This Date in NBA History (Nov. 2): Warriors 'Run TMC' trio star in record-setting game in 1990 and more

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Tim Hardaway Sr., Mitch Richmond, Chris Mullin

On November 2nd in 1990, the opening night of the 1990-91 NBA season, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Denver Nuggets 162-158. The 320 combined points are the fourth-most in an NBA game and the most-ever in a regulation game. 

As of Oct. 2020, three of the six highest-scoring games in NBA history have been played at the McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado - the site for this contest. 

The Warriors' legendary trio of Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, or 'Run TMC' led from the front in this one, combining for 99 points. Mullin scored a game-high 38 points on 16-of-25 shooting from the field while also recording nine rebounds, five assists, and five steals. Hardaway recorded a double-double of 32 points and 18 assists while Richmond chipped in with 29 points. 

Tim Hardaway Sr., Mitch Richmond, Chris Mullin

Golden State's superior 63-of-109 (57.8%) shooting from the field, helped them win the contest despite committing a game-high 22 turnovers. For the Nuggets, seven players finished in double figures led by Orlando Woolridge's 37 points and 33 points by reserve guard Walter Davis.

With this being a non-overtime game, the only way both teams reach the record tallies is with a lot of time stoppages. Both teams committed 38 fouls apiece in this game with the Warriors shooting 34-of-49 (69.4%) from the free-throw line while the Nuggets knocked down 40 of their 55 attempts (72.7%) from the charity stripe. 

For the Warriors, the 162 points are the second-most scored in franchise history while the Nuggets' 158 are the fifth-highest in franchise history

Other notable events on Nov. 2

  • In 1946, Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach made his coaching debut as the head coach of the Washington Capitols in a 50-33 road win against the Detroit Falcons.
  • In 1990, the Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz played the first regular-season game outside North America by any major professional sports league at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Japan. The Suns defeated the Jazz 119-96 in this one while the Jazz won the return leg the next day. 

Pat Riley

  • In 1996, Pat Riley became the eighth coach in NBA history to win 800 games as the Miami Heat defeated the New York Knicks 97-95 in Indiana. Achieving this feat a couple of weeks before 15-year anniversary of his coaching debut, Riley set the record for being the quickest coach to 800 wins.
  • In 2005, Andrew Bynum's five-minute debut for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Denver Nuggets made him the youngest player ever to play in a regular-season NBA game at 18 years & six days. He broke Jermaine O’Neal’s 10-year old record by 46 days.

Game-winning buzzer-beater on Nov. 2

Eric Bledsoe vs. Portland Trail Blazers in 2016

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