On This Day (Feb. 12)

Notable events from NBA history that occurred on February 12.

Feb 12, 2023

∙ Paid

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.

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to Statitudes to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.