How rare is a 5x5? Blazers centre Jusuf Nurkic joins exclusive club with a game for the ages

Leandro Fernández

How rare is a 5x5? Blazers centre Jusuf Nurkic joins exclusive club with a game for the ages image

Jusuf Nurkic was one of the big names on the first night of NBA action in 2019, with a fantastic performance that will go down in the record books.

In leading the Portland Trail Blazers to a win over the Sacramento Kings with 24 points, 23 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks, Nurkic recorded an incredibly rare 5x5.

To get an idea of just how rare 5x5s are, let's take a look at every other one in the past 35 years.

Anthony Davis - Once

Anthony Davis

The New Orleans Pelicans star was the last person to post a 5x5 before Nurkic, doing so this season. 

On Nov. 21 against the Philadelphia 76ers, AD recorded 12 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks in 41 minutes. 

Unfortunately for Davis, it was not enough for a victory, as the 76ers won 121-120.

Draymond Green - Once

Draymond Green

Davis' 5x5 came almost three years after this one from Green. In a double overtime win over the Boston Celtics on Dec. 11, 2015, Green contributed 24 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks in 50 minutes.

Green was very close to another 5x5 in 2017, as he finished with 4 points, 11 boards, 10 assists, 10 steals and 5 blocks in a 15-point win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Nicolas Batum - Once

Nicolas Batum

Another player on the Trail Blazers.

Batum did it on Dec. 16, 2012, when he totaled 11 points, 5 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks in a 95-94 win over the New Orleans Hornets.

Andrei Kirilenko - 3 times

Andrei Kirilenko

The Russian was a specialist in doing everything.

The first two 5x5s he posted in his career came within a week of each other. First, 19 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 8 steals and 5 blocks in 46 minutes in a close loss to Houston Rockets. Then, 10 points, 12 boards, 6 assists, 6 steals and 5 blocks in a blowout win over the New York Knicks.

The third came on Jan. 3, 2006, when he finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists, 6 steals and 7 blocks in a 10-point win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Marcus Camby - Once

Marcus Camby

The Denver Nuggets centre added his name to the list on Jan. 9, 2004, when he finished with 8 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals and 8 blocks in a home win against the Utah Jazz.

Jamal Tinsley - Once

Jamal Tinsley

The only guard on this list. 

On Nov. 16, 2001, Tinsley finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 15 assists, 6 steals and 5 blocks in a 120-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Vlade Divac - Once

Vlade Divac

The Balkan legend achieved it on Feb. 22, 1995, playing for the Lakers.

During a 112-100 victory over the 76ers, Divac totaled 19 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks.

Derrick Coleman - Once

Derrick Coleman

On Jan. 15, 1993, Coleman led the New Jersey Nets to a win over the 76ers with 21 points, 10 boards, 7 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks.

David Robinson - Once

David Robinson

The Admiral joined this list on Nov. 10, 1992, contributing 29 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals and 10 blocks in the San Antonio Spurs' 104-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

Hakeem Olajuwon - 6 times

Hakeem Olajuwon

Olajuwon was clearly a specialist in the field. Here's what he posted in those six games:

  • 38 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, 7 steals and 12 blocks in a 136-127 loss to Seattle (10/3/1987).
  • 29 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 steals and 11 blocks in a 129-109 victory against Golden State (3/3/1990).
  • 19 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks in a 99-92 loss to Dallas (11/4/1992).
  • 33 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks in a 112-110 victory against Minnesota (4/22/1993).
  • 24 points, 19 rebounds, 6 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks in a 110-88 victory against New Jersey (11/5/1993).
  • 34 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals and 8 blocks in a 110-104 victory against Minnesota (12/30/1993).

With how rare 5x5s are, it's hard to believe anyone will ever catch up with Olajuwon.

Leandro Fernández

Leandro Fernández Photo

Editor en Jefe de las ediciones en español de The Sporting News. 15 años de experiencia en el mundo del periodismo deportivo, con pasos previos por Clarín, Olé, e incluyendo más de 3 años construyendo y desarrollando los sitios oficiales de NBA.com en Argentina, España y México. Ahora parte de TSN. Si existe un Fantasy de NBA, seguramente él lo ganó.