Damian Lillard

NBA scoring numbers are suffering from inflation in recent years, and Portland is still mediocre at best.

The closest Lillard’s ever come to an MVP was in 2018, when he finished fourth in the vote. Bing was one of the early heliocentric scoring point guards in league history, the 2nd overall pick in 1962, even won a scoring title, was named to the All-Star Team seven times, and was voted easily onto the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team, but spent his prime years on a floundering Pistons franchise that never advanced past the Conference Semifinals. There have been 21 50-point games this season and the league appears on track to shatter the record of 23, which was set four years ago and which was nearly broken during the lockout shortened-campaign. The hollowness of it all is partially due to the circumstances surrounding Lillard’s performances. The once-rare phenomenon of huge individual scoring has become so commonplace this season that they’ve begun to lose their luster. Unfortunately, Dame Time is running out, and underneath the eye-popping stat line, last night was a reminder that he’s going to begin decaying soon on a franchise that may not be developing into a championship team in this timeline.

Portland Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard received a drug test shortly after his historic 71-point game.

“They know that I'm scared of needles," Lillard said. “I was like, ‘Are y’all serious?’” Lillard said. “I did the urine test yesterday, and then they backed it up with the blood drawn tonight after the game – that’s actually the first time in my career being tested after a game.” When speaking to reporters afterward, the seven-time All-Star addressed the drug test and said it was the first time he had been tested immediately after a game. But, following the celebration, Lillard was summoned to complete a drug test. [Blazers' Damian Lillard drug tested after 71-point game](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/blazers-damian-lillard-drug-tested-after-71-point-game?cid=Yahoo&partner=ya4nbcs&chrcontext=WVIT) originally appeared on [NBC Sports Bayarea](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea?cid=MSN&chrcontext=WVIT)

Portland Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard received a drug test shortly after his historic 71-point game.

“They know that I'm scared of needles," Lillard said. “I was like, ‘Are y’all serious?’” Lillard said. “I did the urine test yesterday, and then they backed it up with the blood drawn tonight after the game – that’s actually the first time in my career being tested after a game.” When speaking to reporters afterward, the seven-time All-Star addressed the drug test and said it was the first time he had been tested immediately after a game. But, following the celebration, Lillard was summoned to complete a drug test. [Blazers' Damian Lillard drug tested after 71-point game](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/warriors/blazers-damian-lillard-drug-tested-after-71-point-game?cid=Yahoo&partner=ya4nbcs&chrcontext=WMAQ) originally appeared on [NBC Sports Bayarea](https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea?cid=MSN&chrcontext=WMAQ)

He now has five 60-point games in his career, which trails only Kobe Bryant's six and Wilt Chamberlain's 61. Sunday's performance was the eighth-highest scoring ...

It was Dame time from the moment the ball was tipped between the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets on Sunday. Damian Lillard had a mind-bending 41…

The opportunity to see performances like this one keeps the Moda Center packed every night, as Lillard has been one of the lone bright spots during a difficult Blazers season. Albeit against the lowly Rockets, Lillard's performance is impressive regardless of opponent and has the potential to be historic depending on where he finishes. Damian Lillard had a mind-bending 41 points in the first half—in just 19 minutes—against Houston at the Moda Center, sending the crowd into a frenzy with each of his eight three-pointers as Portland cruised to a 73-58 halftime lead.

Damian Lillard set franchise and career highs with 71 points and 13 3-pointers in a 131-114 win over the Rockets.

[Golden State](/nba/team/_/name/gs/golden-state-warriors)'s [Klay Thompson](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/6475/klay-thompson) in 2018. He participated in the NBA All-Star Game and won the 3-point contest the previous weekend. [Cleveland](/nba/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-cavaliers)'s [Donovan Mitchell](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/3908809/donovan-mitchell) for the most points in a game this season after Mitchell also scored 71 in a win over Chicago on Jan. [Wilt Chamberlain](https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/4142/wilt-chamberlain) owns the league record with 100 for Philadelphia against New York on March 2, 1962, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It was a career high in a half for Lillard and the most points in a half for any player in the league this season. Portland is part of a cluster of eight Western Conference teams just four wins apart that are vying for playoff spots. "I think any hooper enjoys those moments when you're hot, you're in attack mode, you're feeling good," Lillard said. "I know I've got a lot of tattoos, but when you're doing a blood draw, it's different from tattoos. He had 50 by the start of the fourth quarter. Overall, Lillard was 22-of-38 from the floor and made all 14 of his free throw attempts. Lillard became the eighth different player to score 70 points in NBA history. That was incredible."

Damian Lillard set franchise and career highs with 71 points — tied for the most in the NBA this season — in the Portland Trail Blazers' 131-114 victory.

It was a career high in a half for Lillard and the most points in a half for any player in the league this season. He was also 14 of 14 from the foul line. “But we need everyone to give effort on the defensive end.” He had 50 by the start of the fourth quarter. “I think any hooper enjoys those moments when you’re hot, you’re in attack mode, you’re feeling good,” Lillard said. Lillard’s 13 three-pointers were one shy of the NBA record set by Golden State’s Klay Thompson in 2018.

Lillard's 71 points ties Donovan Mitchell for the highest scoring output by any player in the NBA this season.

The Blazers improve to 28-31 with the win and are tied for 11th in the Western Conference with the By the fourth quarter, when he eclipsed the franchise mark of 61, the crowd was on its feet for every offensive possession. The urgency has to pick up. Lillard’s record-setting performance came one day after he told teammates the push for the playoffs started Sunday, imploring that “it has to happen now. But I feel like I got to do my best to be aggressive and just try to do what I can to make sure we get wins. [NBA](https://theathletic.com/nba/)history behind [Klay Thompson](https://theathletic.com/nba/player/klay-thompson-JyZHl24VVa8twrMw/)’s 14 in 2018.

Damian Lillard scored a career-high 71 points against the Rockets, including 41 in an epic first half, as Portland cruised to victory.

After Silas took him out, it went from a 20-pt to 8-pt deficit in next 7 minutes. So like: Dame hammered them in ball-screens. “I just need to be focused on pick-and-roll defense, I think. Jabari Smith Jr yelled after Sengun didn't come over to help on Portland's first basket of the game Silas also said he benched Alperen Sengun at the end of the game because of Sengun’s defense. Lillard looked like he was going for it from the first minute. Mitchell, D. Robinson, D. Baylor, D. Next up for Houston, starting Tuesday, is a tough back-to-back at home versus Denver and Memphis — currently the top-two seeds in the Western Conference. In his historic game, Lillard connected on 22-of-38 shots (57.9%), 13-of-22 from 3-point range (59.1%), and went 14-of-14 on free throws. Houston (13-47) continues to hold the NBA’s worst record and has now lost nine straight games.

The Blazers' star feasted against the NBA's worst team in Portland on Sunday night.

The Rockets appeared adverse to sending a trap Lillard's way for much of the first half, and he punctuated the dominant opening 24 minutes with a 36-foot triple. [ended the Houston Rockets season](https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Lillard-s-game-winning-shot-still-reverberates-5971468.php) as they worked to become contenders in the Western Conference. Lillard erupted for 41 points in the first half—the second-most of any player in the last 25 seasons—torching the Rockets from all areas of the floor.

Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, 32, poured in 71 points Sunday against the Rockets, tied for eighth-most points in a single game in NBA history.

The only difference in protocol is that blood draws must take place after a game is played, if a player is selected for random testing on a day he is scheduled to play He made all 14 of his free-throw attempts. "It brought me down from here to the floor." Lillard made 22 of his 38 shot attempts Sunday night, including 13 of 22 from beyond the arc. "I mean, honestly, I was like, 'Are y'all serious?' " Lillard said Sunday during his post-game news conference. Lillard's previous career high was 61 points, which he had set twice.

Damian Lillard's hands are hotter than the surface of a griller Sunday against the Houston Rockets at home. In just the first half...

It is also the worst in the league in terms of surrendering the most 3-pointers per game at 14.6. In just the first half of that game, the Portland Trail [Blazers superstar point guard](https://clutchpoints.com/blazers-4-bold-predictions-2023-nba-all-star-break) had already generated an unbelievable total of 41 points on the strength of a 13-for-19 shooting from the field, including a ridiculous 8-for-11 performance from behind the arc. Houston is going nowhere this season and it started the day ranked just 25th in the NBA in scoring defense, allowing 118.1 points per game.

The Houston Rockets ended their five-game road trip in a 131-114 loss to the Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard scores a career-high 71 points.

Damian Lillard shattered his career high scoring mark, the Portland Trail Blazers single-game scoring record, and exceeded every NBA offensive performance ...

David Robinson also scored 71 for the [San Antonio Spurs](https://www.poundingtherock.com) against the [Los Angeles Clippers](https://www.clipsnation.com) in 1994. Finally, [Utah Jazz](https://www.slcdunk.com) guard Donovan Mitchell put up 71 against the [Chicago Bulls](https://www.blogabull.com) while playing for the [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://www.fearthesword.com) this season. [Toronto Raptors](https://www.raptorshq.com). Only Mitchell (34) exceeded 70 with fewer shot attempts than Lillard’s 38. [Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.silverscreenandroll.com) against the New York Knicks in 1960. [Portland Trail Blazers](https://www.blazersedge.com) single-game scoring record, and exceeded every NBA offensive performance ever, save seven, by scoring 71 against the [Houston Rockets](https://www.thedreamshake.com) on Sunday night.

The Blazers star set two franchise records on a historic night in Portland.

[February 27, 2023] He had 50 by the start of the fourth quarter. It was a career-high in a half for Lillard and the most points in a half for any player in the league this season. MVP!” Lillard broke his own franchise mark of 61 points, which he’d done twice, on a 3-pointer with 4:42 left that also topped his career record for 3s in a game with 11. Lillard 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.

Damian Lillard hit 13 3-pointers en route to a career-high and Trail Blazers record 71 points in a win over the Rockets on Sunday.

HeatBest and worst NBA Over/ Under and against the spread teams [Cleveland](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers-team)’s [Donovan Mitchell](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/donovan-mitchell-player) for the most points in a game this season after Mitchell also scored 71 in a win over [Chicago](https://www.foxsports.com/nba/chicago-bulls-team) on Jan. [Hawks reportedly offer Quin Snyder head coaching job](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/quin-snyder-hawks-reportedly-progressing-in-talks-to-make-him-teams-next-coach) [Nets' Mikal Bridges names his favorite player growing up — Kevin Durant](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/nets-mikal-bridges-names-his-favorite-player-growing-up-kevin-durant) [Westbrook, Embiid, AD among NBA stars 'under duress'](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/westbrook-embiid-ad-among-nba-stars-under-duress) [The NBA's sneakiest skill? Lillard became the eighth player to score 70 points in an NBA regular-season game and the first over age 30 to do so. Kings, Clippers stun NBA with 2nd-highest scoring game everBucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo day-to-day after hurting knee vs. He participated in the NBA All-Star Game and won the 3-point contest the previous weekend. This was the second time he's eclipsed 60 points while making 10 3-pointers — a feat only he's accomplished. 1 draft pick or swap Justin Fields for Bryce Young?](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/should-bears-trade-no-1-draft-pick-or-swap-justin-fields-for-bryce-young) [Pro Bowl Confidential: 27 players pick MVP, most underrated, coaches, other questions](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/pro-bowl-confidential-27-players-pick-mvp-most-underrated-coaches-other-questions) [2023 NFL Draft prospect rankings: 64 best available players](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-draft-prospect-rankings-top-64-best-available-players) [College football spring storylines: New coaches, QB battles, more to watch](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/college-football-spring-storylines-new-coaches-qb-battles-more-to-watch) [Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes: Ranking every MLB team's chances to sign him](https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/shohei-ohtani-sweepstakes-ranking-every-mlb-teams-chances-to-sign-him) Lillard’s 13 3-pointers were one shy of the NBA record set by Golden State’s Klay Thompson in 2018. "I think any hooper enjoys those moments when you’re hot, you’re in attack mode, you’re feeling good," Lillard said. Lillard had 50 by the start of the fourth quarter. Lillard had 41 points and eight 3-pointers by halftime.

1. Lillard is the only player in NBA history to score 70 points and make at least 10 3-pointers in a single game. · 6. Lillard now has the six-highest scoring ...

That is the number of players in NBA history that have scored 70 points in a game. Lillard, now 32 years old, is the oldest player ever to score 70 points in an NBA game. By true shooting percentage, Lillard just had the most efficient game with at least 71 total points in NBA history. He was already the only player in NBA history to score 60 points and make at least 10 3's. Lillard attempted a record-tying 3-pointer with 1:14 remaining in the fourth quarter, but missed. Lillard began the stretch by scoring 50 points in a loss to the [Cleveland Cavaliers](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/CLE/cleveland-cavaliers/), and he reached 60 in a win over the [Utah Jazz](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/UTA/utah-jazz/) late in January. The non-Lillard Blazers single-game scoring record is 54, set by Damon Stoudamire in 2005. Lillard used his rest night as a launching pad for one of the greatest individual performances in [NBA](/nba/) history. He exited the game with 44.1 seconds remaining to a standing ovation from his fans in Portland. [Damian Lillard](/nba/players/1992810/damian-lillard/) became the eighth player in NBA history to top 70 points in a single game on Sunday when he dropped 71 in a 131-114 victory over the [Houston Rockets](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/teams/HOU/houston-rockets/). A snowstorm in Portland kept the Blazers on the tarmac for seven hours Wednesday before they ultimately went home and traveled to Sacramento on Thursday. They now sit in 11th place in the Western Conference, but only three games behind the No.

Damian Lillard set an NBA record in his monster scoring night on Sunday, racking up 71 points in 39 minutes, including 13 three-pointers, as the Portland ...

The Blazers snapped a two-game losing skid with the win and keep their slim hopes of a playoff spot alive. With that performance, Lillard entered a pantheon of NBA greats. “It was a piece of art. “It really, really was a masterful performance,” Portland coach Chauncey Billups said of his star’s game. Lillard started the scoring early, with 41 points, including eight three-pointers at halftime. I got it going and stayed aggressive.”