Damian Lillard Blazing in Fire After Setting a New NBA Record

Damian Lillard, currently playing for the Portland Trail Blazers is literally blazing in the fire.

The Los Angeles Lakers played against the Portland Trail Blazers on 31 January 2020. This was their first game after NBA and Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant’s death. The Lakers suffered a 119-127 loss.

Damian Lillard: Blazing in Fire

After a subdued start, Damian Lillard lifted the energy in the third quarter. He hit 23 points and achieved a game-high 48 to issue the Lakers a 127-119 loss.

It was the night the Lakers honoured Kobe Bryant in the organization’s first game since his death on Sunday in a helicopter accident. However, Lillard stole the show by scoring 48 points, dishing out 11 assists and grabbing nine rebounds.

Lillard became the first NBA player to make 40 three-point shots in a five-game span. He also became the first to record at least 35 points, five rebounds, five assists and five three-pointers in five straight games.

When he was asked after the game if he thinks this is the best stretch of his career, he said, ” yeah, I do “.

Lillard’s latest feat came only two days after he recorded his first career triple-double in Wednesday’s win over the Houston Rockets, scoring 36 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 11 assists. In his past five games, Lillard is averaging 48.4 points, 9.8 assists and 8.2 rebounds.

Damian Lillard, however, was not very pumped up about his achievements.

“I don’t think anybody feels like we walked away as a winner tonight, given the circumstances,” Lillard said. “The memories that we’ll take away from [the moment] are just sad. It was just tough. It was good that we had to compete, so being on the winning side is positive, but I don’t think anybody walks away from this moment and this situation a winner.”

Lillard’s success turned out to be an afterthought for him due to his immense respect for Bryant and overwhelming emotions about his death.