DeMarcus Cousins posted an incredible statistical feat Monday night matched by only four other players in NBA history.
The Pelicans star scored 44 points to help the Pelicans to a 132-128 double-OT win over the Bulls in New Orleans. His scoring alone was great, but Cousins added 24 rebounds and 10 assists.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that's only the 10th 40-point, 20-point, 10-assist game in NBA history.
Think of all the great players in NBA history, involved in tens of thousands of games. Of those stars, only Wilt Chamberlain, who pulled off the feat six times, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elgin Baylor and Oscar Robertson have emulated the numbers Cousins put up Monday. Abdul-Jabbar was the last to turn the trick, in 1972.
Sure, Boogie had the benefit of a double-OT game to add to his stats, but still. Those are all old-school stars from the 1960s and 70s. Nobody puts up numbers like that these days.
But Cousins is no stranger to big stats. Remember when people talked about a double-double (10 or more points and rebounds) being a big deal? Monday was Cousins' fifth game this season with 20 or more points and rebounds.
It's tough to pick just one highlight out of a 40/20/10 performance. How about these two key scores in the second overtime (because it wouldn't be nearly as fun talking about this if the Pelicans had lost).
