The Chicago Bulls-Atlanta Hawks Friday night showdown was one for the ages. Several records were made and broken throughout the quadruple overtime frenzy that saw the Bulls pull away in the fourth overtime to win, 168-161.
Most headlines focused on Hawks rookie Trae Young's historic 49-point, 16-assist night. However, Bulls guard Zach Lavine had himself a night as well.
In fact, it was a career night for Lavine, who finished with a career-high 47 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. With that, he became the first Bulls player since Michael Jordan to record such a stat line, per Bleacher Report on Twitter.
Last night, Zach LaVine became the first Chicago Bulls player to record 47 PTS, 9 REB, 9 AST since MJ in 1989 pic.twitter.com/Rl8QE75kKa
— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) March 2, 2019
Lavine and Jordan are, in fact, the only two Bulls players to do this in the history of the franchise.
Jordan last did this on April 13, 1989 against the Indiana Pacers where he had 47 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. In fact, Jordan also notched this same feat earlier in January of that same season, as he finished with a 48-10-9 stat line, coincidentally, against the Atlanta Hawks.
Lavine shot 17-of-35 from the field and made six three pointers in 55 grueling minutes as he went toe-to-toe with Trae Young, who made several rookie records with his performance last night. Lavine poured in 21 of his 47 points in the four overtime periods, with 11 coming in the first OT.
The former UCLA standout actually almost cost the game for the Bulls with a crucial turnover with one second remaining in the third overtime. Fortunately, Bulls forward Lauri Markannen was able to deny the Hawks' final gasp at the victory.
Lavine and the Bulls eventually pulled away in the fourth overtime, outscoring the Hawks 13-6. After going to war on Friday, these two teams will square off again on Sunday, this time in Chicago.
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