How unlikely was OKC Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins' 40-point sport within the NBA this century? – Oklahoman.com

Aaron Wiggins had the sport ball in tow as he ascended the stage for his postgame press convention. 
“Have you learnt the place that ball is gonna go?” Wiggins was requested. 
Wiggins gawked on the magical orb. 
“Someplace in my man cave, for certain,” he stated with a smile. 
Wiggins scored a career-high 41 points with a career-high 14 rebounds Saturday night time within the Thunder’s blowout of the Kings. 
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The fourth-year Thunder wing had by no means earlier than had a 30-point sport within the NBA, a lot much less a 40-piece. His faculty career-high, in three years at Maryland, was 27 factors. 
You see outlier stat traces in meaningless March and April video games, however this was a pure efficiency for Wiggins till he reached the 37-point mark. Then he began chucking, willed on by the gang and his teammates. No disgrace in that. All people within the constructing wished to see Wiggins cross the 40-point threshold. 
He grew to become the seventh participant in Thunder historical past to attain 40 factors in a sport, becoming a member of Kevin Durant (45 occasions), Russell Westbrook (43), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (20), Paul George (10), James Harden (as soon as) and Lu Dort (as soon as). 
Dort’s inclusion within the 40-point membership is stunning, however Wiggins’ entrance was gorgeous. Probably the most unlikely 40-point sport in Thunder historical past. Some of the unlikely 40-point video games in latest NBA historical past. 
For context, right here’s the listing of gamers — with a profession scoring common of 8.0 factors or fewer — who’ve scored 40-plus factors in a sport this century. 
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Profession factors per sport: 4.8
Thunder followers would possibly bear in mind this one. Lofton scored 42 factors for the Grizzlies in Oklahoma Metropolis on the final day of the 2022-23 season, a sport wherein neither group had something to play for. 
Lofton went 17 of 25 from the ground and eight of 12 from the free-throw line. 
It was the one begin Lofton logged in his transient, 45-game NBA profession. He now performs for the Shanghai Sharks within the Chinese language Basketball League. 
Lofton is the one participant this century — who’s averaged fewer than 5.0 factors per sport — who’s logged a 40-point sport. 
Profession factors per sport: 5.5 
Flynn scored 50(!!!) for the Pistons in a meaningless sport towards the Hawks final April. And he didn’t even begin! 
In 34 minutes off the bench, Flynn shot 18 of 25 from the ground, together with 5 of 9 from 3-point vary. He was 9 of 12 from the free-throw line. 
Flynn has solely appeared in six NBA video games since then. He’s spent this season with the G League Austin Spurs. 
Profession factors per sport: 6.2 
Wilkins, the son of Gerald and nephew of Dominique, scored 41 factors in a SuperSonics double-overtime win towards the Hawks within the 2007-08 season — the 12 months earlier than the franchise relocated to Oklahoma Metropolis. 
Wilkins shot 15 of 20 from the sphere whereas logging 51 minutes. A rookie Kevin Durant had 21 factors. 
Wilkins performed in 41 video games (14 begins) on the inaugural Thunder group in 2008-09. He averaged 5.3 factors per sport for OKC. 
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Profession factors per sport: 7.1
The much-hyped French guard solely performed 4 NBA seasons, all with the Mavericks. 
He randomly exploded for 40 factors — draining 9 3-pointers — in a 2010 win towards the Warriors. 
Beaubois, 36, performs professionally in Turkey. 
Profession factors per sport: 7.2 
Watson performed for 5 groups in his 10-year NBA profession. Solely twice did he common north of 10 factors in a season. A type of seasons was 2009-10, when he scored 40 factors for the Warriors in a win towards the Kings. 
Watson, a profession 37% 3-point shooter, went 9 of 11 from 3-point vary. 
Profession factors per sport: 7.8
With Jalen Williams sidelined, Wiggins thrived in an expanded function towards the Kings. 
His profession excessive earlier than Saturday night time was 28 factors. 
Wiggins has been the final word professional throughout his time in Oklahoma Metropolis. His function has fluctuated however by no means has he performed the lead function as he did Saturday. 
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Joe Mussatto is a sports activities columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a narrative concept for Joe? E-mail him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Help Joe’s work and that of different Oklahoman journalists by buying a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.

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