Damian Lillard scores 50 points in loss to Raptors
Damian Lillard could not be stopped on Friday night, collecting 50 points in a 117-115 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
The Portland Trail Blazers point guard added five assists and three rebounds to his impressive performance - going 16-of-28 from the field.
Related: Lillard beats buzzer with contested 40-footer vs. Raptors
With Toronto up 15 with just over 11 minutes remaining, Lillard put the team on his back in the fourth quarter - collecting 22 of his 50 in the game's final frame.
Damian Lillard: 9th 30-point game since Feb. 1 (most in NBA)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 5, 2016
He's the 1st Blazer with 3 40-pt games in a season since Brandon Roy (2009-10)
Lillard has been red-hot since the All-Star break, averaging 33.6 points over the last nine contests. The Weber State alumnus has seemingly made it his mission to prove his doubters wrong after being snubbed as a reserve for the Western All-Star team.
Damian Lillard becomes the 2nd player in Trail Blazers history with 2 career 50-point games (Geoff Petrie) pic.twitter.com/pGfIczh4RE
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) March 5, 2016
Lillard has put together an All-NBA-level season, averaging 25.3. points, 6.9 assists, and 4.3 rebounds, while shooting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc. After losing four starters in the offseason, Lillard has inarguably been the main reason the Blazers are still in the Western Conference playoff race this late in the season.
Dame Lillard since the All-Star break: 51, 30, 34, 23. 31. 33. 30, 20, 50. #NBAVote
— Mico Halili (@micohalili) March 5, 2016
The Blazers (33-30) have now dropped their last two contests and will look to get back into the win column Sunday against the Detroit Pistons.