Detroit, MI – Malachi Flynn of the Detroit Pistons made headlines on Wednesday night with a remarkable 50-point performance in their game against the Atlanta Hawks. This exceptional feat marks one of only three instances since 1970-71 where a player off the bench has scored 50 points or more in a single game.
Flynn expressed mixed emotions about his achievement, acknowledging the importance of winning while also savoring the moment. The 50 points not only set a new Pistons franchise record for a reserve player but also served as a career-high for Flynn, surpassing his previous best of 27 points.
In a game where Flynn displayed exceptional shooting accuracy, going 18-for-25 from the field and 9-for-12 at the free-throw line, he also contributed significantly in other areas with 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. His performance stood out, particularly with his career average of 5.2 points prior to this game, making him the first player in NBA history with such a low scoring average to reach the 50-point mark.
Despite Flynn’s stellar performance, the Pistons ultimately fell to the Hawks with a score of 121-113. Flynn’s impact on the game was evident as he continually responded to the Hawks’ efforts to pull away, keeping the Pistons within striking distance until late in the fourth quarter when Atlanta secured their spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.
Notably, the absence of starting point guard Cade Cunningham, who was sidelined due to a knee injury, forced Jaden Ivey into the starting lineup for the Pistons. This lineup change, coupled with Flynn’s exceptional performance, showcased the resilience of the Pistons in the face of adversity.
With the loss to the Hawks, the Pistons’ struggles continue, as they have now lost 10 of their last 11 games. The team will need to regroup and refocus as they look to turn their fortunes around in the remaining games of the season.