23. Allen Crabbe vs. Chicago Bulls, April 9, 2018
Allen Crabbe‘s first season with the Brooklyn Nets was winding down, a season in which he had set career highs in just about every major category in his first season as a full-time NBA starter following four years as a reserve with the Portland Trail Blazers.
It had been an uneven road for Crabbe, whose shooting tailed off badly after moving from role player for a playoff team to key piece for a rebuilding club.
Sir Charles In Charge
But in the Nets’ 81st game of the season, their home finale against the likewise lottery-bound Chicago Bulls, everything came together.
Crabbe had the hot hand early, scoring 20 points in the first quarter — well above his average of 12.8 points a game coming in.
And when we say Crabbe was hot early, he scored 20 of Brooklyn’s first 22 points. He missed his first shot and he missed his final attempt before coming out of the game with 2:08 to go in the opening quarter.
Between, he hit six straight shots, five of them from 3-point range, and converted three free throws after being fouled from behind the arc.
He was solid the rest of the way, as well, hitting six of his final seven attempts and finishing with a career-high 41 points as the Nets closed out their home slate on a winning note, 114-105.
Crabbe finished 12-for-15, including 8-for-11 from deep, and hit all nine of his foul shots, also posting five rebounds and four assists.
In 75 games, Crabbe averaged 13.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 29.3 minutes a game while shooting .407/.378/.852, but gave Nets fans at least a glimpse of what he’s capable of.