Watch: Damian Lillard scores career-high 51 in rout of Warriors
Stephen Curry doesn’t lose too many shootouts, but he got smoked by Damian Lillard during the Blazers’ 137–105 victory over the Warriors at the Moda Center on Friday.
Lillard, playing in his first game since being left off the 2016 All–Star team, scored a career-high 51 points (on 18-of-28 shooting) and hit nine three-pointers in 31 minutes. He annihilated his previous career high of 43 points, set against the Spurs on Dec. 19, 2014.
Portland’s fourth-year guard became just the sixth player to score 50 or more points in a game this season, joining Curry (53 and 51), Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (56), Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (53), Hornets guard Kemba Walker (52) and Rockets guard James Harden (50).
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“I haven’t scored 50 since ninth grade,” Lillard said after the game, according to The Oregonian.
Lillard became just the sixth player in Blazers history to top the 50-point mark, joining Geoff Petrie, Clyde Drexler, Damon Stoudamire, Brandon Roy and Andre Miller. Friday also marked the fifth 40-plus point game of Lillard’s career, which ranks third in franchise history, topping Roy (four) and LaMarcus Aldridge (three).
[youtube:https://youtu.be/3f6oAfVikPs]
Lillard’s full stat line—51 points, seven assists, zero rebounds and six steals—hasn’t been matched in an NBA game since 1983. The last player to score 50-plus points, dish five-plus assists and register five-plus steals was Allen Iverson in 2005.
The Blazers shocked the defending champions with 42 first-quarter points and then scored 36 points in the third quarter to set up an extended session of garbage time. With a game against the Clippers in L.A. on Saturday, Warriors coach Steve Kerr elected to rest many of his key players down the stretch.
Photos: The NBA’s active 50-point scorers
The NBA’s Active 50-Point Scorers
Jimmy Butler
52 vs Charlotte (Jan. 2, 2017), 53 vs Philadelphia (Jan. 14, 2016)
James Harden
53 vs. New York (Dec. 31, 2016), 51 vs Sacramento (April 1, 2015), 50 vs Denver (March, 19, 2015)
Isaiah Thomas
52 vs. Miami (Dec. 30, 2016)
John Wall
52 vs. Orlando (Dec. 6, 2016)
Russell Westbrook
51 vs Phoenix (Oct. 28, 2016), 54 vs Indiana (April 12, 2015)
Anthony Davis
50 vs New Orleans (Oct. 26, 2016), 59 vs Detroit (Feb. 21, 2016)
Damian Lillard
50 vs Toronto (March 4, 2016), 51 vs Golden State (Feb. 19, 2016)
Stephen Curry
51 vs Orlando (Feb. 25, 2016), 51 vs Washington (Feb. 6, 2016), 53 vs New Orleans (Oct. 31, 2015), 51 vs Dallas (Feb. 4, 2015), 54 vs New York (Feb. 27, 2013)
DeMarcus Cousins
55 vs Portland (Dec. 20, 2016), 56 vs Charlotte (Jan. 25, 2016)
Kemba Walker
52 vs Utah (Jan. 18, 2016)
Kyrie Irving
57 vs San Antonio (March 12, 2015), 55 vs Portland (Jan. 28, 2015)
Klay Thompson
60 vs Indiana (Dec. 5, 2016), 52 vs Sacramento (Jan. 23, 2015)
Corey Brewer
51 vs Houston (April 11, 2014)
Kevin Durant
51 vs Toronto (March 21, 2014), 54 vs Golden State (Jan. 17, 2014), 52 vs Dallas (Jan. 18, 2013), 51 vs Denver (Feb. 19, 2012)
LeBron James
61 vs. Charlotte (March 3, 2014), 51 vs Orlando (Feb. 3, 2011), 51 vs Sacramento (March 13, 2009), 55 vs Milwaukee (Feb. 20, 2009), 52 vs New York (Feb. 4, 2009), 50 vs New York (March 5, 2008), 51 vs Memphis (Jan. 15, 2008), 51 vs Utah (Jan. 21, 2006), 52 vs Milwaukee (Dec. 10, 2005), 56 vs Toronto (March 20, 2005)
Terrence Ross
51 vs L.A. Clippers (Jan. 25, 2014)
Carmelo Anthony
62 vs Charlotte (Jan. 24, 2014), 50 vs. Miami (April 2, 2013), 50 vs Houston (Feb. 7, 2011), 50 vs New York (Nov. 27, 2009)
Kevin Love
51 vs Oklahoma City (March 23, 2012)
Deron Williams
57 vs Charlotte (March 4, 2012)
Brandon Jennings
55 vs Golden State (Nov. 14, 2009)
Dwyane Wade
55 vs New York (April 12, 2009), 50 vs Utah (March 14, 2009), 50 vs Orlando (Feb. 22, 2009)
Jamal Crawford
50 vs Charlotte (Dec. 20, 2008), 52 vs Miami (Jan. 26, 2007), 50 vs Toronto (April 11, 2004)
Tony Parker
55 vs Minnesota (Nov. 5, 2008)
Dirk Nowitzki
50 vs Phoenix (June 1, 2006), 51 vs Golden State (March 23, 2006), 53 vs Houston (Dec. 2, 2004)
Paul Pierce
50 vs Cleveland (Feb. 15, 2006)
Vince Carter
51 vs Miami (Dec. 23, 2005), 51 vs Phoenix (Feb. 27, 2000)
Curry finished with a team-high 31 points (on 12-of-23 shooting) and hit seven three-pointers.
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Golden State’s 32-point defeat is its worst during Kerr’s tenure. The last time the Warriors suffered a worse loss was a 39-point defeat against the Nuggets April 9, 2012.