On This Day (Nov. 18)
Notable events from NBA history that occurred on November 18.
“Tiny” Accomplishment
On this day in 1972, the Kansas City-Omaha Kings' Nate “Tiny” Archibald had 51 points and 14 assists in a 127-117 win over the Houston Rockets. Archibald made 17 of his 34 shots from field and missed just one of his 18 free throw attempts.
It was the third straight game in which Archibald produced at least 40 points and 10 assists. He and Michael Jordan (1988-89) are the only players in NBA history to record three such game in a row.
It was also the third straight game in which Archibald made at least 15 field goals and assisted on 10 more. No other player in NBA history has recorded three such games in a row.
Archibald went on to lead the NBA in both points and assists that season. He’s the only player in NBA history to accomplish that feat.
Luka Joins LeBron
On this day in 2019, the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic recorded the first 40-point triple-double of his career, tallying 42 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists in a 117-110 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
At 20 years and 263 days old, Doncic joined LeBron James as the only players in NBA history to record a 40-point triple double before turning 21 years old. He would record his second 40-point triple-double less than one month later, becoming the only player in NBA history to record two such games before his 21st birthday.
2020 NBA Draft
On this day in 2020, the NBA Draft was held in Bristol, Connecticut. Delayed from the originally scheduled date of June 25 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the draft was held via videoconference from ESPN’s studios.
The top five selections were:
Anthony Edwards — Minnesota Timberwolves
James Wiseman — Golden State Warriors
LaMelo Ball — Charlotte Hornets
Patrick Williams — Chicago Bulls
Isaac Okoro — Cleveland Cavaliers
Ball would go on to be named the 2020-21 NBA Rookie of the Year. Thus far, he’s the only player from this draft class to be selected to an All-Star Game (2022).
Steph Cookin’
On this day in 2021, Stephen Curry scored 40 points — including nine 3-pointers — to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 104-89 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It was the 10th time in a 33-game span dating back to the 2020-21 season that Curry made at least nine 3-pointers in game. No other player in NBA history has recorded 10 such games in their entire CAREER.
It was the fifth time in Curry’s career he made at least nine 3-pointers in consecutive games. The only other player in NBA history to make at least nine 3-pointers in back-to-back games is James Harden, who did so twice. No one has made at least nine 3-pointers in three consecutive games.
Sam Cassell’s Birthday
On this day in 1969, Sam Cassell was born in Baltimore, Maryland. A one-time All-Star and three-time NBA champion, Cassell averaged 15.7 PPG and 6.0 APG in 993 career games.
Cassell played in five conference finals for four different franchises. No player has appeared in the conference finals with more franchises:
4 — Sam Cassell
4 — Mike Dunleavy
4 — Maurice Lucas
4 — Sam Perkins
4 — Kurth Thomas
Cassell is one of only four players in NBA history to play at least five seasons and win a championship in both his first and last seasons:
Sam Cassell (15 seasons)
Bill Russell (13)
Clyde Lovellette (11)
Tom Heinsohn (9)