Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the ball past Houston Rockets small forward Jae'Sean Tate (8, left). Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

NBA deflates Damian Lillard's mood after absurd night

After Portland Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard scored 71 points against the Houston Rockets on Sunday night, the NBA poked the superstar.

"Are y'all serious?" an irritated Lillard said afterward about the league's random drug test.

The 32-year-old said it was the first drug test he has taken after a game during his 11-season NBA career. Admitting his fear of needles, Lillard said it totally killed his mood.

"It brought me down from [up] here to the floor," he said.

Lillard, who is averaging 32.3 points, has played at an inhuman pace lately. In the four games before his 71-point effort, he scored 26, 39, 40 and 38 points. Last weekend, he won the three-point shooting contest at the All-Star Game as well.

Lillard's the only player to score 60+ points and hit 10+ three-pointers in multiple games, yet another reason why he was selected onto the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team last season.

The NBA's "random" drug tests are nothing new. Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell was tested the day after his 71-point outburst earlier this season, and Memphis' Ja Morant complained about his handful of tests this season, too.

On Tuesday night, Lillard looks to continue his epic run against the Warriors, a team he averages nearly 29 points against.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Mystics 2025 first-round pick's season in doubt after concerning injury
Marlins outfielder expected to miss remainder of 2025 season 
Tyrese Haliburton’s father addresses his incident with Giannis Antetokounmpo
Patriots' Austin Hooper explains what teammates can expect from HC Mike Vrabel
Falcons to pick up star WR's fifth-year option
Falcons react to NFL levying fine against team and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich
Insider names frontrunner in Browns' QB competition after drafting Shedeur Sanders
Yankees offense goes nuclear in blowout win
Giannis Antetokounmpo rips Tyrese Haliburton's father for 'disrespectful' act
Celtics make unique NBA playoff history in Game 5 win
How Steelers reportedly expect Aaron Rodgers saga will end
Juan Soto's bat speed decline threatens Mets' $765 million investment
NFL team executive expands on what Browns' Shedeur Sanders did wrong before draft
Insider suggests four-time Pro Bowl option for Steelers if Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign
Watch: Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton eliminate the Bucks in OT
Stanley Cup playoffs takeaways: Hurricanes advance, panic time for Maple Leafs
Jayson Tatum's historic game helps send Celtics to Eastern Conference semis
Pirates ace Paul Skenes explains why he's not concerned about potential injuries
Steelers may have found another steal in UDFA pool as Pittsburgh lands an athletic freak
49ers sign star TE to four-year extension