Thursday's A.M. Hot Clicks: Kyrie Irving Explodes for the Cavs

Author:
Andy Gray
Publish date:
Jan 28, 2015

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Kyrie's Big Night

50-Point Scorers Last 11 Years

James Harden (once)

Thirty-four players have scored 50 or more points in a game over the past 11 years, some, of course, more than once. Here's a rundown, beginning with the most recent occurrence -- the 50 James Harden put up against Sacramento on April 1, 2015.

Ray Allen (twice)

51 vs Chicago (April 30, 2009, Pictured) 54 vs Utah (January 12, 2007)

Carmelo Anthony (four)

62 vs. Charlotte (Jan. 24, 2014, Pictured) 50 vs. Miami (April 2, 2013) 50 vs Houston (February 7, 2011) 50 vs New York (November 27, 2009)

Gilbert Arenas (three)

51 vs Utah (January 15, 2007) 54 vs Phoenix (December 22, 2006) 60 vs Lakers (December 17, 2006, Pictured)

Kobe Bryant (23)

50 vs Seattle (April 15, 2007) 50 vs Clippers (April 12, 2007) 50 vs New Orleans (March 23, 2007) 50 vs Minnesota (March 18, 2007) 50 vs Portland (April 14, 2006) 50 vs Phoenix (May 4, 2006) 50 vs Clippers (January 7, 2006) 51 vs Phoenix (April 7, 2006) 51 vs Sacramento (January 19, 2006) 51 vs Denver (February 12, 2003) 52 vs Dallas (March 2, 2008) 52 vs Utah (November 30, 2006) 52 vs Houston (February 18, 2003) 53 vs Memphis (March 28, 2008) 53 vs Houston (March 30, 2007) 53 vs Houston (December 15, 2006) 55 vs Washington (March 28, 2003) 58 vs Charlotte (December 29, 2006) 60 vs Memphis (March 22, 2007) 61 vs New York (February 2, 2009) 62 vs Dallas (December 20, 2005) 65 vs Portland (March 16, 2007) 81 vs Toronto (January 22, 2006, Pictured)

Vince Carter (once)

51 vs Miami (December 23, 2005)

Jamal Crawford (three)

50 vs Toronto (April 11, 2004) 50 vs Charlotte (December 20, 2008, Pictured) 52 vs Miami (January 26, 2007)

Stephen Curry (once)

54 vs. New York (Feb. 27, 2013)

Kevin Durant (four)

51 vs Toronto (March 21, 2014, Pictured) 54 vs. Golden State (Jan. 17, 2014) 52 vs Dallas (January 18, 2013) 51 vs Denver (February 19, 2012)

Richard Hamilton (once)

51 vs New York (December 27, 2006)

Allan Houston (twice)

50 vs Milwaukee (March 16, 2003, Pictured) 53 vs Lakers (February 16, 2003)

Kyrie Irving (twice)

57 vs. San Antonio (March 12,. 2015) 55 vs. Portland (Jan. 28, 2015, Pictured)

Allen Iverson (seven)

50 vs Atlanta (November 29, 2003) 51 vs Lakers (December 5, 2007, Pictured) 51 vs Utah (December 20, 2004) 53 vs Atlanta (Devember 23, 2005) 54 vs Milwaukee (December 18, 2004) 55 vs New Orleans Hornets (April 20, 2003) 60 vs Orlando (February 12, 2005)

LeBron James (ten)

61 vs. Charlotte (March 3, 2014, pictured) 50 vs New York (March 5, 2008) 51 vs Orlando (February 3, 2011) 51 vs Sacramento (March 13, 2009) 51 vs Memphis (January 15, 2008) 51 vs Utah (January 21, 2006) 52 vs New York (February 4, 2009) 52 vs Milwaukee (December 10, 2005) 55 vs Milwaukee (February 20, 2009) 56 vs Toronto (March 20, 2005)

Brandon Jennings (once)

55 vs Golden State (November 14, 2009)

Rashard Lewis (once)

50 vs Clippers (October 31, 2003)

Kevin Love (once)

51 vs Oklahoma City (March 23, 2012)

Tracy McGrady (three)

51 vs Denver (November 14, 2003) 52 vs Chicago (February 21, 2003) 62 vs Washington (March 10, 2004, Pictured)

Kevin Martin (once)

50 vs Golden State (April 1, 2009)

Jamal Mashburn (once)

50 vs Memphis (February 21, 2003)

Andre Miller (once)

52 vs Dallas (January 30, 2010)

Dirk Nowitzki (three)

50 vs Phoenix (June 1, 2006) 51 vs Golden State (March 23, 2006) 53 vs Houston (December 2, 2004, Pictured)

Jermaine O'Neal (once)

55 vs Milwaukee (January 4, 2005)

Tony Parker (once)

55 vs Minnesota (November 5, 2008)

Paul Pierce (once)

50 vs Cleveland (February 15, 2006)

Michael Redd (twice)

52 vs Chicago (March 4, 2007) 57 vs Utah (November 11, 2006, Pictured)

Terrence Ross (one)

51 vs. L.A. Clippers (Jan. 25, 2014)

Brandon Roy (once)

52 vs Phoenix (December 18, 2008)

Damon Stoudamire (once)

54 vs New Orleans Hornets (January 14, 2005)

Amare Stoudemire (once)

50 vs Portland (January 2, 2005)

Klay Thompson (once)

52 vs. Sacramento, Jan. 24, 2015

Dwyane Wade (three)

50 vs Utah (March 14, 2009) 50 vs Orlando (February 22, 2009) 55 vs New York (April 12, 2009, Pictured)

Deron Williams (once)

57 vs Charlotte (March 4, 2012)

Mo Williams (once)

52 vs. Indiana, Jan. 13, 2015

No LeBron. No problem. Kyrie Irving scored a NBA season-high 55 points as the Cavs defeated the Blazers 99-94, putting him in a fraternity of other NBA 50-plus-point scorers over the past decade (see gallery above). Other than a minor injury scare to Kevin Love, it was a perfect night for the Cavs, capped off by Irving's game-clinching three-pointer late in the fourth quarter. LeBron was excited about the performance, both during the game and after.

Super Bowl Notes

The fire alarm went off again last night at the Patriots hotel, making it twice in three nights the team has dealt with a middle-of-the-night disturbance ... A group of fans have started a petition on Change.org to move the Super Bowl to Saturday ... For those wondering what shirtless Pete Carrolllooks like ...Richard Sherman made a good Deflategate joke during a Madden game against Patriots RB Shane Vereen ... The Seahawks' biggest fan may be this 29-inch pony ... Inside the library of Bill Belichick ... A journalist suggested a Skittles ban to get even with Marshawn Lynch ... Gisele and The Brady Bunch are very excited about Sunday's game.

The First 2015 SI Swimsuit Rookie Is...

Yesterday, I tweeted that I'd have the first rookie of the SI Swimsuit Class of 2015 in A.M. Hot Clicks. I jumped the gun on that. She will be revealed at 11 a.m. We will introduce a new rookie every weekday until the issue is released a week from Tuesday. Kate Upton and I apologize for the confusion.

Lovely Lady of the Day

With the newest SI Swimsuit rookie about to be revealed, let's pay tribute to last year's Rookie of the Year, Sara Sampaio (click here for full-size gallery).

Cleavage or Not Cleavage?

There really are Super Bowl prop bets for everything.

Bad Moments in Customer Service

Don't think Mr. Brown was thrilled with the nickname Comcast gave him.

Can't Tell If I Love or Hate These

Scenes From $1 Beer Night

Sad State of the Silverdome

Where's Damien?

From the SI Vault

Edgar Jones, Larry Nance, Ralph Sampson, Orlando Woolridge, Back Row (L-R) Dominique Wilkins, Darrell Griffith, Julius Erving, Michael Cooper and Clyde Drexler :: Getty Images

On this day in 1984, Larry Nance won the NBA's inaugural Slam-Dunk Contest, highlighted by a two-ball windmill dunk. This photo shows all the contestants in the event. For more classic sports photos, visit the SI Vault on Twitter.

Odds & Ends

This pint-sized North Carolina fan has a great pregame ritual ... The Suns practiced at owner Robert Sarver's house due to the Super Bowl craziness in Arizona ... JaMarcus Russell is now hanging out with Rick Ross .... Brian Billick is not a Johnny Manziel fan ... Blazers centerRobin Lopez is in a bizarre feud with the Cavs mascot ... George Gervin isn't so sureKlay Thompson broke his record for most points in a quarter ... Phil Mickelson got fired by his brother from his role as assistant coach of the ASU golf team ... A secret bar hidden behind a Coke vending machine ... The best hotel fireplaces.

Drew Brees Visits Conan

The Saints QB is tested on his knowledge of inflated football.

Lil' Mayo Steals the Show

Gerard Mayo's 4-year-old daughter Chya was the star of Media Day.

[youtube:http://youtu.be/27-hmKNRKuc]

Life of a Rookie

Andrew Wiggins tries to give a postgame interview but Thaddeus Young will have none of it.

Bad Moments in Local Weather

Cory McCloskey, a Phoenix weatherman, rolls with the punches on this one.

Click here for previous versions of Hot Clicks and please take a look at The Daily Cut, our new live and on-demand video platform.