Detroit Pistons rookie Jaden Ivey on Tuesday erupted with a career performance and joined Hall of Famer Grant Hill in some team history in the process.
Ivey produced 30 points, five assists, four rebounds and one steal in nearly 33 minutes of work in a 126-111 loss to the Utah Jazz. He shot 10-of-14 from the field and 8-of-11 from the free-throw line as the Pistons dropped to 8-25 on the season.
The fifth pick is just the fourth Pistons rookie since Grant Hill in 1995 with a 30-point game and the 20th overall in team history. He also became just the fourth rookie to score 30 points in a game this season.
“I’m just trying to, every game, improve whether it is defensively or offensively,” Ivey said after the game. “Just playing with my energy, speed and just try to do what I can do to help this team. I feel like, as a team, we just have to collectively stay focused together.”
30 PTS (career-high)
5 AST
4 REBA career night for Jaden Ivey. pic.twitter.com/UGIKGFtkFt
— NBA (@NBA) December 21, 2022
Ivey appears to be breaking out of a recent shooting slump.
Since missing three games with knee soreness, Ivey was averaging 11.5 points, 3.5 assists and three rebounds on 35.2% shooting from the field. He is shooting 68% from the field over his last two games, averaging 24.5 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The 20-year-old has been electric on the court this season and is emerging as a cornerstone player for the team. His latest performance on Tuesday showed that he has the potential to take over games and lead the team on a nightly basis.
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