Portland Trail Blazers: 3 takeaways from Game 3 loss vs. Thunder

2. It was Lillard Time in the third quarter

After a competitive first half, the Trail Blazers let go of the rope a bit to open the second. They found themselves down 16 less than three minutes into the third quarter. Things were looking to get out of hand within the raucous environment of Chesapeake Energy Arena. Someone had to step up, and Damian Lillard was more than happy to fill the role.

Lillard scored a franchise-high 25 points in the third quarter. It was the most points a player has scored in a playoff quarter since Allen Iverson‘s fourth quarter in Game 6 of the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals. Dame went 8-of-11 from the field, 3-of-4 from 3-point range and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line. His performance got the Blazers to within four points by the end of the frame.

Portland would tie the game again early in the fourth before eventually losing control again. Still, it was good to see the team’s superstar try to deliver when his team needed him. Lillard has long been considered underrated, but putting up big points on the road in the playoffs is a great way to get noticed.