Los Angeles Clippers rookie Brandon Boston Jr. on Wednesday scored a career-high 27 points in a win over the Boston Celtics and dedicated the performance to late friend, and former Kentucky Wildcats teammate, Terrence Clarke.
Clarke, 19, was tragically killed in a car accident in April after crashing at a high rate of speed following a pre-draft workout with Boston in the Los Angeles area. Boston was reportedly driving behind Clarke at the time of the collision.
Boston revealed after the contest that Clarke, who was born in Boston, always wanted to play for the Celtics growing up. He played with Clarke on his mind and admitted that his energy helped carry him to his career night versus the Celtics.
He explained how Clarke would have reacted to his performance.
He would have called up screaming, excited with a bright smile on his face telling me, ‘I told you! I told you so! You’re the best in the world! Just keep going.’ That is the type of relationship we had. He was always pushing me to be my best self. I always keep that in the back of my mind. I actually dedicated this game (to him).
Boston led the Clippers en route to the 114-111 victory, scoring 18 of his 27 total points in the second quarter. He joined Eric Gordon and Lamar Odom as the only players in franchise history to score at least 27 points at age 20 or younger.
Dennis Schroder said Boston wasted no time getting to work.
He was on the bench and went off right away. Credit to him. I heard he scored 46 in the G League game. We gotta respect everybody. At the end of the day, he came in and busted our ass. (He had) over 20 and he won them the ballgame.
An all-around career night for @bboston_!
Brandon Boston Jr. sets career-highs with 27 PTS, 4 STL and 5 3PM to lead the way for the @LAClippers! #NBARooks pic.twitter.com/5bPpygJo2b
— NBA (@NBA) December 9, 2021
Of course, Boston erupted for 46 points on Nov. 29 with the Agua Caliente Clippers on assignment in the G League. He drained nine 3-pointers in that contest and matched Cam Thomas for the most points in a game this season with the performance.
The 46-point outburst is beginning to earn Boston recognition around the league. He said some Celtics players on the bench called him “Mr. 46” after draining a 3-pointer in front of them.
I forget what they were saying but they were talking crazy before I even caught the ball. As it went up, they were like, ‘Oh, he’s Mr. 46!’ That’s what I heard. I’m going to run with (the nickname).
With a few injuries on the roster, the Clippers have relied more on Boston as of late. He played sparingly to begin the season but is beginning to get into a rhythm on the court, recording back-to-back contests in double figures for the first time.
Boston has certainly shown what he can do given a larger role and his 27-point performance on Wednesday could ensure him of a spot in the rotation moving forward.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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