Damian Lillard set franchise and career records with 71 points and 13 3-pointers in the Portland Trail Blazers’ 131-114 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.
Lillard’s performance tied for the most points in the NBA this season, and his 13 3-pointers were one short of the NBA record set by Golden State’s Klay Thompson in 2018. His 13 3-pointers put him in the company of Thompson and Zach LaVine as the only players to achieve the feat in a single game.
Lillard broke his own franchise record of 61 points, which he had achieved twice. He broke his career record for 3-pointers with his 11th 3-pointer of the game and then extended it to 13. In addition, he set the most points in a half for any player in the league this season with 41 points and 8 3-pointers.
Drug Test After the Game
However, the joy of his record-breaking performance was short-lived as Lillard was summoned for a drug test after the game. It was revealed that the seven-time All-Star, who is unafraid of taking a 3-pointer from half-court, is afraid of needles.
“I know I’ve got a lot of tattoos, but when you’re doing a blood draw, it’s different from tattoos. It brought me down from here to the floor,” Lillard said gesturing with his hand raised then dropping it.
Lillard was drug tested on the night he tied Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell for the most points in a game this season after Mitchell also scored 71 in a win over Chicago on Jan. 2.
Masterful Performance
In the final minutes of the game, the crowd at the Moda Center was on its feet, phones recording the moment, while chanting “MVP! MVP!” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said, “It really, really was a masterful performance. It was a piece of art. That was incredible.”
Lillard left the game with 44 seconds left, tied with Mitchell, Elgin Baylor, and David Robinson for the eighth-most points scored in a game in NBA history.
Looking Ahead
Portland is part of a cluster of eight Western Conference teams that are vying for playoff spots, with just four wins apart. Lillard’s performance is a morale boost for the team, as they strive to secure their place in the playoffs.
Lillard started the game after resting for Thursday night’s 133-116 loss to Sacramento. He participated in the NBA All-Star Game and won the 3-point contest the previous weekend.
Lillard’s record-breaking performance on Sunday night highlights his exceptional skills as an NBA player. Despite being drug tested after the game, Lillard’s performance will be remembered for years to come. As Portland competes for a playoff spot, Lillard’s masterful performance will give them the boost they need to secure their place in the playoffs.
