As we approach the halfway point of the 2021-22 NBA season, Raptors guard Fred VanVleet keeps finding new ways to impress.
In the midst of a career season, VanVleet has vaulted himself into All-Star conversations while proving he is more than capable of carrying the torch as the Raptors' new franchise point guard. In conjunction with his natural leadership qualities, VanVleet's play has been a calming presence for the team when things seem to be going awry.
MORE: VanVleet's All-Star path becoming clearer
Case in point? VanVleet's seemingly out-of-body performance against an undermanned Jazz team on Friday. On a night where the Raptors should have dominated from the get-go, the team found themselves trailing in the second half.
That is until Fred VanVleet happened.
MORE: VanVleet leads Raptors to fifth consecutive win
VanVleet scored 24 of his season-high 37 points in the third quarter, almost single-handedly flipping the entire outlook of the game in the final five minutes of the frame. As wild as that sounds, it's even wilder to relive. It's only right we dive straight into it.
Fred VanVleet's third-quarter takeover
Before getting to the play-by-play, let's take a quick moment to set the scene.
With 4:43 remaining in the third quarter, a 3-pointer from Elijah Hughes put the Jazz up 84-70. At that moment, it seemed as though VanVleet recognized the game was slipping away, so he did something about it.
- 4:22 — VanVleet makes 2-point jump shot from 18 feet.
Jazz 84, Raptors 72 - 4:10 — Hughes misses 3-point jump shot, VanVleet rebounds.
- 4:03 — VanVleet makes 3-point jump shot from 25 feet.
Jazz 84, Raptors 75 - 3:49 — Danuel House misses 3-point jumpshot, Pascal Siakam rebounds.
- 3:43 — VanVleet draws shooting foul, goes 2-for-2 from the line.
Jazz 84, Raptors 77 - 3:09 — Malik Fitts misses 2-point shot, Birch rebounds.
- 3:02 — VanVleet makes 3-point jump shot from 25 feet.
Jazz 84, Raptors 80 - 2:40 — VanVleet blocks layup attempt by Trent Forrest. VanVleet rebounds.
- 2:38 — VanVleet makes 2-point layup, draws shooting foul, makes free throw.
Jazz 84, Raptors 83 - 2:25 — Hassan Whiteside lost ball, stolen by VanVleet.
- 2:16 — VanVleet makes 2-point jump shot from 20 feet.
Raptors 85, Jazz 84
In two minutes and six seconds of game time, VanVleet went on a personal 15-0 run over the Jazz in which he shot 5-for-5 from the field, 2-for-2 from 3-point range and 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. According to ESPN Stats and Info, VanVleet is the seventh player to go on such a run in the last 25 seasons and the first since Kawhi Leonard did so in August of 2020.
Fred VanVleet's 1st career triple-double was a dandy. His 37 points are the most in a triple-double in Raptors history.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 8, 2022
VanVleet also became just the 7th player over the last 25 seasons to go on a personal 15-0 run (inc. playoffs), and the 1st since Kawhi Leonard in Aug. 2020. pic.twitter.com/mO32oCdXUH
The Jazz would put an end to their scoring drought at the 1:44 mark of the third quarter but VanVleet wasn't finished, closing the quarter with another layup at the rim, an assist to Chris Boucher, a logo 3-pointer to retake the lead and, for good measure, a steal at the horn.
End of the third quarter: Raptors 94, Jazz 92
By The Numbers: VanVleet's takeover
One shy of a record
In the third quarter, VanVleet finished with 24 points, one shy of the franchise record of 25, set by Pascal Siakam on Jan. 26, 2020.
A perfect third
VanVleet didn't miss a shot in the quarter, going 8-for-8 from the field, 3-for-3 from 3-point range and 5-for-5 from the free throw line.
All-around performance
As if the scoring wasn't impressive enough, VanVleet pulled down three rebounds, dished out three assists and snagged two steals in the third quarter.
The bigger picture
VanVleet recorded his first career triple-double, finishing with 37 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the game. Per the above tweet from ESPN Stats and Info, VanVleet's 37 points are the most in a triple-double in Raptors history.
@FredVanVleet triple double!! About time !! Lol congrats !!! #NBAAllStar
— Kyle Lowry (@Klow7) January 8, 2022
With one down, VanVleet is now 15 triple-doubles shy of tying Lowry for the all-time franchise lead. It may seem like a ways away, but Friday night's performance is a reminder that he's more than capable.
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