The Los Angeles Lakers got themselves a surprise outing from reserve point guard Jordan Clarkson, as the Missouri standout poured in a game-high 33 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists against the Indiana Pacers — becoming the first Laker to post a 30-7-7 line coming off the bench since the legendary Magic Johnson, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Jordan Clarkson is the first Lakers player with at least 30 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists off the bench since Magic Johnson on Feb. 16, 1996. pic.twitter.com/p5EJ0MbNqQ
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 20, 2018
Johnson did so on Feb. 16, 1996, making it nearly 22 years since the feat had been achieved by the purple-and-gold.
Clarkson was unstoppable, hitting 14 of his 19 shot attempts from the field, going 3-of-6 from deep, and being the only Laker to convert free throws in a woeful 2-of-14 collective night shooting from the stripe.
The bench spark plug has been mired in trade talks since the start of the year and has seen his playing time come down considerably in January, going from his steady 24.1 minutes per game back in December to only a 21.8 average this month — largely aided by the torrid performance that forced coach Luke Walton to keep him on the floor for his month-best 34 minutes.
Clarkson has received under 20 minutes in four of the Lakers' 10 games this month but he's been largely favored by an injury to Lonzo Ball that granted him more playing time.
Walton opted to start Josh Hart at the point guard position, while Clarkson assumed his usual sixth man role, firing on all cylinders throughout the night. If the Lakers do decide to move him before the trade deadline, this performance should surely aid his stock as one of the younger scoring talents of this league.
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