SI

NBA World Reacts After Blazers’ Damian Lillard Scores 71 Points

LeBron James and Donovan Mitchell were among those in awe of the Blazers star’s performance.

Karl Rasmussen

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Damian Lillard was on a whole different level for the Trail Blazers on Sunday night, torching the Rockets for 71 points, tying Donovan Mitchell for the highest single-game tally of the NBA season. 

It was an electric performance from Lillard, who was a perfect 14 of 14 from the free throw line and added 13 three-pointers en route to his 71 points. 

In addition to his scoring onslaught, the 32-year-old added six rebounds and six assists, while knocking down 22 of 38 field goal attempts.

Lillard’s 71-point performance matched the eighth-highest scoring total in NBA history. Only Wilt Chamberlain (five times), Kobe Bryant and David Thompson have scored more points in a single NBA game.

Lillard’s dominant outing on Sunday night, during which he single-handedly carried Portland to a 131-114 victory, drew quite the reaction from his peers around the league.

A slew of fellow NBA players, who were thoroughly impressed with his scoring barrage, tipped their cap to the Blazers superstar on social media.

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Karl Rasmussen
KARL RASMUSSEN

Karl Rasmussen is a staff writer for the Breaking and Trending News team for Sports Illustrated. A University of Oregon alum who joined SI in February 2023, his work has appeared on 12up and ClutchPoints. Rasmussen is a loyal Tottenham, Jets, Yankees and Ducks fan.

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