On This Day (Nov. 10)
On This Day (Nov. 10)
Notable events from NBA history that occurred on November 10.
First of its Kind
On this day in 1961, the Cincinnati Royals' Oscar Robertson tallied 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 16 assists in a 122-117 win over the Chicago Packers (now known as the Washington Wizards).
Robertson became the first player in NBA history to record at least 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in a game. It's only happened twice more since:
Oscar Robertson (Feb. 13, 1962) — 42 PTS, 15 REB, 18 AST
James Harden (Dec. 31, 2016) — 53 PTS, 16 REB, 17 AST
This was one of 22 career 40-point triple-doubles for Robertson, the most such games in NBA history. James Harden is second with 16.
Hudson Sets Franchise Mark
On this day in 1969, the Atlanta Hawks’ Lou Hudson recorded 57 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in a 133-132 victory over the Chicago Bulls. Strangely enough, the game was played in Auburn, Alabama.
Hudson’s 57 points tied Bob Pettit's franchise single-game scoring record. The mark has been matched two more times since then — both by Dominique Wilkins — but never broken.
The only opposing player to score more points in a game against the Bulls is Wilt Chamberlain, who poured in 68 points on Dec. 16, 1967.
Bird Soars
On this day in 1989, the Boston Celtics’ Larry Bird tallied 50 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists in a 117-106 win over the Hawks.
At 32 years and 338 days old, Bird became the oldest player in NBA history to record at least 50 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a game, a distinction he still holds. It was the second time Bird had reached those marks in a game. He’s the only player in franchise history to record multiple such games.
This was the fourth and final 50-point game of Bird’s career. He’s tied with Jayson Tatum for the most such games in franchise history.
Hot Suns
On this day in 1990, the Phoenix Suns routed the Denver Nuggets 173-143, tying the NBA record for most points scored in a regulation game. The Boston Celtics also scored 173 points in a non-overtime game on Feb. 27, 1959 versus the Lakers.
The Suns scorched the Nuggets for 107 points in the first half. They are the only team in NBA history to reach the century mark in one half (first or second). The Suns scored 57 of those points in the second quarter, tied for the second-highest scoring quarter in NBA history. They also became the first team in NBA history to score at least 50 points in two quarters in the same game (they had 50 in the first quarter).
The two teams combined for 174 first-half points, the most in one half (first or second) in NBA history. The previous record of 173 points had been set just three days earlier when the Nuggets led the San Antonio Spurs 90-83 halftime. The Nuggets would go on to lose that game by a score of 161-153.