Damian Lillard erupts with 50 points on 20 shot against Pelicans

May 2024 · 5 minute read

Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard insane shooting for a season-high 50 points on 20 shots.

CJ McCollum returned for the Portland Trail Blazers tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans.

This made fans ecstatic and happy to see their star on the court. With Damian Lillard and McCollum on the court, fans were sure to get the win.

The fans’ excitement started to die down as the Blazers struggled on the defensive end against Pelicans Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson all night.

Nonetheless, Trail Blazers tried everything to get the lead against the Pelicans, even for a quarter, but nothing paid off yet.

As the Pelicans were up by 16 points in the first quarter and 8 points in the 2nd quarter.

Portland trailed Pelicans 64-50 at halftime. Lillard’s basket with 7:46 remaining in the third quarter decreased the deficit to seven.

New Orleans led 95-82 as they entered the fourth quarter.

Damian help change the lead in the fourth quarter

At the start of the fourth quarter, it looked like the game was on the Pelicans’ hand as Trail Blazers couldn’t decode the Pelicans’ game.

The situation was getting worse for the Trail Blazers, and it seemed like the win slipped from the Blazers.

However, the Blazers made a 16-0 run to decrease the deficit to a single digit. They were 117-116 with Pelicans after the run, and Lillard was at the center of that run.

Lillard made two threes, a layup, and an assist to Trent Jr. for another three. Additionally, he also made two free throws with 1.2 seconds left for the game to end.

Damian led the trail-blazers to a dramatic 125-125 home win over the New Orleans Pelicans with the free throws.

In the game, Damian made 50 points with 10 assists and got a double-double.

He goes off against Pelicans to make a record-breaking comeback.

Record made for Damian Lillard.

He made the season-high 50 points with just 20 field goal attempts, and with this, he records the second-most points on 20 FGA or fewer since 1983.

The 50-point game was 12th for Damian, which tied him with Lebron James for seventh on the all-time list.

Congrats to @Dame_Lillard of the @trailblazers for moving into tied for 7th in all-time 50-point games! pic.twitter.com/DbYjwRb3f6

— NBA (@NBA) March 17, 2021

He made 6 threes and 18-18 free throws to get the 50 points for the game in the same game. He made his 10th double-double this season with tonight’s 50 points and 10 assists. This is his 10th game with 10+ assists this season. 

Lillard became just the fourth player in NBA history to record 16000+ points, and 4,000+ assist in his first nine seasons.

He is now averaging 30.5 points and 8.0 assists per game for the Blazers’ team.

Reaction to the 50 point game of Damian Lillard

TNT analyst Reggie Miller mentioned Lillard being the “scariest man in the building” midway through the fourth, and the floodgates officially opened.

Davide Chinellato, the editor for Italian top sports media, tweeted,” Unreal.

Damian Lillard is just unreal. 50pts vs. Pelicans to his Blazers a 125-124 comeback W. Including 20 points in the 4th.

Dame’s ability to constantly deliver in clutch time is jaw-dropping. It’s what makes him an MVP candidate.

Besides Davide, Damian’s teammate who is out due to injury, Jusuf Nurkic also considers Damian as the MVP candidate.

Babo is THE MVP!!! @Dame_Lillard

— Jusuf Nurkić 🇧🇦 (@bosnianbeast27) March 17, 2021

Likewise, Golden State Warriors star versatile defender Draymond Green was also all praises on Twitter for Damians’ game.

Draymond tweeted,” 50 on 20 shots is absurd!”

Finally, he thanked Damian for teaching him a lot and praised Damian’s post-game interview.

Amazing interview @Dame_Lillard thank you! I learned a lot 🙏🏿🙌🏿

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 17, 2021

GSW’s Steph retweeted Draymond’s tweet and praised his All-star 2021 teammate Damian for his game.

As the latter did the same during his post-game interview, proving NBA is not only about rivalries and trash talk but also about respecting each other’s game.

that part! that boy good too https://t.co/3qazfEDxwx

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) March 17, 2021

In the post-game interview,  Damian talked about his performance tonight and praised Stephen Curry as the greatest shooter in the league.

Damian Lillard said,“We got some great shooters in our league.”

Then he added, “Obviously, we think of Steph Curry first when we think of shooters, the greatest shooter to ever play in our league.”

What’s next for Damian Lillard and Portland Trail Blazers.

Next, he talked about taking risks at any time to make the shot in the post-game interview and have the confidence that it’s gonna go in.

In the end, he said, “If you put the time in them and you deserve to make those shots. You expect the result.”

He considers hard work, staying humble, being disciplined, and consistency, which makes him who he is and helped him succeed.

After today’s game against Pelicans, he is back in the conversation of an MVP candidate.

If he continues to deliver nights like this, subsequently, he might be one to win the championship.

After the historic comeback after 17points deficit, Portland now has tied with 5th place Denver Nuggets in the western conference.

They will face Pelicans again on Friday, March 19, in their own home ground.

Their confidence has increased after today’s game, and with Mccollum back after two months’ absence, Portland Trail Blazers might become a lethal and dangerous team.

NBA is getting started to be more interesting as days go by with many players breaking records after records.

NBA this season is full of surprises, with many teams having the ability to win the championships.

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