There was no stopping Anthony Davis during the New Orleans Pelicans‘ 107-102 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night's season-opener.
The 6-foot-11 forward put up a monstrous 50 points in just 41 minutes, becoming the fourth player in NBA history to reach that mark in a season opener – Michael Jordan, Elgin Baylor, and Wilt Chamberlain being the others.
Here's the list of players to score at least 50 points in a season opener pic.twitter.com/gmQjr3Dnne
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 27, 2016
The Pelicans ultimately fell short after getting out-rebounded 58-34 and having poor production from their bench.
AD coming in hot!!! #Pelicans #WinTheNight https://t.co/hpC6RGHeQI
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 27, 2016
Davis was locked-in, making 17-of-34 shot attempts from the field and 16-of-17 from the free-throw line on his way to the half-century mark.
Article Continues BelowThe Kentucky product was relentless going to the rim, even against the twin towers of Nikola Jokic and Jusuf Nurkic, that present a hefty challenge with their length. He collected 16 rebounds, this being his only one at the offensive end with a put-back slam.
THE FINISH #PelicansGameday #WinTheNight https://t.co/6xcuW7ypf8
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 27, 2016
Anthony Davis finished with the stat line that dreams are made of, dropping 50 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, seven steals, and four blocks. The stat line is one of its kind, as it showed all-around effort and dominance on the floor.
AD's final stat line (50 pts, 16 rbs, 5 asts, 7 stls, 4 blks) is the first of its kind in @NBA history
— Pelicans PR (@PelicansPR) October 27, 2016
While most Pelicans fans are disappointed with the result, this iconic performance is a very encouraging sign after he missed a few games during the preseason with an ankle injury.