Instant Replay: Damian Lillard Drops Career-High 71 Against Houston

PORTLAND – Damian Lillard put on a shooting clinic against the Houston Rockets on Saturday, dropping a career-high 71 points while shooting 58% from the field.

Lillard matched Donovan Mitchell’s season-high mark that was set in January.

71 PTS, 13 3PM, 6 REB, 6 AST…

Damian Lillard, everyone 👏 pic.twitter.com/3bHwHXEonI

— NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2023

Lillard shot 13/22 from behind the arc. Thirteen makes ties Zach LaVine and Steph Curry for the second-most made threes in an NBA game.

Most impressively, he did it with no overtime and without playing over 40 minutes.

Damian Lillard becomes the first player in NBA history to score 70+ points in fewer than 40 minutes pic.twitter.com/qRR5xmdIBm

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 27, 2023

Damian Lillard Goes Off For 71 On Houston

It was clearly ‘Dame Time’ from the opening tip.

Lillard scored 13 of Portland’s first 18 points. He shot 5/7 in this seven-minute stretch.

starting off hot ③#RipCity pic.twitter.com/3SBhXvQXbM

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 27, 2023

Tough shots were falling all night for the Weber State alum. Fadeaways, floaters, and shots from the parking lot all found the bottom of the net.

Perhaps the shot of the night came in the closing minute of the first half. Lillard strolled just past the halfcourt line before pulling up and knocking it down.

1 of 1 ⌚️#RipCity pic.twitter.com/IvH3tZSEd8

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 27, 2023

Going into halftime, Lillard had a staggering 41 points.

41 FIRST HALF POINTS FOR DAME #RipCity pic.twitter.com/rPvYOAoAX7

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 27, 2023

The Trailblazers had a double-digit lead for much of the second half so Lillard was free to sit and rest. But, he made the most of his time on the court.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Lillard threw down a posterizing slam over rookie Jabari Smith.

BRUH.#RipCity pic.twitter.com/Ugxya9qyWw

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 27, 2023

Lillard’s all-time performance was the most efficient 70-point game in NBA history using the True Shooting Percentage advanced metric. True shooting percentage is a measure of shooting efficiency that takes into account field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws.

Damian Lillard (& team 😂) post 71 pts interview @brookeolzendam pic.twitter.com/1ADvsyShVY

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 27, 2023

The game against the Houston Rockets was Portland’s first since the All-Star break. Their next game is against the Golden State Warriors on February 28 in the Chase Center.

Chandler Holt is a Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com, specializing in all things basketball and football. Follow Chandler on Twitter at @ChandlerHoltKSL.

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