Aussies in NBA: All-time regular season record holders
Ever thought about what the Australian NBA record is for each statistical category, and who holds it?
Well, wonder no more. Here are the current record holders for NBA regular season games, check it out.
Points:
Aron Baynes - 37
vs POR – 6 Mar 2020
The Phoenix Suns accounted for Portland 127-117, and it was big man Aron Baynes turning heads as he scorched the net from beyond the arc to turn in one of the all-time great performances by an Australian in the NBA.
Baynes had ONE of those nights. He drained 9 three-pointers on his way to amassing 37 points with 16 rebounds and 2 block in playing 36 minutes, eclipsing the previous best marks of 34 points - a feat achieved twice by Ben Simmons for the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2019/20 season, and Patty Mills who got to the mark first in 2012 against the Golden State Warriors.
The achievement effectively marked Aron Baynes' evolution as a perimeter scoring threat complete. Baynes sizzled by connecting on an almost unthinkable 9 of 14 triples, while also making a perfect 4 of 4 from the charity stripe to cap an amazing scoring performance. He was robbed by LeBron James for NBA Western Conference Player of the week honours too despite his remarkable feats across two games.
Rebounds:
Andrew Bogut - 27
vs MIA - 7 Jan 2011
Bogut produced a mammoth effort on the glass during the Bucks 101-95 overtime loss to the Miami Heat.
The game occurred during early Heatles days who had a weakness in the middle, akin to the Death Star. Bogut gave his best Millennium Falcon impression by being a destructive force on the inside.
Added to his huge rebound tally was his typically stout defense which produced 2 blocks and 3 steals, to go along with 12 points.
His importance to the Bucks' chances was highlighted by the fact he barely took a seat, playing a game-high 48 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j20vI5_26KY
Assists:
Ben Simmons - 17
vs DET - 24 Dec 2019
Ben Simmons got into the Christmas spirit of giving by handed out a career-high 17 assists in a win against the Detroit Pistons. While he was in a giving mood, he also chalked up a casual 16 points and 13 rebounds to register a 26th career triple double.
The 76ers would dismantle the Pistons 125-109, with Simmons leading the way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M1veQDeEGs
Steals:
Ben Simmons - 7
Twice:
vs PHX - 4 Nov 2019
The 76ers would fall short to a Devin-Booker led Phoenix Suns 109-114, but not before Ben Simmons left his own mark on the game defensively.
While Simmons would only add 6 points on a 2 of 8 shooting, he did manage 5 rebounds, 6 assists and a whopping 7 steals to match his career-high mark set a month earlier.
vs DET - 10 Oct 2019
In Philly's 117-11 road win against the Pistons, Ben Simmons could have been charged with grand theft auto, escaping town with a new person best 7 steals, eclipsing the mark previously held by Joe Ingles. Simmons came up big down the stretch with some huge steals to ensure a 76ers victory.
Simmons would also tally 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 10 assists in another near-triple double performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjxFleEsZHc
Blocks:
Andew Bogut - 9
vs NOP - 7 Apr 2015
When Bogut held his block party in New Orleans he showed what a great host he is by ensuring everyone on the Pelicans received equal attention.
Draymond Green summed up the performance perfectly after the game, saying "I'm not gonna step back & pop champagne bottles like that's not what he do. That's what he do."
Bogut also boasted a team best +8 for plus/minus in his 28 minutes and was close to producing Australia’s first triple-double by adding 8 points and 8 rebounds.
His good work would ultimately go unrewarded as the Warriors lost a tight one, 100-103.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlrMGRtDVdY
3-pointers made:
Aron Baynes - 9
vs PORT - 6 Mar 2020
Patty Mills and Joe Ingles may have the reputations of being three-point marksman, bruising centre Aron Baynes went right past them for the record of most triples made in a single game by an Aussie against Portland right before the season was postponed due to the global coronavirus epidemic.
Lucky for Baynes his unconscious shooting did not require a doctor, with the Suns star dialing long distance a staggering 9 times as he led Phoenix to a 127-117 win against the Trailblazers. The Australian Boomer showcased his impeccable shooting touch, complete with a step-back triple too in the win.
His 9 three's leapfrogged Patty Mills' best effort of 7 triples, something he has achieved twice in his career, while Ingles has connected on 7 treys three-times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dKroBhjcHk
Coming soon - the all-time playoff single game record holders by Aussies in the NBA.