Damian Lillard makes case for being greatest ever Trail Blazer by becoming the all-time leading scorer
Damian Lillard is making a case to become the greatest player in Portland Trail Blazers history. Lillard just became the all-time leading scorer on Monday night against the OKC Thunder.
With 1:33 left in the third quarter, Lillard knocked down a free throw to become the all-time leading scorer in the Blazers' franchise history. He overtook the legendary Clyde Drexler, who had 18,040 points in his career in Portland from 1983 to 1995.
Lillard has been with the Blazers since being selected sixth overall in the 2012 NBA draft. He broke the team's all-time scoring record faster than Drexler.
Damian Lillard is the @trailblazers all-time leading scorer!
Congrats, @Dame_Lillard! https://t.co/s5B47X3JTQ
Damian Lillard entered Monday's game with 18,020 points following his record-breaking night against the Houston Rockets last Saturday. Lillard became the second Portland Trail Blazers player in NBA history to reach 18,000 points. He also climbed to No. 6 in the Blazers' all-time steals list.
Lillard's family was in the stands to witness the milestone. Former teammate LaMarcus Aldridge, who's third in the Blazers' all-time scoring list, was among the first to congratulate Lillard.
Moments like these ❤️
#RipCity | @Dame_Lillard https://t.co/beYz0wuTNz
But is Damian Lillard the greatest Portland Trail Blazer of all time? Clyde Drexler holds most of the team records and led the Blazers to the 1990 and 1992 NBA Finals.
Drexler is still the Blazers' all-time leader in games played, minutes played, field goals made and steals. Lillard has the chance to surpass all those records, as well as become the all-time franchise leader in assists. He needs just 461 assists to break Terry Porter's record.
Meanwhile, Bill Walton played just four seasons in Portland, but led them to the only NBA championship in franchise history. Lillard has only reached the Western Conference Finals once in 2019.
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OKC Thunder ruin Damian Lillard's historic night
Damian Lillard finished his record-breaking night with 28 points, three rebounds and six assists. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the OKC Thunder came out on top by getting a 123-121 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Gilgeous-Alexander put on a better performance with 35 points, two rebounds and six assists. He also hit the game-winning, buzzer-beating baseline jumper to give the Thunder the win.
Despite Gilgeous-Alexander's scoring output, it was a total team effort for the Thunder. Lu Dort and Jalen Williams each scored 13 points, while Aaron Wiggins added 12 points. Kenrich Williams, Mike Muscala and Isaiah Joe all scored in double-digits off the bench.
Meanwhile, Damian Lillard also had plenty of help from his teammates. Jerami Grant had 26 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Anfernee Simons added 19 points and four rebounds.
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