Golden State Warriors starting shooting guard Damion Lee had one of the more memorable, surprising Christmas performances in recent memory.
The 27-year-old made just the sixteenth start of his NBA career but he was able to live up to the big moment on national television. Lee put up 22 points in the game, including 17 points in the second quarter alone to lead Golden State’s comeback effort against the Houston Rockets.
According to ESPN Stats & Info, he was the first player on the Warriors to record 15 points and 10 rebounds in the first half since Kevin Durant did such on October 28, 2016. He needed just sixteen minutes of action to accomplish the feat.
Damion Lee's 15 rebounds about seven times more shocking than his 22 points.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 25, 2019
It was the sixth time that the two-way player has put up 20 points in a game during his NBA career.
Lee, however, had averaged just 2.8 rebounds per game since getting called up to Golden State last season. But he pulled down 15 rebounds in the match against the Rockets.
His mark against Houston was by far a career-best for boards, beating his personal record (11) when the Warriors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans on October 28, 2019.
Everyone else knew Damion Lee was going to outscore and out-board Giannis today, right?
— Michael Gallagher (@MikeSGallagher) December 25, 2019
Overall, he ended the game with more points and more rebounds than Milwaukee Bucks superstar and reigning MVP Giannis Antetkounmpo recorded during his game against the Philadelphia 76ers earlier in the afternoon on Christmas.
The accomplishment was unexpected but appreciated for fans of Golden State, who came into the game as 11.5-point underdogs. When considering it all happened alongside the allure of the holiday season, it was one that Lee will be celebrated for — and for a long time.
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