Damian Lillard was interviewed by Inside the NBA staff, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley immediately following the Bucks 110-102 home victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night. The win advances Milwaukee to the NBA Cup Finals.

Lillard expressed optimism about the Bucks’ opportunity to succeed this season despite his team’s lackluster start to the NBA season. The former Trail Blazers player said, “[The Bucks] are starting to build into the team we envisioned during training camp, and we just got to keep building on that.” Lillard chipped in 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists in tonight’s victory.

Milwaukee began the season with a disappointing 2-8 record after the first 10 games of play despite high hopes that this would be the year Giannis Antetokounmpo and company would make a concerted push for their second NBA championship. Since then the Bucks have surged forward, having won 12 of their last 15 games including 7 in a row during a late November/early December stretch.

Lillard has averaged 25.7 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds this season for Milwaukee.

During his 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard earned the top spot in multiple statistical categories for the team including three-point field goals made (2,387), free throws made (4,427), and points scored (19,376).

Lillard and the Bucks now have a chance to win the second annual in-season tournament when they square off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final game on December 17.