Fred VanVleet: A closer look at the historic performance of the Toronto Raptors' star guard

Kyle Irving

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Fred VanVleet: A closer look at the historic performance of the Toronto Raptors' star guard image

Fred VanVleet has etched his name in Toronto Raptors history.

It was an incredible performance for the star guard in the Raptors win over the Orlando Magic, one that will not be forgotten any time soon.

Going off for 54 points, VanVleet set a new franchise record for most points in a game, surpassing DeMar DeRozan's record (52 points) set back in 2018. Shooting 11-for-14 from 3-point range to go with three rebounds, three steals, three blocks and two assists, VanVleet put on a show that deserves a closer look.

54 points: A franchise record and the most by an undrafted player in NBA history

Fred VanVleet went for 54 points while shooting an uber-efficient 17-for-23 (73.9%) from the field, 11-for-14 (78.6%) from 3-point land and a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line.

VanVleet-shot-chart

He became the fourth Raptor in franchise history to eclipse the 50-point mark, joining DeMar DeRozan (52 points in 2018), Vince Carter (51 points in 2000) and Terrence Ross (51 points in 2014), who was on the floor for the Magic during this performance.

And although setting the Raptors franchise record for most points in a game is an amazing feat to achieve, VanVleet continues to make history as an undrafted player.

His 54 points surpassed Moses Malone (53 points in 1982) for the most by an undrafted player in a single game in NBA history. On the heels of signing the largest contract by an undrafted player in league history this offseason, VanVleet continues to blaze his own path after being passed on back in the 2016 NBA Draft.

11 3-pointers: The most by a player in a game this season

VanVleet did the majority of his damage from long range, knocking down a career-best 11 3-pointers.

"I knew after my first shot went in," VanVleet told the media in response to when he knew it was going to be a good game. "Once I hit the fifth one ... I knew it was going to be a big night for me."

VanVleet hit five 3-pointers in the first quarter, only missing one attempt from beyond the arc in the frame. He tied his career-high of eight 3s by halftime, indicating that he had the hot hand. The halftime break couldn't cool him off, going 3-for-4 from 3-point land in the third frame as he pursued another record in the Raptors franchise record book.

His 11 3s are the most by a player in a game this season, passing Terry Rozier and Zach LaVine (10). He fell just one 3-pointer shy of tying Donyell Marshall's franchise record (12) and three 3-pointers shy of matching Klay Thompson's all-time NBA record (14).

Despite falling short of those records, VanVleet's 11 3s places himself alongside an impressive list of shooters in a tie for the seventh-most made 3s in a game in NBA history.

Miscellaneous accomplishments

• According to StatMuse, VanVleet is the first player to put up 45-plus points and 10-plus 3s on 70%-or-better shooting from the field and 3-point range in NBA history. Very specific, but very impressive nonetheless.

• According to Basketball-Reference's Justin Kubatko, VanVleet's 100.1% true shooting is the highest true shooting percentage in a 50-point game by any player in NBA history.

• According to sports TV producer Chris Black, VanVleet joins Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Dirk Nowitzki and Anthony Davis as the only players since 1983-84 to have 50-plus points, three blocks and three steals in a game.

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Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.