Top 10 highlights of the NBA in 2022: Dongqi is unprecedented, and Downes won’t regret being ranked third
When the page of 2022 is about to close, it is time to review some of the top individual performances in this natural year. We have two days left in 2022 to prepare this list, so if a player plays 50+triple doubles on New Year’s Eve like James Harden in 2016, we may have to edit this list again.
Note: All eligible matches include the 2021-22 regular season (January April), the 2022 playoffs (April), the 2022 playoffs and the 2022-23 regular season (excluding the preseason).
Here are 22 individual performances that will stand out from 2022.
[Recorded in History]
Let’s take a look at three times of personal data that have never appeared in NBA history.
Luca Doncic: December 28, 2022, the lone ranger vs the knicks.
In 47 minutes, 60 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, 21 in 31 shots, 2 in 3 points, 16 in 22 free throws, plus or minus 7.
If these personal data are sorted according to their importance and staggering degree, Dongqi’s masterpiece will surely occupy the top place. These are the games you call your friends to watch.
In addition to becoming the first triple double player in NBA history to get 60 points+20 rebounds, Dongqi also led the Lone Rangers to complete the most unlikely reversal in history. They reversed the 9 point difference with 34 seconds left in the regular time, bringing the game to overtime.
In extra time, Luca led the team forward with his own strength, and his personal score (7 points) exceeded that of the Knicks team (6 points). He hit a free throw with 34 seconds left in the game, making his score reach 60 points, ending an unforgettable career night. Dongqi set a career high in scoring (60 points, record of the Lone Rangers) and rebounding (21). He became the first player to play 60+20 since Shaquille O’Neal in 2000. He also had 10 assists, the second 60+triple double in history, and the first 60+triple double with 20 rebounds.
Joel Enbid: November 14, 2022, 76 vs Jazz
37 minutes of play, 59 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 7 blocks, 1 steals, 19 in 28 shots, 1 in 5 three-point shots, 20 in 24 free throws, plus or minus+25.
The defending scoring champion (30.6 points per game in 2021-22 season) and the current leader of the scoring list (33.7 points per game in 2022-23 season) contributed to the best scoring performance of his career in the victory of Philadelphia against Utah on November 14: Enbid shot 19 of 28, and 20 of 24 at the penalty line, scoring 59 points.
What makes this data historic? In addition to 59 points, he also scored 11 rebounds and 8 assists, and equalled his career record with 7 blocked shots. He became the first player to get at least 50 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 blocks in NBA games (it must be pointed out that the data of steals and blocks were not officially counted by the NBA until the 1973-74 season).
Nikolay Jokic: March 7, 2022, Nuggets vs Pelicans
In 43 minutes, 46 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 assists, 4 blocks, 16 in 22 shots, 3 in 5 three-point shots, 11 in 12 free throws, plus or minus+22.
Jokic became the first player to cut 45 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks in the NBA. He led the Nuggets to a 138-130 victory over the Pelican in overtime. After the Nuggets wasted their 21 point lead in the first quarter, Jokic scored 30 of his 46 points in the last quarter and overtime. The Nuggets had a 22 point net victory over the Pelican in Jokic’s game, and a 14 point net loss in his 10 minutes of play.
[Score 60+]
In addition to Doncic’s masterpiece earlier this week, there will be two games in 2022 in which players can score 60+points in a single game, both of which are achieved back-to-back.
Carl Anthony Downes: March 15, 2022, Timberwolves vs Spurs
36 minutes after playing, 60 points, 17 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steals, 19 in 31 shots, 7 in 11 three-point shots, 15 in 16 free throws, plus or minus+16.
First of all, Downes became the first center to win a three-point contest at the All Star Weekend in Cleveland. Less than a month later, in the 149-138 victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the Timberwolves, Downes scored the highest 7 career three points, scored the highest 60 points in his career, and set a team history record.
Moreover, he not only scored, but also took 17 rebounds, becoming the first player to get at least 60 points and 17 rebounds in a single game since Shaquille O’Neal, who scored 61 points and 23 rebounds on March 7, 2000.
Kelly Owen: March 16, 2022, Nets vs Magic
35 minutes after playing, 60 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, 20 in 31 shots, 8 in 12 three-point shots, 12 in 13 free throws, plus or minus+36.
In his 19th game of the season, Owen shot wildly in the Magic game and scored 41 points in the first half – the highest score of a player in the first half since Kobe Bryant scored 42 points in the first half against Wizards on March 29, 2003. To sum up, Owen scored a new career high and 60 points in the history of the Nets in only 35 minutes, which is the fifth fastest score in 60+games since the 1983 – 84 season.
[Score 50+]
In 2022, there will be a total of 27 games in which players score 50+points: there will be 17 regular games in the 2021-22 season, 10 games in the 2022-23 season so far, and no playoffs or play offs; Eighteen different players have reached this threshold. Dongqi and Enbid have respectively contributed three 50+performances this year, which are in the leading position. Although we cannot include everyone on this list, the following are some outstanding examples.
Anthony Davis: December 12, 2022, Lakers vs Wizards
38 minutes after playing, 55 points, 17 rebounds, 1 assists, 3 blocks, 22 in 30 shots, 2 in 3 3-pointers, 9 in 9 free throws
On this night in Washington, D.C., the Wizards had nothing to do with Davis, who scored the first 50+in three years this year – he last scored 50+on behalf of the Lakers on December 9, 2019. Davis scored 55 points this game with amazing efficiency. His shooting percentage exceeded 73%. He made two three point shots, hit all nine free throws, and also had 17 rebounds and three blocks. But it is also such a game that his recent foot injury absence is very unfavorable to the team. Since his absence, the Lakers have been 2-5.
Devon Booker: December 17, 2022, Sun vs Pelican
42 minutes after playing, 58 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists, 21 out of 35 shots, 6 out of 12 three points, 10 out of 15 free throws, plus or minus+11.
Before the Pelican game, which was the third time that the two teams had met in 10 days, Booker fell into a low shooting period and was dealing with his groin injury. In his previous five games, Booker’s shooting percentage was only 32.9%, and his three-point shooting percentage was 21.4%,
The Suns have lost two consecutive games to the Pelican and are 24 points behind in this game. It was Booker who led the Suns’ fierce counter attack, and he scored 36 of 58 points in the second half. This is the third highest score in Booker’s career and the highest score since 2019.
LeBron James: March 5, 2022, Lakers vs Warriors
39 minutes after playing, 56 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 block, 19 of 31 shots, 6 of 11 three points, 12 of 13 free throws, plus or minus+13.
LeBron played two 50+games in his 19th season. This 56 point performance not only set a new season high, but also created history: at the age of 37 and 65 days, LeBron became the fourth oldest player to get 50+, and the oldest player to get 50 points+10 boards in a single game.
Trey Yang: On January 3, 2022, Eagle vs Pioneer
37 minutes after playing, 56 points, 4 rebounds, 14 assists, 17 in 26 shots, 7 in 12 three-point shots, 15 in 15 free throws, plus or minus+10.
This is one of the few empty cuts on this list, but Yang’s combination of 56 points and 14 assists is unheard of in the league. His 14 assists scored the most 55+points in the history of the game. The closest to him was James Harden in December 2016, when he got 53 points and 14 assists. Before his score (56 points) and assists creation score (30 points), Yang directly or indirectly contributed 86 points out of the 131 points of Hawks that night.
Kevin Durant: Nets vs Hawks on April 2, 2022
32 minutes after playing, 55 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steals, 19 of 28 shots, 8 of 10 three-point shots, 9 of 11 free throws, plus or minus+1.
Durant’s reputation as one of the greatest scorers in the history of the NBA has been consolidated for many years – his career total score has risen to the 15th in history, and he maintains the fourth highest average score in league history. Durant scored a career high 55 points on the Hawks and performed an incredible shooting performance — 19 of 28 shots (67.9%) on the court and 8 of 10 shots (80%) off the three-point line. Unfortunately, the efforts of Durant and the Nets ended in failure.
[40+three pairs]
In 2022, there were 9 times of 40+points triple doubles, which were created by three players: Doncic (4 times), Jokic (4 times) and Enbid (1 time). Among them, the two 40 points triple doubles of Jokic and Enbid deserve attention.
Nikolay Jokic December 18, 2022 Denver Nuggets vs Charlotte Hornets
In 40 minutes, 13 of 26 shots, 2 of 4 3-pointers, 12 of 17 free throws, 40 points, 27 rebounds, 10 assists, 2 steals, plus or minus+20.
At any time, when you become the first player to complete a statistical feat since Wilt Chamberlain, you will know that this is an incredible night. In the Nuggets’ 119-115 victory over the Hornets, Jokic became the first player in 54 years to get at least 40 points, 25 rebounds and 10 assists in a single game. The last player to do so was Chamberlain in 1968 (contributing four of all six games), and the other was Elgin Baylor.
Joel Enbid February 12, 2022 Philadelphia 76 vs Cleveland Knights
In 33 minutes, 11 out of 22 shots, 4 out of 5 3-pointers, 14 out of 15 free throws, 40 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists and 3 steals, plus or minus+24.
Enbid can get 40 points in triple doubles in 33 minutes, the second lowest in history. The only player faster than Enbeide was his teammate James Harden, who scored 43 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in just 30 minutes in the game against Houston Rockets on January 11, 2019.
[Individual data leader]
[Backboard]
Ivica Zubate November 27, 2022 Los Angeles Clippers vs Indiana Pacers
After 36 minutes of play, 14 of the 17 shots were scored, 3 of the 3 free throws were scored, and 31 points, 29 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks were obtained, with a positive or negative value of+13.
Since two stars of the team – Coway Leonard, Paul George and two key rotation players – Robert Covington and Luke Kennard were not in the team, Zubac played the best game in his six years of NBA career in perfect time. Zubac scored 31 points and had the best 29 rebounds in his career – one rebound short of the first 30-30 game since 2018 (also the third since 1982) – and got 3 blocks and 3 assists at the same time, and only missed 3 balls in 17 shots.
[Assisting]
James Harden December 23, 2022 Philadelphia 76 vs Los Angeles Express
In 41 minutes, 6 out of 17 shots, 3 out of 6 3-pointers, 6 out of 6 free throws, 20 points, 21 assists, 11 rebounds, 1 steals, plus or minus+13.
Harden not only created the most assists in his personal career in 2022, but also was the player who sent the most assists in the league this year. He also became the ninth player in the league history to get 20 points, 20 assists and 10 rebounds in a single game. Russell Westbrook (5 times) and Luca Doncic are the only other two active players who have achieved this achievement. Although Harden did not shoot well this game, his 21 assists created 50 points for the 76 players, helping the team to reverse the 20 point gap in the first half and win the game.
[Snatch]
D’Antoni Melton December 9, 2022 Philadelphia 76 vs Los Angeles Lakers
In 43 minutes, 11 out of 16 shots, 8 out of 12 3-pointers, 3 out of 4 free throws, 33 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 7 steals, plus or minus+3.
Although three players tied the record for the highest number of steals in a single game in 2022 with seven steals – Javert Green, D’Antoni Melton and Dan Gilo Russell – Melton’s overall performance was the most outstanding, and he scored 33 points to help the 76ers win 133-122 in overtime. Melton is the first player in the history of the 76ers to get at least 30 points, 8 3-pointers and 7 steals in a game, and the second NBA player in history (the first was Michael Adams in 1991).
[Cover]
Jaren Jackson Jr. 12 December 2022 Memphis Grizzly vs Atlanta Eagle
After 24 minutes of playing, he scored 6 in 11 shots, 1 in 4 3-pointers, 2 in free throws, and got 15 points, 7 rebounds, 8 blocks, 2 assists, plus or minus+25.
Little Jackson only needed 24 minutes to get 15 points, 7 rebounds and the most eight blocks in his career, helping Grizzlies beat the Hawks 128-103. He is one of the three players who contribute eight blocks in a single game in 2022 – the other two are Evan Mobley (Cavaliers) and Mitchell Robinson (Knicks) – and is expected to lead the league in the block list this season. Little Jackson has blocked 3 games per game so far this season, which enables him to lead the league immediately after playing enough games (he missed the first 14 games of this season due to injury).
[Three pointer hits]
Robert Covington April 1, 2022 Los Angeles Clippers vs Milwaukee Bucks
In 46 minutes, 15 out of 24 shots, 11 out of 18 3-pointers, 2 free throws, 43 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks, plus or minus+30.
After the February trade deadline, Robert Covington had only 22 minutes of playing time per game. However, on April 1, the Clippers visited the Bucks away, and the core players of both sides took turns off, which brought more playing time to Covington. He also took full advantage of this opportunity, scoring 11 3-pointers in a single game, the highest in his career and team history, and scoring a career high of 43 points. The other three players who hit 11 3-pointers in 2022 are Malik Bisley (Timberwolves), Boyan Bogdanovic (Pistons) and Damian Lillard (Trailblazers).
[Top 5 Playoffs Performance]
Jia Morant: May 3, 2022; Grizzly bears vs warriors; Western semifinals G2.
47 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, 15 of 31 shots, 5 of 12 3-pointers, 12 of 13 free throws, plus or minus+13, 41 minutes out.
At that time, the Grizzlies led by Morant lost to the Warriors in the first home game, so Morant took over the game in G2. He led the Grizzlies 106-101 to defeat the Warriors with a career high of 47 points in the playoffs, and pulled the big score of the series to a 1-1 level. In the fourth quarter of the game, the leading edge of both teams did not exceed 5 points, and Morant alone arranged the last 15 points of the Grizzlies. Finally, Morant took over the game with 18 points in the last quarter.
吉米-巴特勒：2022年5月27日；热火vs凯尔特人；东部决赛G6。
47分9篮板8助攻4 抢断1 封盖，29投16中，三分球8投4中，11罚11中，正负值+8，出场41分钟。
巴特勒虽然没能晋级上赛季的总决赛，但是他在上赛季季后赛中4次单场40+的表现领衔全联盟。虽然巴特勒打出了很多史诗级别的数据，但是他在上赛季东决G6中的发挥是无可挑剔的。巴特勒47分的发挥也创下了他季后赛的生涯新高（热火生涯季后赛40+场次为6场），而在为热火效力期间，巴特勒在常规赛的40+场次则为0场。巴特勒47+9+8的表现很容易让人联想起詹姆斯十年前在面对凯尔特人时，也是在G6得到45+15+5的表现。
