The Undefeated: Damian Lillard played for pops

4:50 PM ET

OAKLAND, Calif. — Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard gave his grandfather Albert Johnson a priceless gift on Saturday night. Johnson not only celebrated a milestone 80th birthday, he celebrated with his busy grandson, who surprised him at the party the night before their second-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors.

“He wanted to be a part of the event because every time we have an event he is not around. But this one, he really wanted to be there,” Johnson told The Undefeated at halftime of the Blazers’ 118-106 loss to the Warriors in Game 1 on Sunday. “I highly appreciated him being there.”

“I was just happy to be there for him,” Lillard said.

It’s not easy for any athlete to make it home for birthdays and holidays throughout the year. It’s especially tough for one in the midst of post-season. But Lillard didn’t let that stop him.

Blazers’ Damian Lillard’s grandfather, Albert Johnson, at Sunday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors. Courtesy Gina Johnson

Johnson, who was born on April 25, 1936, was originally scheduled to celebrate his birthday in Oakland on April 22 – in the middle of the NBA playoffs. Lillard begged his family to push the date back in hopes of attending. The family obliged, moving it to April 30 instead at a hotel ballroom just a short drive down from where the Warriors’ play at Oracle Arena.

The Oakland native realized that playing the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round could help logistically, since Game 7s in the first round were expected to be played May 1, a day after the party.

“During the Minnesota game, which was our second to last game of the (regular) season, I was like, ‘Man, we need to make sure we get the five-seed so we can make sure we are playing the Clippers. If there was a day off in-between I could fly home and …

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