NBA Game Notes (Dec. 12, 2022)

Here are the NBA game notes for games that were played on December 12, 2022.

Old West Shootout

Luka Doncic had 38 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists as the Mavericks outgunned the Thunder 121-114. It’s the 18th time Doncic has recorded at least 30 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a game this season, the most such games in NBA history by a player through his first 25 games of a season.

Doncic has compiled 827 points, 214 rebounds, and 219 assists this season. No other player in NBA history has reached 800 points, 200 rebounds, and 200 assists through their first 25 games of a season.

Doncic has tallied at least 20 points and five assists in each of his 25 games this season, the longest such streak to open a season in NBA history. Dating back to last season, he’s recorded 34 such games in a row. Only Oscar Robertson and Nate Archibald have produced a longer such streak.

The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a game-high 42 points in the loss, making 14 of his 23 shots from the field (60.9%) and all 13 of his free throws. He leads the NBA in free throw percentage this season at 93.3%.

It’s the 13th time Gilgeous-Alexander has scored at least 30 points on 50% shooting from the field this season. The only guards in NBA history to record more such games through their first 25 games of a season are Michael Jordan (1988-89) and Doncic (2022-23), each of whom produced 15 such games.

Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 780 points this season, the most in franchise history by a player through his first 25 games of a season. The previous mark of 767 points was held by Russell Westbrook (2016-17).

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Lillard Ties Franchise Mark

The Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard tied his franchise single-game record with 11 3-pointers made in a 133-112 rout of the Timberwolves. Lillard recorded his third straight 35-point game, scoring 38 points on 13-21 shooting from the field (61.9%).

Lillard sat out the entire fourth quarter. The only player in NBA history to make more 3-pointers through the first three quarters of a game is Klay Thompson with 14 on Oct. 29, 2018.

It’s the fourth time Lillard has made at least 10 3-pointers in a game. The only players in NBA history with more such games are the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry (22) and Klay Thompson (6).

In his four games since returning from a calf strain, Lillard is averaging 33.8 PPG and shooting 50.6% from the field, 50.9% from 3-point range, and 100% from the free throw line (25-25).

Backcourt mate Anfernee Simons made his 100th 3-pointer of the season. He’s just the sixth player in NBA history to reach that mark through his first 25 games of a season (a total of 12 instances):

• Stephen Curry (5 times)

• James Harden (3 times)

• Buddy Hield

• Damian Lillard

• CJ McCollum

• Anfernee Simons

Three of the players listed above — Lillard, McCollum, and Simons — did so with the Trail Blazers. At 23 years and 187 days old, Simons is the youngest player to do so by more than three years.

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Durant Leads Nets

The Nets’ Kevin Durant continued his stellar play, producing 30 points, 9 rebounds, and six assists — all team-high figures — in a 112-100 win over the Wizards. Durant shot 11-17 from the field (64.7%) and made all five of his free throws.

Durant has recorded at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in seven of his last nine games. The only player in NBA history age 34 years or older to record more such games in a nine-game span is LeBron James (8).

Teammate Kyrie Irving contributed 24 points, six rebounds, and five assists. It’s the fourth time Durant and Irving have each recorded at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the same game this season, tying Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday for the most such games by a duo.

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Grizzles Maul Hawks

Tyus Jones scored 22 points and dished out 11 assists — both figures game highs — as the Grizzlies mauled the Hawks 128-103. Jones did this despite playing only 25 minutes, the fewest in franchise history by a player in a 20-point, 10-assist game:

• 25 — Tyus Jones (Dec. 12, 2022)

• 28 — Ja Morant (Nov. 25, 2022)

• 29 — Mike Conley (Nov. 5, 2014)

Jones also recorded three steals. Since the NBA began tracking steals in 1973-74, the only other players to record at least 20 points, 10 assists, and three steals in 25 or fewer minutes played are Lionel Hollins (March 22, 1983) and Chris Paul (Feb. 11, 2013).

The Grizzlies outshot the Hawks from the field 60.2% to 35.6%, the largest such difference in the NBA this season. The Grizzlies made 12 3-pointers for an effective field goal percentage of 68.1%, the fourth-highest such figure in franchise history.