Damian Lillard has actually sealed himself as possibly the best Portland Trail Blazer of perpetuity after passing Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler to end up being the all-time scoring leader in franchise history.
Lillard (18,047 profession points) went into Paycom Arena 21 points except passing Drexler (18,040 points as a Blazer). By the time the last buzzer sounded, Lillard had actually dropped 28 points on 9-17 shooting from the field, 6-12 from beyond the arc, 3 rebounds, and 6 helps. Lillard connected Drexler with a deep triple in the 3rd quarter and after that took control of the franchise record with a complimentary toss with 1:33 left in the 3rd.
“It’s a fantastic sensation to arrive,” Lillard stated per ESPN. “It’s been an objective of mine, and the list has a lot of gamers, terrific history of our company, so to lastly be No. 1 is an unique achievement that I’m happy of.”
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#RipCity pic.twitter.com/fwUDGcATFl!.?.!— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) December 20, 2022
Lillard is the 10th active gamer to end up being a franchise’s all-time leader in points. He is among 3 scoring leaders who presently bets that group, too, signing up with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Stephen Curry in the unique list. Lillard is a popular hooper in the NBA neighborhood, and the fans at Paycom Arena offered him a standing ovation after the Thunder PA commentator informed the crown Lillard had actually reached the historical accomplishment.
“Even throughout the video game tonight, I wasn’t playing concentrated on getting to the record,” Lillard stated. “I was playing the video game simply attempting to win. I understood it would take place ultimately.”
Lillard took control of the record after playing 730 profession video games with Portland, 137 less than it took Drexler to reach (867 ). The Blazers prepared Lillard 6th total in the 2012 NBA Draft out of Weber State.
The six-time All-Star is balancing 28.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.0 helps per video game on 45.4 percent shooting from the field and 40.4 percent from downtown. For his profession, Lillard has actually set up 24.7 points, 4.2 boards, and 6.7 cents per video game on 43.8 percent shooting and 37.4 percent from beyond the arc.
“Damian’s dedication to Portland is now incapsulated with this distinguished profession turning point,” Trail Blazers basic supervisor Joe Cronin stated in a declaration. “His commitment, humbleness, and effort have actually been pillars for his course to this extremely minute. On behalf of the company, we wish to praise Damian on this fantastic accomplishment and eagerly anticipate much more.”
Dame Time and the Trail Blazers will seek to return on track versus the Thunder on Wednesday.
The post WATCH: Damian Lillard Pass Clyde Drexler as Portland’s All-Time Scoring Leader appeared initially on SLAM.