Just two weeks ago, Damian Lillard seemed to take offense over a tweet.
After Portland’s win over the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 13, the Trail Blazers star called out a journalist’s suggestion from social media that he and guard C.J. McCollum weren’t the best backcourt in the NBA. That reporter wondered if the Washington Wizards — with Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal — were better.
“I don’t see how it would be today after tonight,” said Lillard, whose 40 points led Portland to a comeback win.
Lillard’s comment added a layer of anticipation for the next time the Blazers faced the Wizards — which happens Tuesday when Portland comes to town for an 8 p.m. showdown at Capital One Arena.
Unfortunately, McCollum will miss the matchup with a broken foot. But Lillard is healthy — and is in the midst of another incredible season. Lillard is averaging 29.6 points per game, the second-best mark of his career.
Lillard also seems to relish facing Westbrook. In December, the five-time All-Star called Westbrook his “arch-nemesis” and the two have had some heated battles on the court — none more so than when Lillard eliminated Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder from the playoffs with a game-winning 3-pointer in 2019.
Lillard said he and Westbrook “go after” each other in each meeting.
“It’s been that way every time we’ve played since I’ve been in the NBA,” Lillard said in December in an Instagram video with rapper Fat Joe. “Eight straight years of just me and him going at each other.”
The Wizards’ backcourt, meanwhile, is finally rounding into shape. Westbrook had a season-high 41 points in Sunday’s dramatic 149-146 win over the Brooklyn Nets, hitting the go-ahead 3 with seconds left. More importantly, Westbrook finally looks healthy after a quad injury hampered him to begin the year.
Damian Lillard saw your tweets 😭 pic.twitter.com/VWwuV9LdIO
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) January 14, 2021
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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