Nuggets' Michael Malone Says Damian Lillard Was 'Superhuman' in Game 5

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone had high praise for Damian Lillard after the Portland Trail Blazers star had a record-breaking performance in Game 5 of the teams' first-round series Tuesday.

"Damian Lillard was superhuman tonight," Malone told reporters.

He ended the night with 55 points, 10 assists, six rebounds and three blocks and single-handedly forced both overtime periods in the 147-140 victory for the Nuggets. No other Blazers player reached 20 points, while Denver had three 20-plus-point scorers.

Lillard, who spent the weekend telling his teammates that this game would be the difference-maker in the series, became the first player to register a 55-point, 10-assist stat line in the playoffs. His 12 made threes were also a postseason record.

The Trail Blazers were down by as many as 22 points, but Lillard kept the team afloat. He hit a three to send the game to overtime with 3.0 seconds left and then gave Portland another chance by forcing double overtime:

His performance earned praise from more than just Malone. Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry were among the NBA stars who were watching, while Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson also chimed in:

Despite his legendary performance, Lillard wasn't exactly interested in talking about it postgame. Instead, he was focused on what lay ahead for the Trail Blazers, who must now win two straight to advance:

Game 6 is scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. ET in Portland, and Game 7 would be Saturday in Denver.