Portland Trail Blazers: Top 10 player performances of 2017

3. Damian Lillard, Nov. 5: 36 points, 13 assists, 5 rebounds, 36.3 Game Score

We now return to Damian Lillard Territory on this list. Our final entry from 2017-18 saw Lillard push past the division rival Oklahoma City Thunder with a double-double. Portland beat out Oklahoma City 103-99 to improve to 6-4 on the season.

This Thunder team takes on a different look than the teams of the past several seasons. Last season, Russell Westbrook earned the Most Valuable Player award for almost single-handedly getting OKC into the playoffs.

Now, he is flanked by All-Star forwards Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. Their acquisitions over the offseason instantly put them in consideration as a challenger to mighty Golden State. However, this “super-team,” unsure of how to jell with one another, got off to a rough start. They entered the game with a 4-4 record.

Lillard saw this as an opportunity to pounce. He led the charge in scoring and playmaking, allowing his Big Three to push aside the Thunder’s Big Three. Lillard, McCollum and Nurkic combined for 83 points. Westbrook, George and Anthony finished with only 67 points.

Portland’s trio hasn’t been able to connect on that level since. However, steered by Lillard, they were able to show on this night just how much damage could be done if they’re all hot.