The Portland Trail Blazers were able to get a 131-114 win over the Houston Rockets on Sunday. However, the final score played second fiddle to the incredible play of Blazers star Damian Lillard, who had an absolutely mind-blowing game individually.
Lillard is obviously one of the most dangerous scorers in the NBA. He came into Sunday’s game trailing only Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid in points per game on the year.
He caught fire quickly on Sunday, dominating in the first half. And he finished the half with an exclamation point, hitting a ridiculous three-pointer at the edge of the mid-court logo.
Just silly stuff from Dame. 🏀🔥🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/egb9HXn5rL
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 27, 2023
Lillard ultimately finished the first half with 41 points, which is the most points in the first half from any player this season.
Damian Lillard has 41 points.
Through ONE half. 🏀🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/b0LwguODHF
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 27, 2023
While Lillard had a bit of a slow third quarter, he picked it up in a huge way in the fourth quarter. He finished the fourth with 21 points including a ridiculous poster dunk over Rockets rookie Jabari Smith.
DAME POSTER 😱 pic.twitter.com/RC2Q537cr5
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 27, 2023
He ultimately broke his previous career-high of 65 points, finishing the game on Sunday with 71 points, tying Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell for the most points in a game this year.
Damian Lillard finished with 71 POINTS! 🏀🔥😲 pic.twitter.com/LO9TlQpJAh
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 27, 2023
Many NBA players took notice of this unreal performance from Lillard and praised him on social media.
⌚️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 27, 2023
Wow…. @Dame_Lillard
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) February 27, 2023
My mom calls me and says @Dame_Lillard tied your record… you gotta get 72 now😂😂😂
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) February 27, 2023
71 @Dame_Lillard ! Whole lot of 🪣’s
— Delon Wright (@delonwright) February 27, 2023
Meanwhile, the rest of the NBA world also marveled at Lillard’s insane play.
D🔥me pic.twitter.com/jH4TDji9NW
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 27, 2023
goodness gracious dame pic.twitter.com/fK2plGjxSe
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) February 27, 2023
71 points
13 threes
6 assists
6 boards
2 TOs
39 minutes
57.9 FG%
59 3PT%
100 FT% @Dame_Lillard is the first player in NBA history with 70+ points, 10+ threes, 5+ assists, 5+ rebounds in a game. He was one 3 shy of tying the record for most 3s in a game. pic.twitter.com/49UPnvpit8— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 27, 2023
This wild game highlights an unreal stretch of play for the seven-time All-Star. In the month of February, Lillard is averaging 40.3 points per game along with six rebounds and seven assists, and he’s also shooting 50/42/96 from the field.
Dame in February:
40.3 PPG
6.0 RPG
7.0 APG
50/42/96%On a mission. pic.twitter.com/lprKIvvk9B
— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 27, 2023
There has been talk over the years of Lillard potentially being traded by the Blazers in a potential rebuild for the organization.
However, this game from Lillard helps prove that he’s very much a player that can be a huge difference-maker with the correct players around him.
