despite the Bucks getting reps against half-court traps.
"I look at myself first," Lillard said after the game. "I gotta be able to take care of the ball. I gotta be able to deliver the ball out of that because like I said that's not something new to me."
Lillard blew four possessions on traps, including one in crunch time. The Cavaliers forced him into a backcourt violation with 57 seconds left, with Milwaukee leading by two points. That was the game right there as Darius Garland hit a 3 on the other end to give the Cavaliers a two-point lead.
Damian Lillard missed his final two shot attempts after that, overshadowing his 36-point night.