Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
On this day in 1985, Chicago Bulls rookie Michael Jordan compiled 49 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and four steals in a 139-126 overtime win over the Detroit Pistons. This was Jordan’s first game following the purported All-Star freeze-out led by the Pistons’ Isiah Thomas.
Jordan is one of only three rookies in NBA history to record at least 45 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists in a game:
Walt Bellamy
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Michael Jordan
Jordan made 19 of his 31 shots from the field (61.3%) and 11 of his 13 free throws (84.6%). This was one of four games that season in which Jordan scored at least 45 points on 60% shooting from the field, the most such games in NBA history by a rookie.
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