Damian Lillard was all smiles after the best individual performance of his career.
Already a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, renowned clutch shot maker and newly minted Starry 3-Point Contest champion, Damian Lillard has no shortage of accolades or respect.
Yet no one could hide their stunned admiration when the Trail Blazers superstar went off for a career and franchise record-breaking 71 points on Sunday in Portland’s 131-114 victory over Houston. Lillard accomplished the feat in just under 40 minutes with an 80.4% true shooting percentage, making for one of the greatest shooting exhibitions in league history.
The NBA world voiced its awe of Lillard’s performance on social media, where homages to “Dame Time” were quick to come.
⌚️
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 27, 2023
Dame so great
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) February 27, 2023
My mom calls me and says @Dame_Lillard tied your record… you gotta get 72 now😂😂😂
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) February 27, 2023
Wow…. @Dame_Lillard
— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) February 27, 2023
71 on 89.4% eFG on 19 FGA 🎯#greatness https://t.co/VaxT2W9wuU
— Jusuf Nurkić (@bosnianbeast27) February 27, 2023
"I've never seen anything like it before."
Coach Billups reflects on Damian Lillard's historic 71-PT performance. pic.twitter.com/adfOlpf2XK
— NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2023
DOLLA 🤯🤯
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) February 27, 2023
— Rudy Gay (@RudyGay) February 27, 2023
71 OF THEM THANGSSSS!!! 😭😭🤦🏾♂️
— Trendon Watford (@trendonw) February 27, 2023
Holy cow @Dame_Lillard
— Detlef Schrempf (@Dschrempf) February 27, 2023
71 @Dame_Lillard ! Whole lot of 🪣’s
— Delon Wright (@delonwright) February 27, 2023
Dame 🔥
— Ian Clark (@IanClark) February 27, 2023
Damian Lillard is the 8th player in NBA history to score 70+ PTS in a single game, joining:
Wilt Chamberlain (6 times)
Elgin Baylor
Devin Booker
Kobe Bryant
Donovan Mitchell
David Robinson
David Thompson pic.twitter.com/PpxrAFXfwZ— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 27, 2023
LEGENDARY. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/BaYNtlqSMK
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 27, 2023
Damian Lillard (& team 😂) post 71 pts interview @brookeolzendam pic.twitter.com/1ADvsyShVY
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 27, 2023
