Two players pull off rare NBA feat
A career-best for Damian Lillard. A career-best for D’Angelo Russell.
And neither was enough, on a wacky Friday in the NBA.
Lillard scored a franchise-record 60 for Portland in its loss to Brooklyn, Russell had 52 in Golden State’s loss at Minnesota — and those efforts added up to an absolute NBA rarity. Friday became only the second night in league history in which multiple players scored at least 50 points in losses. The only other such day: April 9, 1978. David Thompson scored 73 points in Denver’s loss to Detroit, and George Gervin scored 63 in San Antonio’s loss to the New Orleans Jazz. That was the final day of the 1977-78 regular season, one where Thompson and Gervin were going for the league’s scoring title.
No scoring title was at stake Friday. It was merely a wild night.
“Obviously, Dame was exceptional tonight,” Portland coach Terry Stotts said. “Carried us, put us in a position to win the game.”
Lillard capped his 60-point effort, one more than his previous career best, with a 34-footer at the buzzer to cap a 119-115 loss. He was 19 for 33 from the field, 15 for 15 from the foul line, but merely slapped a few teammates’ hands and walked off the floor quietly after the record night.
Russell was 19 for 37 from the field, but the Warriors fell to the Timberwolves 125-119.
“D’Angelo hit some incredible shots . ... Played a fantastic game,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
Russell said he never scored 50 in a game before Friday. His previous NBA high was 44.
“It’s not easy to get 50 in this league,” Russell said.