Friday night's home game (ET) against the Indiana Pacers was a special night for LaMarcus Aldridge.
With his trademark mid-range jumper from the elbow, the 6-11 forward crossed the 20,000 points milestone. He became the 48th player in NBA history to do so and the seventh active player to reach and pass that landmark.
There was unfinished business for @aldridge_12.
— Brooklyn Nets (@BrooklynNets) October 30, 2021
The moment he hit 20,000 points 🎥 pic.twitter.com/ARV8ueZgEs
'True blessing," Aldridge said postgame. "Definitely. Didn't think it was going to happen after what happened last year. Stuck with it, fought back and definitely felt good to get it done."
In April last season, the big man was forced to announce his retirement due to an irregular heartbeat condition. However, he was able to return with the squad in September after being fully cleared by doctors.
Along with passing a huge career peak, Aldridge also played a huge role in the team's 105-98 home win over the Indiana Pacers.
"He was great," Nets head coach Steve Nash said postgame. "Obviously scored when we needed it but also stuck to the game plan.
Steve Nash on LaMarcus Aldridge's night
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) October 30, 2021
"That was a really important performance, and to cap it off he went into 20,000 which is incredible territory and a testament to what a career he's had" pic.twitter.com/X9aEC6Gotv
He finished with 21 points and eight rebounds on 10-of-16 shooting from the field in 28 minutes of action. This is the second time this season, through five games, that Aldridge has scored more than 20 points in less than 30 minutes off the bench after previously doing so in Philadelphia last week.
While not considered a contender, he could make a run for the Sixth Man of the Year award if he could continue this level of production off the bench. That said, it's incredible the level he is performing at given the scare last April.
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