Breaking down an unreal week of individual performances in the NBA
A mix of veteran All-Stars still performing at the top of their respective games and the emergence of the next generation of talents has made for a remarkable 2022-23 NBA season to date.
The last week of action has exemplified that. Here's a look at a seven-day span of unbelievable individual displays in the Association:
Tuesday, Dec. 27
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic became the first player in NBA history to record a 60/20/10 triple-double. The MVP candidate posted 60 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 126-121 win over the New York Knicks.
In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid posted 48 points and 10 boards in a defeat to the Washington Wizards, while Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook tied the NBA record for triple-doubles off the bench (three - Detlef Schrempf) with a 15/13/13 display in 29 minutes on the road against the Orlando Magic.
Wednesday, Dec. 28
Wednesday was all about one-point victories. Milwaukee Bucks icon Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 45 points, 22 rebounds, and seven assists in a one-point loss to the Chicago Bulls. DeMar DeRozan had 42 points and 10 dimes in a winning cause.
Elsewhere, two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokic had 40/7/6 in a one-point defeat to the Sacramento Kings, which were bolstered by a modest 31-point, 13-assist performance from De'Aaron Fox. New Orleans Pelicans stud Zion Williamson also recorded 43 points on 14-of-21 shooting in a 119-118 home win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Not to be outdone, Brooklyn Nets sharpshooter Kevin Durant had 26 points, 16 boards, and eight helpers in a one-point victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
Thursday, Dec. 29
Everything really is bigger in Texas, including the individual displays. Doncic was back to business with a 35/12/13 triple-double in a win over the Houston Rockets, Dallas' fifth straight victory at the time.
In San Antonio, mercurial New York Knicks forward Julius Randle registered a whopping 41 points to pair with 11 rebounds and seven assists in a 122-115 loss to the Spurs.
Friday, Dec. 30
This list wouldn't be complete without a contribution from LeBron James. The Lakers veteran obliged - and on his 38th birthday, no less - with a season-high 47 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists in a 130-121 road win against the Hawks.
Four other players also registered 40-point performances on Friday. Giannis had 43 and 20 against the T-Wolves, while Zach LaVine (43 points), CJ McCollum (42), and Jordan Poole (41) followed suit.
Saturday, Dec. 31
Doncic continued an unprecedented rich vein of form with 51 points in a 126-125 win over the Spurs, capping off an absurd stretch where the Slovenian became the first player in NBA history with 250 points, 50 rebounds, and 50 assists over a five-game span.
Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George had 45 points and nine rebounds in a one-point defeat to the Indiana Pacers, and Embiid logged an unlikely 16/13/10 line for a fifth career triple-double versus the Thunder.
Sunday, Jan. 1
New year, same recent trend of unbelievable solo displays.
On a day where the NBA schedule featured just three contests, Jokic had 30 points, 12 boards, and 12 assists on 10-of-13 shooting as the Nuggets snatched a 123-111 win against the Boston Celtics in a battle of the two conference leaders.
Monday, Jan. 2
Monday was a doozy. For starters, Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell's 71-point showing versus the Bulls amounted to the highest output since Kobe Bryant's 81 in 2006, and his 11 assists made him the first-ever member of the 70/10 club. DeRozan had 44 points for the Bulls in defeat.
In Charlotte, LeBron scored 43 points to pull within 500 of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's NBA record for career scoring. He also had 11 boards and six assists in the win over the Hornets.
Embiid continued a torrid stretch with 42 points and 11 rebounds in a win over the Pelicans, while Doncic posted 39/12/8 in another win over the Rockets.
Klay Thompson turned back the clock to pre-injury days with a stunning 54-point display highlighted by 10 made threes in a nail-biting win over the Hawks.
Tuesday, Jan. 3
Capping off a remarkable seven-day stretch of solo showings, Giannis posted a career-high 55 points to go with 10 boards and seven assists in a 123-113 win over the Wizards.
Giannis joined Flynn Robinson (1969) and Abdul-Jabbar (1972) as the only players in Bucks history with three straight 40-point games. The Greek Freak is now just the second player in league history to average 45-plus PPG, 15-plus RPG, and five-plus APG over a three-game span, joining Wilt Chamberlain.