By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
Last night against the Brooklyn Nets, Rajon Rondo put up just two points, but he also handed out 25 assists to lead his team. The 31-year old became the oldest player in NBA history with 25 assists in a game and just the seventh player to achieve this feat. He also did it in just 30 minutes, which are also the fewest for a player with 25 assists in the history of the NBA.
Eurohoops presents the other six NBA players in the history of the game with 25+ assists and also adds Rajon Rondo’s accomplishment to this list.
Scott Skiles: 30 assists
- Stat Line: 22 points, 30 assists
- Team: Orlando Magic
- Career-Stats: 11.1 points, 6.5 assists
On December 30th, 1990, Scott Skiles became the first and only player in NBA history to hand out 30 assists in just one NBA game. Against the Denver Nuggets, the Orlando Magic with Skiles leading the way got the easy 116-155 victory. He finished with a huge double-double: 22 points and 30 assists.
The 26-year old at the time, played 44 minutes (the most of any team) made 7/13 field goals and managed to shock the world with his 30 assists. As a player, he played for five different NBA teams until he traveled overseas to play in Greece for one year, for PAOK Thessaloniki in his last year playing professionally. In the same club, he started his coaching career.
John Stockton: 28, 27, 26 assists
- Career Stats: 13.1 points, 10.5 assists
- Team: Utah Jazz
John Stockton is known as one of the best point guards in NBA history, maybe the best pure floor general ever. The ten times All-Star is also the only player to have had three games with 25+ assists, which is something remarkable. Moreover, his career-averages also show how he was a double-double type of player night in and night out.
- Stat Line: 20 points, 28 assists, 8 steals
On January 15, 1991, just a couple of weeks after Scott Skiles had handed out 30 assists, John Stockton managed to put up 20 points, 28 assists, and 8 steals, one incredible stat-line. He willed the Jazz to a 102-124 victory against the San Antonio Spurs.
- Stat Line: 18 points, 27 assists
At Madison Square Garden, in New York, Stockton had one of the best all-time performances in the world’s most famous arena. He went out and scored 18 points, while also handing out 27 assists against the Knicks. Unfortunately, his magic did not come with a win, as his team lost 107-115.
- Stat Line: 17 points, 26 assists
Finally, at home, in Utah, in a loss against the Portland Trail Blazers on April 14, 1988, he filled in the box-score once more, as he finished with 17 points and 26 assists.
Rajon Rondo: 25 assists
- Stat Line: 2 points, 25 assists, 7 rebounds
- Team: New Orleans Pelicans
- Career Stats: 10.5 points, 8.5 assists
Against the Brooklyn Nets, on December 27, 2017, Rajon Rondo became the first player since Jason Kidd back in 1996 to record a 25+ assist game. Back in 2010, Rondo had handed out 24 assists, but last night he managed to put up 25 assists on an easy 113-128 win at home. He played just 30 minutes, while he also scored just two points. The 31-year old now has seven games with at least 20 assists.
Jason Kidd: 25 assists
- Stat Line: 20 points, 25 assists
- Team: Dallas Mavericks
- Career Stats: 12.6 points, 8.7 assists
On February 8, 1996, against John Stockton and the Utah Jazz, Kidd finished with a monster double-double on a tough three-point win (133-136). The 23-year old at the time scored 20 points and handed out 25 assists on a double-overtime victory. His opponent, John Stockton finished the game with 28 points and 10 assists, but the story that night was Jason Kidd.
For his career, he had good averages of 12.6 points, 8.7 assists, and 6.3 rebounds. He was known as the floor general of his team, he had incredible court vision and saw the play before it occurred.
Kevin Johnson: 25 assists
- Stat Line: 16 points, 25 assists
- Team: Phoenix Suns
- Career Stats: 17.9 points, 9.1 assists
On April 6, 1994, the Phoenix Suns and Charles Barkley were hosting the San Antonio Spurs and David Robinson. That night, however, belonged to Kevin Johnson. The 1.85m (6’1”) point-guard was delivering all-night beautiful bounce passes to Charles Barkley and Dan Majerle who were converting. The three-time NBA All-Star finished the game with 16 points, 25 assists, and three rebounds, while his partner in crime added 21 points, 16 rebounds, and seven assists.
Later in his career, his No. 7 jersey was retired by the Phoenix Suns while he also made the All-NBA second team four times in his 13 season career.
Nate McMillan: 25 assists
- Stat Line: 8 points, 25 assists, 8 rebounds
- Team: Seattle Supersonics
- Career Stats: 5.9 points, 6.0 assists
The Clippers were playing on the road against the Sonics, and it was all about the Nate McMillan show. The current Indiana Pacers coach, filled the box-score that night with his 8 points, 25 assists, and 8 rebounds, ‘flirting’ with a triple-double. For the 41 minutes he was on the court, he was assisting his teammates, Dale Ellis (29 pts), Xavier McDaniel (28 pts) and Tom Chambers (25 pts).
Finally, the Seattle Supersonics got the 112-124 victory at home. In his long-term career, McMillan was known for his defense (2x NBA All-Defensive Second Team) and his passion for the game of basketball. He played twelve years in the NBA with the same team and his number 10 was eventually retired by Seattle.
Isiah Thomas: 25 assists
- Stat Line: 23 points, 25 assists
- Team: Detroit Pistons
- Career Stats: 19.2 points, 9.3 assists
One of the most dominant point guards of his generation and in the history of the NBA; Isiah Thomas, recorded a 23/25 game against the Dallas Mavericks on February 13, 1985. In what finally, was a 119-124 victory for his team, Thomas played a huge role in Detroit’s success that night. In the 41 minutes he played, he handed out 25 assists, scored 23 points (10/18 FG) and had five turnovers.
He played his whole career in Detroit, made the All-Star team twelve times, was a two time NBA champion and eventually was named NBA Finals MVP in 1990.