Lillard Named Finalist for NBA Cares Community Assist Award

Damian Lillard makes as much of an impact off-the-court as he does on and it's getting noticed.

He's a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics. He runs a program, RESPECT, that educates people about bullying. He supports nonprofit organizations through his player ticket program.

Lillard stages holiday event, community events.

For the second straight year, the Trail Blazers start has been named one of the ten finalists for the NBA Cares Community Assist Award.

"I’m honored to be nominated for the season-long NBA Cares Community Assist Award," said Lillard. "I’m blessed to be in the position to help and inspire others. There isn’t a better feeling than making a positive impact in someone’s life and in the community."

Fan voting for the NBA Cares Community Assist Award can be done through three social media platforms; Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. For Twitter, tweet a comment using #NBACommunityAssist and #PlayerFirstNameLastName in the photo description. For Instagram, post a photo using #NBACommunityAssist and #PlayerFirstNameLastName in the photo description. For Facebook, respond/comment on a post from an NBA account (League, NBA Cares, Team, nominee’s official page) using the same hashtags.

Voting for the award begins today, May 9th and closes Wednesday, May 18th. The winner will be selected as early as Wednesday, May 25th and will receive a $25,000 donation to the charity of their choice.

Monday night, though, Lillard will likely have one thing on his mind - evening the series with the defending champion Golden State Warriors.

Lillard is coming of a 40-point, record setting effort in Game Three.

And in February, he scored 51 as Portland handed Golden State one of their very few losses all season.