On This Day (Nov. 21)
Notable events from NBA history that occurred on November 21.
Big Mo Down Low
On this day in 1990, the Atlanta Hawks’ Moses Malone scored 22 points in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming the seventh player in NBA history to reach 25,000 career points (there are now 23 players in this group).
Later that season, Malone became the fifth player in NBA history to reach 15,000 career rebounds (there are now six such players). He’s currently one of only five players to reach both milestones.
The durable and consistent Malone had 11 seasons in which he averaged at least 20 PPG and 10 RPG in 70 games played. That ties him with Wilt Chamberlain for the most such seasons in NBA history. Malone recorded those 11 seasons consecutively, the longest such streak in NBA history.
Truckin’
On this day in 1978, Truck Robinson scored a career-high 51 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the New Orleans Jazz to a 140-118 win over the New Jersey Nets. Robinson is one of only two player in franchise history to record a 50-point, 15-rebound game (Karl Malone, twice).
Robinson made 20 of his 26 shots from the field (76.9%). Only three players in NBA history have recorded a higher field goal percentage in a 50-point, 15-rebound game (a total of seven instances):
Wilt Chamberlain (four times)
Karl Malone (two times)
Kevin McHale
Vinsane Milestone
On this day in 2018, the Atlanta Hawks’ Vince Carter scored 14 points in a loss to the Toronto Raptors, becoming the 22nd player in NBA history to reach 25,000 career points (there are now 23 such players).
Carter is one of only four players in NBA history to score at least 25,000 points with 2,000 3-pointers made:
Reggie Miller
Paul Pierce
Vince Carter
LeBron James
Carter’s 22 seasons played are the most in NBA history, and he’s the only player to appear in at least one game in four different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s).
Unique Triple-Double for Giannis
On this day in 2019, Giannis Antetokounmpo produced 24 points, 19 rebounds, 15 assists, and three steals as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Portland Trail Blazers 137-129.
Antetokounmpo is the only player in franchise history to record at least 15 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists in a game. He currently has 30 career triple-doubles, 22 more than any other player in franchise history.
10 Assists, 0 Turnovers
On this day in 2021, the Phoenix Suns’ Chris Paul dished out 10 assists and did not commit a turnover in a 126-97 win over the Denver Nuggets. It was the 47th time Paul recorded at least 10 assists in a game without committing an error, breaking a tie with Muggsy Bogues for the most such games since the NBA started tracking individual turnovers in 1977-78.
Paul has recorded five more such games since, pushing his career total to 52. The closest active player trails Paul by a whopping 39 games:
52 — Chris Paul
13 — Mike Conley
11 — Kyle Lowry
10 — LeBron James
2,000 Threes for LeBron
On this day in 2021, the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James became the ninth player in NBA history to reach 2,000 career 3-pointers made (there are now 12 players in this group). Just moments after his milestone 3-pointer in the third quarter, James was ejected from the game for elbowing the Detroit Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart in the face.
With a listed height of 6-feet-9-inches and a listed weight of 250 pounds, James is both the tallest (by two inches) and heaviest (by 15 pounds) player to reach 2,000 career 3-pointers made.
James is the only player in NBA history to reach career totals of 30,000 points and 2,000 3-pointers made. He’s also the only player to record at least 2,000 3-pointers made and 2,000 steals.
Earl Monroe’s Birthday
On this day in 1944, Hall of Famer Earl Monroe was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A four-time All-Star, one-time champion, and member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team, Monroe averaged 18.8 PPG and 3.9 APG in 926 career games.
Monroe scored his career high of 56 points as a rookie. Only two rookies in NBA history have scored more points in a game: Wilt Chamberlain (58, twice) and Rick Barry (57).
Monroe is one of nine players in NBA history to reach totals of 5,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, and 1,000 assists through his first three seasons.