The Philadelphia 76ers have long said that Damian Lillard would be a dream trade return for Ben Simmons, so fans were never going to let this opportunity pass.
With the Portland Trail Blazers only making one trip to Philadelphia during the regular season, the infamous 76ers supporter base seized the chance to let Lillard know he would be welcomed with open arms if he was to ever be moved.
LIVE UPDATES: Champion jockey gives expert Melbourne Cup predictions, horse scratched
READ MORE: Simon O’Donnell’s Melbourne Cup form guide with tips, jockeys and odds
While opposition stars often become the butt of jokes during chants by the 76ers’ fans, their reception for the guard was notable.
The Portland star found support from Philly fans while making a trip to the charity stripe early in the match.
“We want Lillard! We want Lillard!” the crowd chanted just minutes into the game.
Reports claim Simmons is doing “more shooting” and “more work” as his return to the court for the 76ers ramps up.
Lillard’s name was tossed around during the offseason in trade talks but he shut down reports he wanted to leave Portland.
Speaking after the match Lillard expressed appreciation for the “love” Philadelphia fans showed him during the game.
https://twitter.com/SIChrisMannix/status/1455353115432062979?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/SIChrisMannix/status/1455354972695040000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfwhttps://twitter.com/TimBontemps/status/1455342534838964237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Seth Curry stepped up in Joel Embiid’s absence, scoring 23 points — including several key buckets late — to lead short-handed Philadelphia over Portland 113-103.
Embiid, the team’s leading scorer and four-time All-Star, was out to rest — his first missed game of the season.
The 76ers were also without Tobias Harris (health and safety protocols), who was a late scratch, and lost starter Danny Green in the third quarter due to hamstring tightness but not before he scored 11 points.
READ MORE: Prosecutors drop ‘forcible touching’ charges against Jordan De Goey
READ MORE: Melbourne Cup 2021 race day guide
It was the first of three games in four nights for Philadelphia, which has won three straight. Georges Niang added 21 points for the 76ers.
Norman Powell led the Trail Blazers with 22 points. Lillard had 20 points and 10 assists and C.J. McCollum also had 20 points.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!