What Caris LeVert did on Tuesday that no NBA player has in 20 years

Caris LeVert eclipsed the 50-point mark for the first time in his NBA career. But there was more to the Nets wing’s night in Boston.

Any time a player scores 50 points in a game, it’s a big deal. In Caris LeVert’s case, he scored 51 on an efficient 17-for-26 shooting (5-for-10 from deep, 12-for-18 at the free-throw line), which only makes his performance more impressive.

But the fact the Nets wing scored a career-high is only the beginning.

LeVert entered the fourth quarter having scored 14 points. He went on to score 26 in the final quarter of regulation, setting a new fourth quarter career-high.

Between the fourth quarter and overtime — which LeVert forced when he made three free throws with 0.2 seconds left on the clock — the Nets wing scored 37 points. His combined total between the two quarters is the most by any NBA player in the last 20 seasons, according to ESPN:

Furthermore, LeVert came one point shy of tying a franchise high in points against the Celtics. Mike Newlin scored 52 back in December of 1979 at home. LeVert’s 51 points are the most by a Nets player in Boston.

Lastly, although Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker scored 70 points against the Celtics back in 2017, LeVert is only the second player to drop 50-plus on Boston since the turn of the century.