:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62602050/usa_today_11695931.0.jpg)
The Portland Trail Blazers snapped their three-game losing streak with a 115-112 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night. Damian Lillard proved to be the difference for Portland in the win, and his heroic performance down the stretch earned the praise of Nik Stauskas.
After the game, The Athletic’s Jason Quick spoke with Stauskas about Lillard’s record-breaking night.
“That’s what first team All-NBA guys do — they bring it on the nights when their team needs them the most. That’s why I feel like he is in the race for MVP this year, because we need him. If we want to be one of those teams to compete in the West and at the top of the league, we need him to have those kind of performances every once in a while and save us.”
Lillard recorded 41 points, and his 10 three-point field goals set a new single-game record for the Blazers. Stauskas provided a memorable outing of his own by scoring 18 points off the bench.
You can read Quick’s full post by visiting The Athletic (subscription required).