Scoring Milestone for Pettit
On this day in 1964, the St. Louis Hawks’ Bob Pettit scored 29 points in a loss to the Cincinnati Royals, becoming the first player in NBA history to reach 20,000 career points.
One of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, Pettit averaged at least 20 PPG and 12 RPG in each of his 11 seasons. He was an All-NBA First Team selection in each of his last 10 seasons. The only players with more consecutive All-NBA First Team selections are Karl Malone and LeBron James, both with 11.
Career High for Big E
On this day in 1968, San Diego Rockets rookie Elvin Hayes scored a career-high 54 points and grabbed 22 rebounds in a 122-120 win over the Detroit Pistons. It was just the 13th game of his NBA career.
Only two players in NBA history have recorded a 50-point game at an earlier point in their career: Brandon Jennings (seventh game) and Wilt Chamberlain (eighth game). Hayes and Chamberlain are the only rookies in NBA history to record at least 50 points and 20 rebounds in a game.
Among the 23 players in NBA history to reach 25,000 career points, Hayes is the only one to record his career high in scoring as a rookie.
50 Triple-Doubles for Magic
On this day in 1983, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Magic Johnson recorded 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 16 assists while shooting 13-17 (76.5%) from the field in a 124-118 win over the Utah Jazz.
Johnson became the third player in NBA history to reach 50 career triple-doubles, joining Oscar Robertson and Wilt Chamberlain. His 138 career triple-doubles currently rank third on the NBA’s all-time list:
194 — Russell Westbrook
181 — Oscar Robertson
138 — Magic Johnson
107 — Jason Kidd
Johnson’s 30 postseason triple-doubles rank first in NBA history:
30 — Magic Johnson
28 — LeBron James
12 — Russell Westbrook
11 — Jason Kidd
No Fear for the Deer
On this day in 1974, the Detroit Pistons’ Bob Lanier tallied 40 points, 24 rebounds, and six blocks in a 98-91 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Since the NBA began tracking blocks in 1973-74, Lanier is the only Piston to record at least 40 points, 20 rebounds, and five blocks in a game (he did so twice). Lanier is also the only opposing player to reach those marks in a game against the Bucks.
Jordan’s Record Streak
On this day in 1990, the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan scored 29 points in an 84-82 win over the Utah Jazz. Why is that noteworthy? It was the last of 271 consecutive regular-season games in which Jordan scored at least 15 points, the longest such streak in NBA history by 34 games:
271 — Michael Jordan
237 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
224 — Bob McAdoo
220 — Wilt Chamberlain
167 — Oscar Robertson
With the postseason included, Jordan’s streak was 317 games, also the longest in NBA history:
317 — Michael Jordan
272 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
237 — Bob McAdoo
223 — Wilt Chamberlain
193 — Oscar Robertson
Alonzo Mourning’s Debut
On this day in 1992, Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning made his NBA debut with the Charlotte Hornets, scoring 12 points in a loss to the Pacers. Mourning scored in double figures in each of his first 22 games, the longest such streak to start a career in franchise history.
Mourning would go on to average 21.0 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 3.5 BPG in his inaugural campaign. Since the NBA began tracking blocks in 1973-74, he’s one of only three rookies to average at least 20 PPG, 10 RPG, and 3 BPG. The others are David Robinson (1989-90) and Shaquille O'Neal (1992-93).
Metta Sandiford-Artest’s Birthday
Happy 43rd birthday to Metta Sandiford-Artest, aka Metta World Peace, aka Ron Artest. A one-time All-Star, four-time All-Defensive selection, and the 2003-04 Defensive Player of the Year, he averaged 13.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and 1.7 SPG in 991 career games.
Sandiford-Artest is one of only seven players in NBA history to reach career totals of 500 blocks, 1,000 3-pointers made, and 1,500 steals:
Kobe Bryant (644 / 1,827 / 1,944)
Vince Carter (888 / 2,290 / 1,530)
Andre Iguodala (630 / 1,080 / 1,761)
LeBron James (1,048 / 2,157 / 2,147)
Eddie Jones (580 / 1,546 / 1,620)
Paul Pierce (745 / 2,143 / 1,752)
Metta Sandiford-Artest (522 / 1,154 / 1,721)