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Lillard seals 50-point masterpiece with game-winning 37-foot 3-pointer: Reporter notebook

Damian Lillard scored a Blazers playoff record 50 points to lead Portland to a 118-115 win in Game 5 to eliminate the Thunder. Portland moves on to the second round for the first time since 2016.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Damian Lillard called it the best game of his career.

The Trail Blazers' superstar point guard hit a game-winning 37-foot 3-pointer as time expired to lift Portland to a 118-115 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It was part of a record-setting night for Lillard, who scored 50 points to break LaMarcus Aldridge's franchise playoff single-game scoring record.

Lillard also hit 10 3-pointers, breaking his own playoff single-game record. He played 45 grueling minutes, sitting out only the first three minutes of the fourth quarter.

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After the game, Lillard was asked if that was the best game he's ever played.

"I've played a lot of games," Lillard said. "I think that's probably the best, just because it was a closeout game. ... My part in it, I think was probably my best performance."

Lillard's coach agreed.

"Damian's performance was probably the best performance I've seen in person," Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts said. "The magnitude of the last shot, obviously to win a series."

RELATED: Watch Damian Lillard's game-winning shot to beat Oklahoma City

With the win, Portland advances to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Blazers will play the winner of the series between the second-seeded Denver Nuggets and seventh-seeded San Antonio Spurs.

Denver beat San Antonio 108-90 on Tuesday to take a 3-2 series lead.

KGW's Orlando Sanchez and Jared Cowley were at the Moda Center and provided updates before, during and after the game.

Postgame

Fourth quarter

Third quarter

Second quarter

First quarter

Pregame

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