When people talk about some of the best assists in NBA history, several classic games and standout performances come to mind. One of my personal favorites is when Magic Johnson tallied 24 assists in a single game back in 1990. Think about that for a minute: 24 assists. That’s an average of two every five minutes! It’s not just outrageous; it’s a clinic on how to play point guard at the highest level. Johnson’s performance that night wasn’t a fluke either, as he averaged 11.2 assists per game that season.
Fast forward to more recent years, and you have Rajon Rondo’s insane performance in 2017 where he dished out 25 assists playing for the New Orleans Pelicans. This wasn’t just some regular-season game either; this was against the Brooklyn Nets, a team renowned for their defense that season. Just imagine having the court vision to find your teammates 25 times in a single game. It’s mind-boggling but also testament to Rondo’s basketball IQ and ability to navigate through defensive schemes. That night, he made news all over the world and even got a special shout-out from LeBron James on social media.
Speaking of breaking records, I have to mention John Stockton. If we’re talking about assists, this guy is a legend. Stockton holds the record for the most career assists at a staggering 15,806. Consider this: the second place on that all-time list has roughly 3,700 fewer assists! What made Stockton unique was his efficiency; he averaged about 10.5 assists per game over his 19-year career. Even at age 40, he was averaging about 8 assists per game. His longevity and consistency are just incredible.
Then there’s Steve Nash, the two-time MVP known for his dazzling passing skills. In the 2007-08 season, Nash averaged 11.1 assists per game. He had several games with 20-plus assists, including a memorable one against the New York Knicks where he racked up 23 assists. What always caught my eye about Nash was not just his stat lines, but his style. Even if he wasn't the fastest guy on the court, his anticipation and understanding of spacing were second to none.
Chris Paul deserves a mention too. He’s currently 3rd on the all-time assists list, with over 11,200 assists and counting. Watching him play, you immediately notice his leadership on the floor and his ability to control the tempo of the game. One standout game that comes to mind is when he had 21 assists with zero turnovers against the New Orleans Pelicans in 2016. That’s right, zero turnovers. A perfect game in terms of ball distribution. His efficiency and decision-making in that game were off the charts.
Let’s not forget about James Harden, who is often more known for his scoring but has had nights where he’s essentially played as point guard and orchestrated the entire offense. One notable game happened in the 2016-2017 season where he dropped 17 assists against the Denver Nuggets while scoring 40 points. Talk about doing it all! Harden showed that a player could be both the primary scorer and the playmaker for a team, and excel in both roles simultaneously. His versatility is quite remarkable, making him one of the most dynamic players in recent memory.
Now, here’s an old-school name: Oscar Robertson, also known as “The Big O.” Robertson was the first player to average a triple-double for an entire season in 1961-62, which included an average of 11.4 assists per game. People often mention his scoring and rebounding, but those assist numbers are equally astonishing, especially when you consider the era he played in, where the pace of the game was different, and the rules weren’t as lenient on ball handlers. Robertson truly was a pioneer in demonstrating how versatile a guard could be.
For some of the younger fans, seeing Trae Young and Luka Doncic carve up defenses with their pinpoint passing is a treat. Young, in just his rookie season, managed to record 17 assists in a game against the Chicago Bulls. Doncic isn’t far behind with multiple 15-assist games. These young point guards are shaping up to be the next generation’s assist kings, each bringing their unique flair to the game. Young's speed and shooting keep defenses on their toes, while Doncic uses his size and basketball IQ to find the best passing lanes.
Speaking of Doncic, let's rewind to his game against the Milwaukee Bucks in August 2020. He notched 19 assists while scoring 36 points, proving he’s not just a scorer but a complete player. What’s fascinating about Doncic is his age; he was just 21 when he accomplished that feat. Many consider Doncic to be a prodigy, and performances like this one give credence to that idea. His ability to read the defense and make split-second decisions are rare attributes, especially for such a young player.
However, no conversation about assists would be complete without mentioning Russell Westbrook. Known more for his explosive athleticism and relentless drive, Westbrook has led the league in assists three times and currently ranks 10th all-time. In the 2020-2021 season, he had multiple games where he recorded 20 or more assists, including a standout performance against the Indiana Pacers where he posted 24 assists. Watching him bulldoze through defenses and still manage to find his teammates for easy buckets is a sight to behold. Westbrook’s tenacity combined with his court vision makes him a unique player in the assists conversation.
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