On This Day (Nov. 29)
On This Day (Nov. 29)
Notable events from NBA history that occurred on November 29.
Stockton Streaking
On this day in 1989, the Utah Jazz’s John Stockton dished out 11 assists in a loss to the Indiana Pacers. It was his last of 37 consecutive 10-assist games, tied with Rajon Rondo for the second-longest such streak in NBA history. The record of 46 such games in a row is held by Magic Johnson.
Stockton also scored at least 10 points in each of those games, the longest streak of 10-point, 10-assist games in NBA history.
Stockton holds the NBA records for most 10-assist games (863, 277 more than the next-closest player) and most 10-point, 10-assist games (714, 171 more than the next-closest player).
Milestone Double-Double
On this day in 1962, the San Francisco Warriors’ Wilt Chamberlain scored 53 points and grabbed 34 rebounds in a loss to the St. Louis Hawks. It was Chamberlain’s 250th career double-double in just his 251st game.
The only time he failed to record a double-double in that span came on Feb. 10, 1960 versus the New York Knicks. Chamberlain took an elbow to the mouth with three minutes remaining in the first quarter and did not return to the game. He had recorded five points and two rebounds when he departed.
This was the 194th consecutive game in which Chamberlain recorded a double-double. His streak eventually reached 220 games, the second-longest such streak in NBA history. Chamberlain also owns the longest such streak in NBA history (of course) at 227 games.
Duhon’s Franchise Record
On this day in 2008, the New York Knicks’ Chris Duhon set a franchise single-game record with 22 assists in a 138-125 win over the Golden State Warriors. His previous career high was 15 assists. Duhon never had more than 14 assists in any other game after his record-setting effort.
The Knicks’ David Lee had 37 points and 21 rebounds, while frontcourt mate Al Harrington produced 36 points and 12 rebounds. It’s the only time in franchise history two players have each recorded at least 35 points and 10 rebounds in the same game.
Big Game for Ewing
On this day in 1989, the New York Knicks’ Patrick Ewing tallied 44 points, 24 rebounds, and three blocks in a 129-111 win over the Golden State Warriors. This was one of 30 career 40-point games for Ewing, the most such games in franchise history.
Just 39 days later, Ewing put up 44 points and 22 rebounds in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers. No Knick has recorded a 40-point, 20 rebound game since. Ewing is one of only eight players since the ABA-NBA merger to record multiple 40-point, 20-rebound games.
Rare Feat for Sabonis
On this day in 2021, the Indiana Pacers’ Domantas Sabonis had 16 points, 25 rebounds, and 10 assists in a loss to the Timberwolves. Sabonis is one of only two players over the last 50 NBA seasons to record at least 25 rebounds and 10 assists in a game. The other is Maurice Lucas, who posted 26 rebounds and 10 assists on Feb. 24, 1980.
Sabonis recorded another 20-rebound, 10-assist game later that season. He’s one of only three players since the ABA-NBA merger to record multiple such games in a season:
DeMarcus Cousins, 2014-15
Russell Westbrook, 2020-21
Domantas Sabonis, 2021-22
All three players recorded two such games.
Bridges Gets Boards
On this day in 1969, the Atlanta Hawks’ Bill Bridges had 19 points, 28 rebounds, and 11 assists in a 128-111 victory over the Cincinnati Royals. It’s the most rebounds ever recorded in a triple-double by a Hawk.
Only four players in NBA history have recorded more rebounds in a triple-double: Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Maurice Stokes, and Wes Unseld.
Julius Randle’s Birthday
On this day in 1994, Julius Randle was born in Dallas Texas. A one-time All-Star and winner of the 2021 Most Improved Player Award, Randle has career averages of 17.8 PPG and 9.3 RPG in 538 games.
Randle (2020-21) and Larry Bird (1984-85) are the only players in NBA history to average at least 20 PPG, 10 RPG, and 5 APG in a season with 40% shooting from 3-point range.