Want to have your own holiday? The process is simple enough, really, if you live in Portland, Oregon; score 61 points in a professional basketball game and it appears that you’re on the same fast track as Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard. Lillard received a ringing endorsement from Portland mayor Ted Wheeler on Tuesday afternoon.
.@dame_lillard deserves his own day after making history. We’ll make that happen. #DamianLillardDay https://t.co/q31VChUfvx
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) January 21, 2020
Lillard delivered a historic performance during Monday night’s 129-124 overtime win over the Golden State Warriors. He dropped a career-high and franchise record 61 points, while also setting the franchise record for made threes in a game with 11. Even while Houston Rockets guard James Harden continues to demolish the modern NBA scoring record books, Lillard now owns the mark for most points scored in a single game this season.
Lillard and the Warriors have a long-standing history with one another. The Bay Area squad has been kryptonite to Lillard’s and the Blazers’ championship aspirations, while the four-time All-Star and Oakland native has scorched Golden State to the tune of 28.9 points per game across 27 regular-season contests, the most points per game that he has averaged against any opponent in the league throughout his career.
Monday night’s dominant performance against the Warriors was just a small glimpse into how dangerous of a scorer Lillard can be when CJ McCollum is not available. McCollum was sidelined for the second straight game Monday due to an ankle injury he suffered on Friday in a loss to the Dallas Mavericks, and his absence paved the way for Lillard’s hot hand to be fed at will.
Even as the Trail Blazers sit on the outside looking in of the playoff picture, it appears that Lillard could be honored with a holiday in the city. Expect those plans to be announced by the mayor in the near future.
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