On This Day (Nov. 25)
Notable events from NBA history that occurred on November 25.
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Howell-Baylor Duel
On this day in 1960, the Detroit Pistons’ Bailey Howell scored a career-high 43 points and grabbed 30 rebounds in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. He’s one of only six players in NBA history to record a 40-point, 30-rebound game:
Wilt Chamberlain (66 times)
Elgin Baylor (two times)
George Mikan
Bailey Howell
Bob Pettit
Elvin Hayes
The Lakers’ Elgin Baylor had 51 points and 24 rebounds in the win. This is one of 10 games in NBA history in which opposing players each recorded at least 40 points and 20 rebounds, and one of only two that did not involve Wilt Chamberlain.
Cousy Reaches Milestone
On this day in 1961, the Boston Celtics’ Bob Cousy scored 22 points in a 116-96 win over the New York Knicks, becoming the second player in NBA history to reach 15,000 career points. He joined Dolph Schayes, who had reached the mark about 13 months prior (Oct. 22, 1960).
At the time, Cousy was also the NBA's all-time leader in assists, more than 1,500 assists ahead of the next-closest player (Dick McGuire).
Uncanny Accuracy for Wilt
On this day in 1966, the Philadelphia 76ers’ Wilt Chamberlain scored 41 points on 16-17 shooting from the field in a 129-115 win over the Baltimore Bullets. It’s tied for the second-highest field goal percentage in NBA history in a 40-point game:
100% — Wilt Chamberlain, 18-18 (Feb. 24, 1967)
94.1% — Chamberlain, 16-17 (Nov. 25, 1966)
94.1% — Scottie Pippen, 16-17 (Feb. 23, 1991)
93.3% — Cedric Ceballos, 14-15 (March 9, 1993)
93.3% — George Gervin, 14-15 (Jan. 23, 1977)
Chamberlain is the only player in NBA history to record multiple 40-point games in which he shot at least 90% from the field.
Dantley Free-For-All
On this day in 1983, the Utah Jazz’s Adrian Dantley had 47 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in a 126-124 win over the Denver Nuggets. He set franchise single-game records for free throws made (27) and attempted (31).
Just 40 days later, Dantley broke his franchise record and tied the NBA record by making 28 free throws versus the Houston Rockets. He still holds a share of the record today.
Dantley made at least 25 free throws in a game three times, just one fewer than all other players in NBA history combined. No other player has recorded more than one such game.
Rare Feat for Giannis
On this day in 2019, the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo tallied 50 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and zero turnovers in a 122-118 win over the Utah Jazz. He’s one of only four players in NBA history to record multiple games with at least 50 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists before his 25th birthday:
4 — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
2 — Rick Barry
2 — Bob McAdoo
2 — Giannis Antetokounmpo
Since the NBA began tracking individual turnovers in 1977-78, Antetokounmpo and Michael Jordan (Nov. 3, 1989) are the only players to record at least 50 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in a game without committing a turnover.
Hield Sets Franchise Marks
On this day in 2019, the Sacramento Kings’ Buddy Hield set franchise single-game records for 3-pointers made (11) and attempted (21) in a loss to the Boston Celtics. He scored 41 points, the first 40-point game of his career.
Hield tied the NBA mark for most 3-pointers made in a loss. He still owns a share of the record with Stephen Curry (four times) and Marcus Smart.