Kevin Durant topped Damian Lillard individually Wednesday, but it was the Portland Trail Blazers beating the Golden State Warriors that won the day. The 123-117 loss sunk the Warriors to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, which hasn’t happened this late in the season since Golden State’s emergence in 2014.
Kevin Durant had first 50-point game with Warriors, but was still out dueled by Damian Lillard
Durant dropped half-a-hundred, but Lillard got the win along with his 44 points.
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Durant finished the game with 50 points, his first time scoring 50 in Golden State and the fifth time in his career. In fact, Durant had previously only scored 40 points twice since joining the Warriors. His last 50-point game was a 51-point outing against the Toronto Raptors in 2014.
To reach 50 on Wednesday, Durant rattled off back-to-back four-point plays at one point.
Here are his full highlights from the night:
Durant nearly had 53, swishing home a three-pointer with 8.8 seconds left on the clock, only for referees to call him for stepping out of bounds — the correct call, as far replay showed. His turnover on that crucial play set up Portland’s win, which couldn’t have happened with Lillard.
Here are full highlights from Lillard’s 44 points:
Lillard had 50 points two games ago while only needing three quarters, and on Monday, he exploded for 39. That means that Lillard is averaging 44.3 points in his final three games before the all-star break. On Wednesday, his final line was recorded like this: 44 points, 14-of-25 shooting, 4-of-11 on threes, eight assists, and four turnovers.
He had the Kings pleading for him to stop a couple games ago. You have to imagine everyone feels that way.
Durant had the points lead, but Lillard is incredible and his team got the win. It was a hell of a night from both stars, no question.
