In an exceptional display of talent, Sandro Mamukelashvili made NBA history by scoring the most points in a game while playing fewer than 20 minutes since the 1951-52 season. The San Antonio Spurs player achieved a career-high of 34 points, showcasing his skills on a night to remember. Mamukelashvili, who has averaged just 8.9 minutes this season, entered the game a mere 55 seconds into the second quarter and delivered an unforgettable performance.
During the second quarter, Mamukelashvili finished with 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. He also contributed seven rebounds and an assist, helping his team to a commanding lead of 67-43 at halftime. His teammate, Jeremy Sochan, humorously suggested keeping Flavor Flav, Mamukelashvili's longtime friend who was present at the game, in San Antonio for good luck.
The historic night was further highlighted by Mamukelashvili's remarkable shooting accuracy. He became only the fourth player in NBA history to shoot 90% from the field, 100% on three-pointers, and 100% on free throws in a single game. This impressive feat places him alongside NBA legends Tyrese Haliburton, Gary Payton, and Charles Barkley.
Flavor Flav's presence added excitement to the evening as he crashed Mamukelashvili's on-court postgame interview. The rapper has been a friend of Mamukelashvili for many years, and his enthusiasm was evident when he exclaimed:
"I don't care what nobody says. My man is on fiiiiiiiirrrreee!" – Flavor Flav
The timing of this historic performance was particularly special for Mamukelashvili as his father, Zurab, attended the game in celebration of his birthday. This personal milestone undoubtedly fueled Mamukelashvili's determination and drive on the court.
Reflecting on his achievement, Mamukelashvili expressed gratitude for the support he receives from those around him.
"I'm trying to get better. I'm trying to establish myself. I'm trying to show everybody that I belong. I'll just keep taking strides towards that. I'm just so happy I have a support team behind me: my girl, my friends, my teammates, my family. Once it sinks in, you're kind of like, 'OK, I really worked for this and it's happening.' It was an unbelievable feeling." – Sandro Mamukelashvili
Mamukelashvili's dedication and hard work have clearly paid off, earning praise from his teammates as well. Chris Paul commended his performance:
"Mamu is an amazing teammate. He comes in and works hard every day, cheers guys on, always in a good mood, good attitude. When he's shooting the ball like that, you just try to find the guy." – Chris Paul
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