Just another day in the office for Damian Lillard.
Last night, the Portland Blazers got a win over the Utah Jazz, beating them 134-124. The highlight of the evening though? Nearly half of the Blazers’ points came from Lillard, who dropped 60 points. It was truly Dame Time! This isn’t the first time he’s reached this feat though.
“I think anytime you score 60 points, it’s special. But I think this one, I just felt like it came pretty simple. I thought I played the game as it should have been played. I knew it was a game that we needed to win. So I came out with the mentality that we needed to win. I came out with the mentality to attack and be aggressive. But it wasn’t like I just came out on fire. It wasn’t one of those games.”
Dame’s previous games where we saw him hit 60+ points were a product of 45.9%, 53.1%, and 57.6% shooting from the field. He also averaged 16.3 on made free throws. Last night, his efficiency was on point, hitting 21 of 29 shots for 72.4% and sinking 9 of 10 free throws.
“That was incredible. You don’t get to see that very often. A guy scores 60 points and only shoots 10 free throws and makes nine of them. It was just incredible how efficient he was,” praised Blazers coach, Chauncy Billups.
What’s even more impressive? Dame is not in the same sentence as Michael Jordan and James Harden, tying the two for the third most 60-point performances in NBA history. Even the late, and great, Kobe Bryant’s record is within reach.
“I ain’t catching Wilt. That’s out,” said Lillard, humbly.
Watch highlights from Dame’s outstanding performance below.
