Lillard erupts for 61, sinks Warriors with clutch 3s
Damian Lillard had his second 60-point game of the season as the Blazers outlasted the Warriors 129-124 in overtime Monday….
PORTLAND, Ore. — Damian Lillard set a franchise record with 61 points, including a career-best 11 3-pointers, and the short-handed Portland Trail Blazers outlasted the equally depleted Golden State Warriors 129-124 in overtime Monday.
Lillard’s previous career high was 60 points earlier this season against the Brooklyn Nets, a performance that also served as the franchise’s record until Monday night.
“I guess if somebody’s going to beat my record, it’s good to be me,” Lillard said.
He now has the two highest scoring marks in NBA history by a player 6-foot-2 or shorter, according to Elias Sports Bureau research.
Lillard became the first player in NBA history with 60-plus points and 10-plus 3-pointers in a game, and just the sixth player with multiple 60-point games.
It was the seventh regular-season game of Lillard’s career with more than 50 points. He also had 10 rebounds for his 10th double-double of the season.
“You run out of adjectives,” Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. “He’s an amazing player.”
Hassan Whiteside added 17 points and 21 rebounds for the Blazers, who snapped a two-game skid.
“I’m excited about it, I’m happy about it, but I wish it counted for three wins instead of one,” Lillard said.
The Blazers (19-26) trailed by 12 in the third quarter but clawed back in the fourth. Lillard’s layup and free throw gave Portland a 110-109 lead with 2:26 left, but rookie Eric Paschall dunked to give the lead back to Golden State with less than a minute to go.
Alec Burks added a pair of free throws for the Warriors to extend the lead, but Lillard made a 3 to knot the score with 14.9 seconds left, and the game went to overtime.
Willie Cauley-Stein‘s dunk put the Warriors up 121-115 in the extra period. Anfernee Simons hit a 3 to pull Portland closer before Lillard’s 3-pointer with less than a minute left tied it. Gary Trent Jr.‘s layup gave Portland the lead with 34.6 seconds to go.
Burks’ 3-pointer briefly gave the lead back to the Warriors, but Lillard and Whiteside each added a pair of free throws to seal it.
The crowd stood and cheered as Lillard made the free throw that gave him the record.
“The guy bumped me and I was like, ‘I’m going down.’ They’re going to have to blow this whistle and I’m getting these two free throws. And that was it,” Lillard said of being aware he was sitting on 59 points.
Both teams were drastically limited, personnel-wise. The Warriors (10-35), hit hard by injuries this season, essentially had eight available players. Draymond Green suited up, but coach Steve Kerr said before the contest that it was unlikely that Green would play because he wasn’t feeling well. Green did not see game action.
Glenn Robinson III remained out due to an ankle injury. Kerr said he hoped to have Kevon Looney (abdominal soreness) back later this week. The Warriors started D’Angelo Russell, Damion Lee, Burks, Cauley-Stein and Paschall for the second straight game.
The Blazers, who had just nine players available, were without CJ McCollum for the second straight game due to a sprained left ankle. Simons started in his place.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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