Kobe Bryant’s 81-Point Game wouldn’t be 2nd Best All-Time if Damian Lillard “Wanted to” Score 90 in Career-Night in Houston

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard reached his explosive best in the 2022-23 season with a 71-pointer. Notably, he almost leveled Klay Thompson’s 14 three-pointers record on that night. Amid his current trade drama, Lillard found himself in another debate, but for a good reason. Almost five months after his explosive game, a former Houston Rockets star hailed that Dame could have surpassed Kobe Bryant’s iconic 81-point game.

Ever since he expressed his wish to find a new franchise, Lillard has been stuck in a long-standing trade drama. 7x NBA All-Star has anchored the Portland franchise for 11 seasons and he is yet to win a ring. Despite averaging 25.2 points in the regular season and 5x 60-pointer games, the 7x All-Star hasn’t really tasted success. Meanwhile, when the entire NBA world expects a huge trade update, Dame Dolla’s opponent hailed him for his explosive best in February 2023.

A Rockets star hails Damian Lillard for his career-best game

The Trail Blazers had a disappointing campaign in the 2022-23 season, finishing 13th seed in the Western Conference. However, the team’s star player, Damian Lillard had an emphatic outing in the season, averaging 32.2 points in the regular season. Especially, the star’s career-best 71-pointer against the Rockets stood out of the lot. Importantly, five months after the game, former Rockets forward Kenyon Martin Jr. hailed Lillard’s performance in a recent podcast.

Featuring in the Podcast P with Paul George alongside his dad, Kenyon Martin, KJ Martin reminisced about the game from February. He added, “I was sick to my stomach,” while his dad narrated how he kept running to get the rebound. Furthermore, he said how Lillard could have the second-highest point scorer in the game beating Kobe Bryant. He said, “He had 40 at halftime against us. He could have scored 90 if he wanted.” While the hoops community believed that Mamba’s 81-pointer was one of the greatest performances ever, Martin Jr. threw everyone off guard.

Notably, Lillard scored 41 points in the first half within 19 minutes and if he kept going, he could have beat several records.

Read More – “He Could Be Traded”: With Damian Lillard and James Harden Still in the Market, ESPN Reporter Hints at a Major Trade Involving Warriors’ Chris Paul

While we talk about Dame Time, let’s not forget Mamba’s iconic 81-pointer

Mamba smoked an 81-pointer in 2006

In a comeback game at home, Kobe Bryant lit up the arena against the Toronto Raptors with 81 points. Importantly, he went on to record the second-highest single game points tally in the League behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-pointer. After the game, Bryant himself couldn’t believe it as he said, “Not even in my dreams… It’s tough to explain. It’s just one of those things.”

Watch This Story – Damian Lillard Drops a Time Bomb about His NBA Future

What do you make of KJ Martin’s opinion on Lillard surpassing Mamba’s 81-pointer? Let us know your opinion in the comments.