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Damian Lillard has revolutionized shooting in the NBA, making logo 3s look like an easy drive for an uncontested layup. With such high-level shooting, he has successfully registered record-breaking performances over the years.
Even with such stellar shooting, Damian Lillard has failed to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a deep playoff run in his nine-year stint with the franchise. However, he has ensured postseason action in all but his rookie season since being selected as the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft.
Following the Trail Blazers' first-round exit in the 2021 NBA playoffs, Damian Lillard was at the center of trade rumors. That's because reports suggested that he was unhappy at the franchise, and could request a trade. However, it looks like Dame should be starting the 2021-22 season with the Blazers.
Damian Lillard is loyal to a fault, as it seems like he wants to bring a championship to the franchise that drafted him. With his major concern being the caliber of players in the team and the Blazers failing to add elite talent yet again, it will be surprising if he stays put.
Nevertheless, the Trail Blazers' playoff failure is not for lack of trying on Damian Lillard's part. He has put together jaw-dropping performances in both the regular season and the playoffs, but basketball is a 5-man game.
On that note, here's a look at the top five individual performances of Damian Lillard's career thus far.
#5 Portland Trail Blazers vs Denver Nuggets - June 2021
The Trail Blazers were eliminated from the 2021 NBA playoffs in the first round, where they fell to the Denver Nuggets. They got sent packing in Game 6, but not before Damian Lillard put on a show for the record books.
With the series tied at 2-2, Damian Lillard entered Game 5 determined to give his team the lead in the series. He forced overtime and double overtime with two clutch 3-pointers, but his team eventually lost the game. Outside of Enes Kanter with two points, Lillard did all the scoring for the Blazers in overtime.
Damian Lillard ended the game with a record 12 three-pointers en route to the first 55-point, 10-assist game in NBA playoff history.
#4 Portland Trail Blazers vs Utah Jazz - April 2017
Before the Donovan Mitchell era, the Utah Jazz had Dante Exum and Raul Neto as point guards. Both of whom did not provide a lot of scoring for the Jazz, and were no match for Damian Lillard.
With three games left until the end of the season, the Trail Blazers needed every win to secure a playoff berth. Damian Lillard answered the call, posting 59 points to rally his team to a comfortable 101-86 victory.
Maurice Harkless was the only other Trail Blazers player who had double-digit points in that game (12) as Logo Lillard put on an all-around dominating display.
#3 Portland Trail Blazers vs Brooklyn Nets - November 2019
Early in the 2019-20 NBA season, Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers hosted the Brooklyn Nets at the Moda Center. It was a showdown between the guards, as Lillard faced off against Kyrie Irving.
It might have been the most spectacular performance by a player for a losing team in NBA history. Damian Lillard registered 60 points, five assists and four rebounds in the Trail Blazers' 115-119 loss to the Nets. It took the combined effort of Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie to secure the Nets' victory, with the duo tallying 67 points.
Although the Blazers lost the game, that marked the first of many 60-point games for Damian Lillard in the NBA.
#2 Portland Trail Blazers vs Dallas Mavericks - August 2020
The NBA resumed on July 30 following the break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although not all teams made it to the Orlando bubble, Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers did, and they were in the running to feature in the playoffs.
Damian Lillard did not show any rust on his return. He put 61 points past the Dallas Mavericks on August 11, 2020. He was two assists shy of registering a 60-point double-double. His clutch three gave the Blazers a much-needed separation, propelling them to a 134-131 victory.
With that performance, Lillard joined the legendary Wilt Chamberlain as the second player ever to register three or more 60-point games in a season. It was more satisfying for Damian Lillard, as the win meant his team were one step closer to securing their spot in the play-in round.
#1 Portland Trail Blazers vs Golden State Warriors - January 2020
A 10-35 Golden State Warriors team was on the receiving end of one of Damian Lillard's 60-point masterclasses in the 2019-20 NBA season. With Stephen Curry out, no one could trade 3s with Lillard, who went 11 of 20 from beyond the arc.
Damian Lillard rallied the Trail Blazers to a 129-124 overtime victory, registering 61 points, ten rebounds and seven assists. With that performance, he became the third player in NBA history to score 60+ points against the Warriors.
Even without Draymond Green and Stephen Curry, the Warriors put up a decent fight against the locked-in Lillard. Alec Burks had 33 points, D'Angelo Russell 27, and Eric Paschall registered 22.
Guess the Lakers players!
