NBA

It was only a matter of time – VanVleet revels in breaking Raptors record

By Sports Desk February 02, 2021 1311

Fred VanVleet said it was "only a matter of time" before he broke the Toronto Raptors' record for most points in a game as he made history on Tuesday.

VanVleet went 17-of-23 from the field and 11-of-14 from three-point range to post 54 points in the Raptors' 123-108 victory over the Orlando Magic.

The guard's performance broke the Raptors record previous held by DeMar DeRozan (52).

"It was only a matter of time," a smiling VanVleet told Sportsnet after his performance.

"Every time I get a 30 or a 34 I usually get a text from DeMar telling me that I'm weak for not passing his record so I definitely had him in mind as I got close down the stretch."

VanVleet became the first player in NBA history to have 50-plus points, 10-plus three-pointers made, three-plus blocks and three-plus steals in a game, as per Stats Perform.

He is also the first guard to have 50-plus points, three-plus blocks and three-plus steals in a game since Michael Jordan in April 1987.

"It's just time. It was time. I've been missing a lot of open ones this season, more than I usually do," VanVleet said.

"But it was time and sometimes you hit that groove and you just find that zone and tonight I was able to do that.

"My team-mates did an unbelievable job of finding me and screening for me and getting me the ball in my spots. A lot of them were just catch and shoots."

The Raptors improved to 9-12 with their win.

Last modified on Wednesday, 03 February 2021 06:47
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