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Steven Adams' NBA season is over after one of the greatest shots in playoff history knocked his Oklahoma City Thunder side out of the Western Conference playoffs.
Leading by 15 points with six minutes to play, the Thunder looked assured of keeping their season alive, but a furious Portland Trail Blazers comeback was capped off by a miraculous deep three-pointer from Damian Lillard, giving Portland a 118-115 victory and a 4-1 series victory.
Adams had 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and three blocks, but missed most of the final quarter due to foul trouble and match-up problems as the Thunder first pulled away to a big lead, then watched as Portland came charging back.
That's when Lillard hit the incredible game-winner and sent OKC home.
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Advertise with NZME."Dame" Lillard's 37-footer at the buzzer gave him 50 points for the game and he signed off by waving goodbye to the Thunder before being mobbed by his teammates. As the Thunder left the floor, Lillard circled the court, high-fiving the home fans.
Lillard had 10 three-pointers, breaking the franchise record.
"In the NBA, teams go on runs, and before you make your breakthrough, adversity is going to hit — we knew it," the 28-year-old Lillard said.
"We were going to have to fight through something to come out big. We made every play we needed to make to win this game."
It was the 12th straight road play-off loss for the Thunder, who have been eliminated in the opening round for three straight seasons.
The Thunder led 90-88 going into the final quarter and went up 105-90 with just under eight minutes left, only to wilt.
- With AP