This morning Damian Lillard has put in the eighth best performance in NBA history, in the 131-114 victory of the Portland Trail Blazers against the Houston Rockets. The Blazers point guard, with 71 points and 13 triples in 39 minutes, has equaled the mark achieved by Donovan Mitchell this year in a Cleveland Cavaliers game against the Chicago Bulls. After his monumental performance, Lillard became the seventh player to surpass the 70-point barrier.
The one from Oakland (California, United States), who last week won the All-Star triple contest, has also surpassed himself, since last night was the best mark of his career, and also of the franchise to which it belongs.
It is the fifth time that the player exceeds the 60-point barrier, which allows him to surpass Michael Jordan and stay just one game behind Kobe Bryant. The furthest away is Wilt Chamberlain, who did it 61 times.
The Blazers leader finished with 22 of 38 shooting and 13 of 22 triples, falling just one triple away from Klay Thompson's record (14). He now shares second place in this specialty, in an NBA game, with Stephen Curry and Zach LaVine.
However, despite Lillard leading his team to victory, the Blazers are 11th in the West, and are fighting the Minnesota Timberwolves for a play-in spot. After 60 games played, Portland has 29 wins and 31 losses
"There are 22 or 23 games left for the end of the season and we have to give it our all to get as many victories as possible," Lillard said after the game.
Although far from Damian Lillard's spectacular recital, the Lakers also shone last night. LeBron James' team rallied from 27 points at home against Doncic and Irving's Dallas Mavericks, who a few days ago reaped their first victory as teammates.
