Damian Lillard sets franchise record for points in a single quarter
Despite falling 123-109 to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night, Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard set a new career high with 41 points, 26 of which came in the record-breaking fourth quarter.
Damian Lillard: 26 points in 4th quarter (breaks Terry Porter's franchise record for points in a single quarter - 25 pts in 1992)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 8, 2014
Both Sacramento and Portland combined for 89 points in the fourth quarter alone, only 10 points shy of the NBA record for most combined points in a single quarter, and the highest-scoring fourth quarter in over 22 years.
H/T @EliasSports The 89 combined Pts in the 4th between the Trail Blazers and Kings was the highest since Nov. 1991 (Bucks-Cavaliers, 90)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 8, 2014
But back to Lillard, whose performance in the final 12 minutes of Tuesday's game was nothing short of incredible.
Lillard entered the fourth quarter with a 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting. It had been something of a quiet night for the sophomore. But in the final quarter, Lillard went 5-of-8 from beyond the arc while also sinking all seven of his free throws from three trips to the line. Perhaps he suddenly remembered that Kobe Bryant had endorsed him for this year's All-Star Game.
After it stopped raining points at Sleep Train Arena, DeMarcus Cousins had nothing but praise for the 23-year-old, saying "I don't ever want to be in that situation where the ball is in Damian Lillard's hands."