Now…
35 years ago, on December 31, 1990 (local time, 30 days below). An NBA regular season record for most assists in a single game was set.
On this day, the Orlando Magic hosted the Denver Nuggets at home at Orlando Arena and won with a high score of 155-116. The team as a whole continued to make shots at a high rate with a field goal success rate of 57.0% (61/107).
And in this game, point guard Scott Skiles was on the court for 44 minutes, 00 seconds and recorded 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and an amazing 30 assists. Although John Stockton (former Utah Jazz) ranks second through fourth on the all-time list with 28, 27, and 26 hits, respectively, Skiles’ record still stands 35 years later.
Skiles, who played 10 seasons in the NBA and is 185 cm and 81 kg, averaged 17.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.1 steals in the 1990-91 season, the fifth year of his career, and won the Most Improved Player Award (MIP), setting a new NBA record and having his best season.
The man who went on to play with Shaquille O’Neal and Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway with the Magic has played in 600 regular season games with five teams, averaging 11.1 points, 2.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists.
After retiring from active duty, Skiles served as an assistant coach and coached the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and Magic, with a total of 478 wins and 480 losses (49.9 percent winning percentage) in 958 regular season games.
Skiles is the first former player to be nominated for the 2026 Basketball Hall of Fame, which was announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on the 20th of this month. It is doubtful whether he will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year, but as long as he holds the NBA record for most assists in one game with 30, there is a possibility.
[Video]Skiles dished out 30 assists in one game
