Little-known NBA player drops career-high stats to keep season alive – but is shocked to find out they won’t actually count
A little-known NBA player had the game of his life.
But even after scoring a game-high 42 points on a highly efficient 15-of-21 shooting, Coby White's statistics won't count.
The brief NBA Play-In Tournament is sandwiched between an 82-game regular season and a two-month playoff run.
White scored a career-high 42 points as the Chicago Bulls kept their season alive by beating the Atlanta Hawks 131-116 on Thursday.
Yet when White was told his huge 42 technically won't be part of his career stats, the former No. 7 overall pick from North Carolina shrugged off the information and just pointed at the facts.
"I'm definitely counting that as my career high," White said laughing. "It's on the stat sheet right here."
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The fifth-year guard then picked up a printed-out sheet on a small podium and touched the piece of paper with his finger, letting everyone know that his superb 42-point outing couldn't be taken away.
White was loudly cheered by Bulls fans in the 15-point victory for a team that finished the regular season in ninth place in the Eastern Conference and with a losing record (39-43).
Atlanta' season is finished after the loss.
White heard his name proudly chanted in Chicago, five years after he became an NBA Draft viral meme when he kept saying "Wow!" with a stunned reaction.
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“It was a dope moment for that to happen,” White said. “I'm thankful for the fans. It felt like a playoff vibe. The place was rocking tonight.”
Officially, White's career high is still listed as 37 points, which he scored in March during a 113-109 road victory over the Sacramento Kings, who are also trying to advance to the Western Conference playoffs.
But Bulls fans and NBA devotees won't forget White's magical 42, when he wowed basketball watchers across the globe by shredding the Hawks and sending Trae Young home early in 2024.
White set career highs in average points (19.1), minutes (36.5), rebounds (4.5) and assists (5.1) this season as he became a full-time starter for the first time.
He'll always have the stat sheet to prove he dropped 42 in a play-in game.
And he's guaranteed one more contest on Saturday, when the Bulls face the Miami Heat for the final playoff position in the East.
"Star in making," a fan tweeted.
"MOST IMPROVED PLAYER," a second fan posted.
"Couldn't happen to a better dude," a third fan wrote.