On Dec. 11, 2016, Chris Paul had a game for the history books.
In a 133-105 win over his former team, Paul finished with a double-double of 20 points and 20 assists. Not only was it the first 20-20 game of his career, it was enough to make and break franchise and NBA records.
The game made Paul the only player in LA Clippers franchise history with a 20-point, 20-assist game. He also became the first player since 1977-78, when turnovers began being recorded, to finish a game with a 20-20 double-double and zero turnovers.
“Visually, it looked beautiful,” Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said. “I can tell you that.”
In just 30 minutes of play, CP3 also recorded five rebounds and three steals. He did most of his damage in the third quarter when the Clippers outscored the New Orlean Pelicans 37-25. In that quarter, he dished out 10 of the team's 11 assists and was responsible for 13 of the team's 15 made field goals.
"He didn't have any turnovers?" teammate DeAndre Jordan said. "He is a legend, man."
Courtesy of the team's ball movement and fluent offence, as many as seven Clippers finished in double figures in a game where Blake Griffin was resting.
“Assists, I have the easy part of passing the ball,” Paul said. “Guys have to make the shots.”
Other notable events on Dec. 11
- In 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went off for a career-high 55 points in Milwaukee’s 120-104 victory over Boston. It was one of 10 career 50-point games for Abdul-Jabbar, all coming with the Bucks.
- In 1986, Dominique Wilkins exploded for a career-high 57 points on 19-for-28 shooting from the field in Atlanta's comfortable 123-95 win over the Chicago Bulls.
- In 1995, James Worthy became the sixth Lakers player ever to have his jersey retired when the franchise raised his No. 42 to the rafters.
- In 2005, LeBron James recorded his second career 50-point game. He scored 52 points in a 111-106 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks.
- In 2008, Carmelo Anthony tied the then-NBA record for most points scored in a quarter with 33, previously held by George Gervin.
Recent game-winning buzzer-beater on Dec. 11
Bradley Beal vs. Orlando Magic in 2014
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