2020 is not even a month over but we have already seen dominating performances from some of the NBA’s best and brightest players. Here are three of the most notable individual performances so far in 2020.
3. Zion Williamson | January 22 vs San Antonio
22 Points, 7 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 73% FG, 4/4 3PT, 18 Minutes
In his first professional game, Zion Williamson showed us exactly why he is the most hyped-up rookie in years.
After a slow start to the game with only five points through the first three-quarters, Zion came alive in the fourth, scoring 17 straight points in only three minutes. On Twitter Skip Bayless described it as “an electrifying scoring burst I can’t remember since MJ and Kobe in their primes.”
While the raw numbers aren’t as impressive as the other games on this list they are downright dominant when you realize he did this all in only 18 minutes of play. Over 36 minutes he would have put up an absurd 44 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists.
Zion certainly silenced any doubters he had left with this debut to remember and the NBA world waits in anticipation for what comes next.
2. Brandon Ingram | January 16 vs Utah
49 Points, 8 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 16/20 FT
The second performance by a member of the New Orleans Pelicans on this list, Brandon Ingram had a game for the ages vs Utah.
He finished the game with a career-high 49 points on just 25 shots, shooting 60 percent from the field. He also made a career-high 16 free throws, including a few crucial ones down the stretch.
What was most impressive was how Ingram carried himself, he looked and played the part of an NBA star, brimming with confidence and not afraid to put the team on his back. His potential game-winning shot with 0.2 seconds left in regulation would have been the perfect ending if the game hadn’t been sent to overtime due to a questionable call moments later.
In a season where Ingram has started to fully realize the potential the Lakers saw in him when they drafted him 2nd overall in 2016, and the Pelicans saw when they traded for him, this game is just the icing on the cake.
1. Damian Lillard | January 20 vs Golden State
61 Points, 10 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 11/20 3PT
Damian Lillard has a way of coming up with massive performances when his team needs it and he certainly did just that versus Golden State.
In a pivotal game to keep the Blazers in the hunt for the eighth seed in the west Lillard had what might be the best performance of his entire career. He set new career-highs in points, field goals made, and three-pointers made all while dragging Portland to an overtime victory.
In a season where it has seemed like the Blazers have been down and out on multiple occasions Lillard has come through time and time again to deliver big wins when they count. And with the return of star big man Jusuf Nurkic on the horizon, Portland is primed to make a run for the playoffs.
All stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference
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