Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving scores NBA season-high 55 points to beat Blazers
Even without LeBron James, the Cavaliers extended their winning streak to eight games on Wednesday thanks to a 55-point effort from Kyrie Irving in a 99-94 victory over the Blazers.
Irving's point total marked a career-high, eclipsing his previous high of 44 points against Charlotte on April 5, 2014. The double-nickel also set a new NBA high for the 2014-15 season, eclipsing 52-point efforts by Timberwolves guard Mo Williams and Warriors guard Klay Thompson.
[youtube:http://youtu.be/vcNGt2CRzzw]
The two-time All-Star's record-setting night was capped by this go-ahead three-pointer with 6.4 seconds remaining.
The last player to score 55 or more points in the NBA was James, who posted a career-high 61 points for Miami against Charlotte on March 3, 2014. James sat out Wednesday night's game against Portland with a right wrist sprain suffered during a win over Detroit on Tuesday.
Most points since start of 2010-11 season
- Carmelo Anthony, Knicks: 62 vs. Bobcats on Jan. 24, 2014
- LeBron James, Heat: 61 vs. Bobcats on March 3, 2014
- Deron Williams, Nets: 57 vs. Bobcats on March 4, 2012
- Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers: 55 vs. Blazers on Jan. 28, 2015
- Kevin Durant, Thunder: 54 vs. Warriors on Jan. 17, 2014
- Stephen Curry, Warriors: 54 vs. Knicks on Feb. 27, 2013
Irving's final line: 55 points (on 17-for-36 shooting, 11-for-19 three-point shooting and 10-for-10 free-throw shooting), five assists, four rebounds and two steals in 39 minutes. The 11 three-pointers shattered Irving's previous career-high of six threes. Here's a look at his full shot chart:
added 14 points and five assists.
• MORE NBA:LeBron dances to celebrate Irving's record night
Cleveland improved to 27-20. Portland fell to 32-14
GALLERY: 50-POINT SCORERS OVER THE LAST 11 YEARS
50-Point Scorers Last 11 Years
James Harden (once)
Ray Allen (twice)
Carmelo Anthony (four)
Gilbert Arenas (three)
Kobe Bryant (23)
Vince Carter (once)
Jamal Crawford (three)
Stephen Curry (once)
Kevin Durant (four)
Richard Hamilton (once)
Allan Houston (twice)
Kyrie Irving (twice)
Allen Iverson (seven)
LeBron James (ten)
Brandon Jennings (once)
Rashard Lewis (once)
Kevin Love (once)
Tracy McGrady (three)
Kevin Martin (once)
Jamal Mashburn (once)
Andre Miller (once)
Dirk Nowitzki (three)
Jermaine O'Neal (once)
Tony Parker (once)
Paul Pierce (once)
Michael Redd (twice)
Terrence Ross (one)
Brandon Roy (once)
Damon Stoudamire (once)
Amare Stoudemire (once)
Klay Thompson (once)
Dwyane Wade (three)
Deron Williams (once)
Mo Williams (once)