PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard described Thursday as 24 hours filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
In the morning, the Blazers star became a father. His girlfriend Kay'la Hanson gave birth to their son, Dame Jr. Lillard said it was an experience unlike any he's had before.
"It was a different level, different type of excitement," he said while talking with the media before Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers. "It was my son looking into my eyes. It was different. I've never felt that way."
But on Thursday night Lillard's half brother, 20-year-old Jahrell Lillard, was shot in the parking lot of the Clackamas Town Center. The Blazers guard said Jahrell was shot five times. On Friday, authorities said Jahrell's condition had stabilized and he's expected to survive.
“You know, highs and lows. That was probably one of the highest moments of my life. My son coming out and holding him, and just having that experience," Lillard said. "Then having to deal with a tragedy in the middle of it is unfortunate. Like I said, he’s stable and he’s doing fine so I guess you have to look at it like things could be a lot worse.”
Deputies are looking for two suspects who ran from the scene. The suspects are two black men. One wore a red hooded sweatshirt and light-colored pants, and the other wore a dark hooded sweatshirt and black pants, according to authorities.
"If anybody has any information, come forward," Lillard said.
Lillard returned to the court Friday night for the game against the Clippers. He did not play in the Blazers' 108-103 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday, due to the pending birth of his child. Portland is currently the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with less than two weeks remaining in the regular season.