Jonas Valanciunas’ record-breaking career-night propels Pelicans to comfortable win against Clippers

Jonas Valanciunas will bear in mind Monday night time for his lifetime. 

The Lithuanian massive man had a sport for the ages, setting and breaking a number of data within the course of, and serving to the Pelicans to a snug 123-104 win over the Clippers. 

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Coming into this contest, Valanciunas was averaging career-highs throughout the board with 18.5 factors, 12.3 rebounds and a couple of.4 assists whereas making a 3-pointer a sport on 46.0 % effectivity. Nonetheless, on this sport, he went bonkers. 

Here is a have a look at the data the Pelicans set, tied or broke together with his efficiency on the STAPLES Middle (quickly to be named Crypto.com Enviornment):

39 – Profession-high factors tally

The 6-foot-11 massive man’s earlier career-high was 34 factors however he breezed previous that by erupting for 39 — 29 of which got here within the first half alone. 

The 39 factors for the sport and 29 factors for a half are each career-highs. That is the Valanciunas’ 11th career game of scoring 30 or more and the primary as a Pelican. 

Eight of his earlier 10 30-point video games got here as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies whereas the opposite got here with the Toronto Raptors.

His first-half explosion had former teammate Ja Morant excited:

7 – Profession-high 3-pointers

The middle did most of his harm from past the arc, pulling down a career-high seven 3-pointers on simply eight makes an attempt for a ridiculous effectivity of 87.5 %. 

He knocked down all of these seven within the first half on good taking pictures. Here is a have a look at this shot chart from the primary half:

Valanciunas appears to have a liking for the Clippers’ protection this season. In two video games to date, he is knocked down 12 3-pointers on 17 makes an attempt whereas he is made 18 on 41 makes an attempt within the different 21 video games. 

His 7-of-7 taking pictures within the first half put his title alongside some elite firm:

35-10-7: Joins Stephen Curry

With this efficiency, the Pelicans massive man joins Stephen Curry as the one gamers this season to document a minimum of 35 factors, 10 rebounds and knock down seven 3-pointers. 

Enjoyable reality, each these video games had been recorded towards the Clippers. He additionally grew to become the primary participant in franchise historical past to document these numbers. 

39-15-7: Joins James Harden and Vince Carter

On the remaining buzzer, Valanciunas completed the sport with 39 factors, 15 rebounds, three assists and two steals in 32 minutes of play. That stat line alongside together with his seven 3-pointers made him solely the fourth participant in NBA historical past to document these numbers.

Amongst gamers to document a minimum of 39 factors, 10 rebounds and 7 3-pointers, Valanciunas joins the group of Harden (x3) and Carter.