Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard: Scores 31 on 31 shots in OT loss

Lillard logged 31 points (11-31 FG, 5-16 3Pt, 4-5 FT), two rebounds, 10 assists and one block in 47 minutes during Tuesday's 111-107 overtime loss to the Suns.

Playing in his second straight game after a five-game absence, Lillard again struggled shooting the ball but nonetheless managed his third 30-point effort of the season. While it's been a disappointing start for a player who's typically one of the league's most dependable stars, Lillard remains a consistent source of points, assists, rebounds, and threes, though his field goal percentage -- career-low 38.6 percent -- leaves plenty to be desired. The cortisone shot Lillard recently received in his abdomen should allow him to play through the injury, but he's expected to require surgery at some point. Ideally, that would happen during the 2022 offseason, but with the Blazers -- losers of six straight -- free-falling in the Western Conference, it's possible the direction of the team could influence Lillard's decision.