On This Day (Dec. 29)
Notable events from NBA history that occurred on December 29.
Christmas Special
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Thus far all of my posts have been 100% free, but that will be changing on January 1. Sign up for Statitudes using the special link below and you’ll get 20% off your first 12 months.
I think you’ll love it, but don’t take my word for it. Here’s what others are saying:
Regular readers know how often I rely on the tremendous statistical research routinely provided on Twitter by Justin Kubatko. Some excellent news: Justin has just launched his very own Substack filled with NBA research goodness. — Marc Stein
Justin’s always been a must-follow, and his Substack will be, too. — Howard Beck, Sports Illustrated
Shoutout to Justin Kubatko for the assist. Highly recommend his new-ish Substack, Statitudes! — J.E. Skeets, No Dunks Podcast
Please consider a 12-month subscription as a gift to yourself or someone else. Your support will allow me to continue to harvest the statistical content you want to consume. Thank you, and here’s that special link once again.
Jordan’s Final 50-Piece
On this day in 2001, the Washington Wizards’ Michael Jordan scored 51 points in a 107-90 win over the Charlotte Hornets. It was the 31st and final 50-point game of his illustrious career. The only player in NBA history with more such games is Wilt Chamberlain:
118 — Wilt Chamberlain
31 — Michael Jordan
25 — Kobe Bryant
23 — James Harden
17 — Elgin Baylor
At the time, Jordan was the oldest player in NBA history to record a 50-point game, a distinction now held by Jamal Crawford (age in years-days):
39-020 — Jamal Crawford (April 9, 2019)
38-315 — Michael Jordan (Dec. 29, 2001)
37-234 — Kobe Bryant (April 13, 2016)
37-071 — LeBron James (March 11, 2022)
37-065 — James (March 5, 2022)
Bucks Hit 29 Threes
On this day in 2020, the Milwaukee Bucks made an NBA single-game record 29 3-pointers in a 144-97 rout of the Miami Heat. The Bucks had 12 players make at least one 3-pointer, the most such players in a game in NBA history. Jrue Holiday led the way with six 3-pointers made.
The Bucks scored 100 points on just 3-pointers and free throws. They are one of only five teams to score at least 100 points via 3-pointers and free throws:
104 — Houston Rockets (Jan. 19, 2019)
104 — Houston Rockets (Nov. 30, 2019)
102 — L.A. Clippers (Aug. 1, 2020)
101 — Utah Jazz (Dec. 3, 2021)
100 — Milwaukee Bucks (Dec. 29, 2020)
The Bucks are also one of only five teams in NBA history to outscore their opponent on 3-pointers and free throws alone:
Charlotte Hornets, 80-79 (March 22, 2018)
Milwaukee Bucks, 100-97 (Dec. 29, 2020)
Utah Jazz, 76-75 (March 29, 2021)
Boston Celtics, 93-87 (Feb. 15, 2022)
Dallas Mavericks, 84-78 (April 8, 2022)
Milestone Win for Nellie
On this day in 2001, the Dallas Mavericks’ Don Nelson became the third coach in NBA history to reach 1,000 wins with a 113-97 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. Nelson joined Lenny Wilkens and Pat Riley in the 1,000-wins club.
Nelson is now one of 10 coaches with at least 1,000 wins; one of four coaches with at least 1,000 losses; and one of only two coaches to reach both marks (Wilkens). His 2,398 games coached are second in NBA history to Wilkens’ 2,487.
Record Streak for Wilt
On this day in 1962, the San Francisco Warriors’ Wilt Chamberlain made 14 field goals in a 114-109 win over the New York Knicks, his last of 116 consecutive games with at least 10 field goals made. That’s by far the longest such streak in NBA history:
116 — Wilt Chamberlain (Oct. 19, 1961–Dec. 29, 1962)
43 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Dec. 28, 1971–March 21, 1972)
43 — Chamberlain (Dec. 20, 1963–March 1, 1964)
29 — Chamberlain (Dec. 25, 1959–Feb. 9, 1960)
28 — Michael Jordan (Jan. 15, 1987–March 11, 1987)
Chamberlain made at least 10 field goals in all 80 games the previous season, a season in which he averaged an NBA-record 50.4 PPG.