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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
