Fred VanVleet is little known for his scoring explosions. Although the Toronto Raptors guard averages almost 19 points per game, he is extremely consistent in generating those points. Entering Tuesday, VanVleet had never scored 40 points in a college or NBA game. He didn’t even need three quarters to cross that limit, however, as Vanvleet posted the best offensive game of his career.
VanVleet scored 54 points in Toronto’s victory over the Orlando Magic, an explosion that represents much more than just his own career record. With his final bucket, he broke DeMar DeRozan’s team record of 52 points and Hall-of-Famer Moses Malone’s record 53 points in the league with an unselected player.
VanVleet also had another big NBA record in sight. He hit 8 of 9 behind the hoop in the first half, putting it in pace to break the record of 3 more points in a game too. That record is currently held by Klay Thompson, who turned 14 in a 2018 game against the Chicago Bulls. VanVleet hit three points in the third quarter, giving him a chance for the record, but tried only one in the fourth. He lost and therefore ended up short of Donyell Marshall’s team record of 12.
Raptors coach Nick Nurse removed VanVleet with 2:37 from the end of the game, ending any chance of more history or a 60-point night. VanVleet will have to settle for having the most prolific night in Raptors history, as well as helping his team beat Charlotte Hornets and eighth in the Eastern Conference.