On This Day (Dec. 6)
On This Day (Dec. 6)
Notable events from NBA history that occurred on December 6.
Epic Two-Game Run
On this day in 2000, the Golden State Warriors’ Antawn Jamison had 51 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists in a 125-122 overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Jamison matched his career high for points, which he had just established in his previous game.
Jamison is one of only three players in NBA history to record at least 50 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive games. The others are Elgin Baylor (Dec. 11 & 13, 1961) and Wilt Chamberlain (numerous times).
Jamison’s Game Score was 46.0, the highest such figure of his career. Since the NBA began tracking individual turnovers in 1977-78, Jamison is the only player to record a Game Score of 45.0 or higher in consecutive games.
Jamison shot 21-29 from the field in this game (72.4%) and 23-36 from the field in his previous game (63.9%). The only other players in NBA history to score at least 50 points on 60% shooting from the field in consecutive games are Bernard King (Jan. 31 & Feb. 1, 1984) and Wilt Chamberlain (four times).
The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant scored 51 points in the loss, making this the fifth game in NBA history in which opposing players each recorded a 50-point game. It hasn't happened in the regular season since, although Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray accomplished the feat in the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Birthday
On this day in 1994, Giannis Antetokounmpo was born in Athens, Greece. A six-time All-Star, two-time MVP, one-time NBA champion, and member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Antetokounmpo has career averages of 22.1 PPG, 9.4 RPG, and 4.6 APG in 675 games.
Antetokounmpo is the only player in NBA history to win both the Most Improved Player and Most Valuable Player Awards. He and Michael Jordan are the only players to win multiple MVP Awards and a Defensive Player of the Year Award.
Since the NBA began tracking steals and blocks in 1973-74, Antetokounmpo is the only player to finish a season ranked in the top 20 in total points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks (2016-17).
Career High for Chenier
On this day in 1972, the Baltimore Bullets' Phil Chenier scored a career-high 53 points in a 115-102 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Chenier is one of nine players in Washington Wizards history to record a 50-point game, and at 22 years and 37 days old he is the youngest to do so:
22-037 — Phil Chenier (Dec. 6, 1972)
23-084 — Earl Monroe (Feb. 13, 1968)
24-160 — Bradley Beal (Dec. 5, 2017)
24-345 — Gilbert Arenas (Dec. 17, 2006)
Chenier made 22 of his 31 shots from the field (71.0%). He’s the only player in franchise history to score at least 50 points with a field goal percentage of 70%. Chenier shares the franchise record for most field goals made in a game with Walt Bellamy (Dec. 17, 1963).
Huge Game for Pettit
On this day in 1961, the St. Louis Hawks' Bob Pettit scored 51 points and snagged 30 rebounds in a 137-132 win over the Philadelphia Warriors. He’s one of only three players in NBA history to record a 50-point, 30-rebound game. The others to do so are Wilt Chamberlain (30 times) and Elgin Baylor (Dec. 8, 1961).
Pettit attempted a franchise-record 43 shots from the field, making 22 of them. He also set franchise marks for most field goals attempted in a half (30) and a quarter (19).
SuperSonic Boom
On this day in 1986, the Seattle SuperSonics destroyed the Houston Rockets 136-80, tying the largest margin of victory in a road game in NBA history (postseason included).
The current record is held by the Denver Nuggets, who recorded a 58-point road win over the New Orleans Hornets in the 2009 NBA Playoffs (playoff games are marked with an asterisk):
58* — DEN vs. NOH (April 27, 2009)
57 — IND vs. OKC (May 1, 2021)
56* — LAL vs. GSW (April 21, 1973)
56 — SEA vs. HOU (Dec. 6, 1986)
56 — BOS vs. CHI (Dec. 8, 2018)
The Thunder have been on the wrong end of the largest regular season home blowout (57 points, see above) and road blowout (73 points on Dec. 2, 2021) in NBA history.