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Top 10 individual performances of the 2019-20 NBA season

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Juan Estevez
and others
• 9 min read
Lillard Harden

As live action remains on pause with the NBA's current suspension from the coronavirus, take a look at 10 of the best individual performances so far this season!

10. Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Utah Jazz

Giannis

The Greek Freak went for 50 points, 14 rebounds and six assists shooting 17-for-31 from the field in the Bucks win over the Jazz back on Nov. 25.

Unfortunately for Giannis, Milwaukee's dominance prevents him from appearing again on this list because he typically gets to rest more than other stars on this list. He's played 32 minutes or less in 36 of his 57 games this season.

9. Damian Lillard vs. Utah Jazz

#Lillard

Lillard appears a couple of times on this list, mostly during his dominant stretch from January into early February.

IIn this case, it was a jaw-dropping performance in the Blazers 124-107 win over the Jazz back on Feb. 1.

Just one night after a game he'll never forget at the STAPLES Center – which we'll get to in a moment – the All-Star guard dropped 51 points and 12 assists shooting 17-for-29 from the field and 9-for-15 from beyond the arc.

One of the better performances from a red-hot few weeks for Lillard.

8. James Harden vs. Orlando Magic

james harden

On Dec. 13, The Beard destroyed the Orlando Magic for 54 points, seven assists and five rebounds.

Harden was super efficient, going 19-for-31 from the field, 10-for-15 from 3 and 6-for-6 from the free throw line. It was his second-consecutive 50-point game, dropping 55 points on the Cleveland Cavaliers the game before.

7. Caris LeVert vs. Boston Celtics

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This is the most recent performance on this list, from the only player that wouldn't be classified as a superstar.

LeVert had the best game of his career on Mar. 3 against the Celtics, scoring 51 points to go with five assists and four rebounds in the Nets' comeback win at the TD Garden.

He scored 26 points in the fourth quarter to overcome a 17-point deficit, then scored 11 points in overtime as Brooklyn left Boston with one of their best wins of the season.

6. Damian Lillard vs. Brooklyn Nets

Lillard

Back on Nov. 8, Lillard was unstoppable.

Something to note: this is the only performance on this list that came in a loss, but Dame was just too good to leave it off.

Lillard scored 60 points in 40 minutes of playing tme, going 19-for-33 from the field, 7-for-16 from beyond the arc and 15-for-15 from the free throw line, leaving it all on the court for the Blazers in a losing effort.

5. James Harden vs. Washington Wizards

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Way back toward the start of the season on Oct. 30, Harden put on a clinic in an offensive showcase between the Rockets and Wizards.

With a final score of 159-158 in regulation, Harden's 59 points and nine 3-pointers game Houston the edge over Washington.

He shot 18-for-32 from the field, 6-for-14 from 3 and 17-for-18 from the free throw line, with one of those free throws winning the game in the final seconds. His performance edged what was an impressive night from Bradley Beal, who had 46 points, eight assists and six rebounds.

4. Damian Lillard vs. Golden State Warriors

Lillard

In a continuation of his magical start to 2020, Lillard went for a career-high 61 points to go with 10 rebounds and seven assists in a win over the Warriors on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

He shot 17-for-37 from the field, 11-for-20 from 3 and a perfect 16-for-16 from the free throw line.

To add to his performance, 19 of his 61 points came in the fourth quarter and overtime to help seal the win. Dame Time at it's finest.

3. Kyrie Irving vs. Chicago Bulls

Kyrie Irving

Irving only needed 32 minutes to drop 54 points on the Bulls back on Jan. 31.

He was insanely efficient in this contest, only missing four shots. He was 19-for-23 from the field, 7-for-9 from 3 and 9-for-10 from the free throw line in a win over Chicago.

2. James Harden vs. Atlanta Hawks

#Harden

To one-up Irving from the previously mentioned performance, Harden only needed 31 minutes to score 60 points against the Hawks back on Nov. 30.

His 60-piece came on shooting 16-for-24 from the field, 8-for-14 from 3 and 20-for-23 from the free throw line while also dishing out eight assists.

Klay Thompson is the only other player in NBA history to score 60 points in less time than Harden, dropping 60 on the Indiana Pacers back in 2016 in 29 minutes of action.

1. Damian Lillard vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Damian Lillard

And the best performance of the 2019-20 season goes too... Damian Lillard on Jan. 31 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Despite the fact that this is his lowest scoring total on this list, it's a game that Lillard will never forget. This was the first game at the STAPLES Center since the passing of legend Kobe Bryant, with a pregame ceremony and all to honour the Black Mamba.

Lillard did exactly what Kobe would've loved to do, coming in as the road underdogs to go for 48 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds and two steals in a win.

He shot 17-for-30 from the field, 7-for-12 from 3 and 7-for-8 from the free throw line for the game, but his third quarter was downright insane.

It was Lillard Time in the third frame, going for 23 points with six 3-pointers on just seven attempts. The Blazers turned a halftime deficit into a lead going into the fourth quarter behind Dame's outburst, going on to lead Portland to victory.

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Author(s)
Juan Estevez Photo
Juan Estevez

Juan es productor de contenido en las ediciones en español de The Sporting News.

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