Zach LaVine’s breakout season continued on Friday with a historic 39-point first half, ultimately finishing with 50 in Chicago’s 120-108 loss to Atlanta.
The first-time All-Star shot a sizzling 13-for-19 from the field, including 7-for-9 from 3-point range, before halftime. The performance included an incredible stretch of 25 straight points in the second quarter by the Bulls guard.
LaVine joins Klay Thompson and Kobe Bryant as the only players over the last 20 seasons to score at least 39 in the first half. It marks the most points by a Bulls player in the first half since Michael Jordan in 1997.
The 26-year-old has reached a new level of offensive efficiency in his fourth season with the Chicago Bulls, averaging 27.1 points on 50.7% shooting and 41.5% from deep. His rise has helped Chicago push for its first playoff appearance in half a decade.
Zach LaVine (39 PTS in 1st half) is the third player over the last 20 seasons to score 39+ points in the 1st half, joining Klay Thompson (40 PTS on Dec. 5, 2016) and Kobe Bryant (42 PTS on Mar. 28, 2003). pic.twitter.com/KDuBZwbbkO
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) April 10, 2021