On This Day (Nov. 28)
On This Day (Nov. 28)
Notable events from NBA history that occurred on November 28.
Oldest with Triple-Double
On this day in 2003, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Karl Malone had 10 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 103-87 win over the San Antonio Spurs. The 40-year-old Malone became the oldest player in NBA history to record a triple double, a distinction he still holds (age in years-days):
40-127 — Karl Malone (Nov. 28, 2003)
38-224 — Tim Duncan (Dec. 5, 2014)
38-148 — Elvin Hayes (April 13, 1984)
37-343 — Jason Kidd (March 1, 2011)
37-282 — Kidd (Dec. 30, 2010)
Malone’s 10 assists matched his career high. He, John Stockton, and Steve Nash are the only players in NBA history to record a 10-assist game after turning 40 years old.
Youngest with Triple-Double
On this day in 1975, Phoenix Suns rookie Alvan Adams had 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 110-100 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. At the time, the 21-year-old Adams was the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.
Adams is still the youngest player in franchise history to do so. In fact, he’s the only player in franchise history to record a triple-double before his 23rd birthday (eight times).
Curry Fastest to 100
On this day in 2021, the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry scored 33 points in a 105-90 win over the L.A. Clippers. Curry shot 7-13 from 3-point range, surpassing 100 3-pointers made for the season. He reached that mark in just 19 games, the fastest player in NBA history to do so:
19 — Stephen Curry, 2021-22
20 — Curry, 2015-16
20 — Curry, 2018-19
21 — James Harden, 2019-20
22 — Curry, 2020-21
With 98 3-pointers made through 19 games this season, Curry is poised to add another entry to the list above.
Franchise Record for Miller
On this day in 1992, the Indiana Pacers’ Reggie Miller scored a career-high and franchise-record 57 points in a 134-122 win over the Charlotte Hornets. He shot 16-29 from the field — including 4-11 from 3-point range — and made 21 of his 23 free throws.
Miller also contributed eight assists and five rebounds. At the time, he was just the 10th player in NBA history to record at least 55 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a game (a total of 24 instances).
Uncommon Triple-Double
On this day in 1988, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Magic Johnson tallied 32 points, 20 assists, and 11 rebounds in a 109-104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. He’s one of only four player in NBA history to record at least 30 points, 20 assists, and 10 rebounds in a game:
Oscar Robertson (Dec. 11, 1961)
Magic Johnson (Nov. 28, 1988)
Russell Westbrook (March 29, 2021)
Luka Doncic (May 1, 2021)
This was one of 22 career games in which Johnson dished out at least 20 assists. Only John Stockton (34) recorded more such games.
Jordan Starts Streak
On this day in 1986, the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan scored 41 points in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. It was the first of nine straight 40-point games for Jordan, the longest such streak of his career and tied for the fourth-longest such streak in NBA history:
14 — Wilt Chamberlain, 1961-62
14 — Chamberlain, 1961-62
10 — Chamberlain, 1962-63
9 — Michael Jordan, 1986-87
9 — Kobe Bryant, 2002-03
Jordan shot just 19-43 from the field. His 43 attempts are tied for the second-highest single-game total of his career, and his 24 misses are tied for the four-highest single-game total of his career.
Baylor Does it All
On this day in 1960, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Elgin Baylor had one of the most well-rounded games of his career in a 137-112 win over the Philadelphia Warriors:
42 PTS
23 REB
8 AST
16-23 FG
10-12 FT
Baylor averaged a ridiculous 34.8 PPG, 19.8 RPG, and 5.1 APG that season. He’s one of only three players in NBA history to average at least 30 PPG, 15 RPG, and 5 APG in a season (a total of four instances):
Elgin Baylor, 1960-61
Wilt Chamberlain, 1963-64
Chamberlain, 1965-66
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, 1972-73