The Memphis Grizzlies had very little to play for in their regular season finale on Sunday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, already securing the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. They mostly played their bench players, which allowed rookie forward Kenneth Lofton Jr. to start his first game and make NBA history in the process.
Lofton Jr. has only played in 23 games this season, splitting time between the Grizzlies NBA squad and their G-League affiliate. He impressively earned himself G-League MVP honors this season at the lower level.
However, Sunday’s game presented an amazing opportunity for him to show off his skills at the NBA level, and he did so in a massive way.
Lofton finished the game with 42 points along with 14 rebounds while hitting 17-of-25 shots from the field in a losing effort.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. had a career day 😤
42 PTS (career-high)
14 REB
68% FG pic.twitter.com/NlUZvh3bZg— NBA (@NBA) April 9, 2023
He came into Sunday’s game averaging only averaging 3.4 points per game. Needless to say, Sunday’s game was a career-high in both points and rebounds.
Considering it was his first NBA start, it is certainly an eye-opening performance. His 43 points in his first start is the most from any rookie dating back to 1970.
Kenneth Lofton Jr. Scored 42 points today in his first career NBA start.
Since 1970, that is the most points scored by an #NBA rookie in his first career start.
A rookie has scored 40+ points 61 times since 1970. Junior is only one to do it in his first start. #BigMemphis
— Shawn Coleman (@StatsSAC) April 9, 2023
The Thunder were also playing their bench players with their seeding also solidified. Regardless, Lofton’s performance certainly caught the attention of the NBA world.
Kenneth Lofton Jr's career-night vs. OKC
🐻❄️ 42 PTS (career-high)
🐻❄️ 14 REB (career-high)
🐻❄️ 17-25 FGGrizzlies found a Grizzly! pic.twitter.com/M0eroJDVk0
— Sportskeeda Basketball (@Basketball_SK) April 10, 2023
Kenneth Lofton Jr. balled OUT for Memphis against OKC 👀
🔥 42 PTS (career-high)
🔥 14 REB
🔥 17-25 FG🎥 @NBApic.twitter.com/vjKckcrOre
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) April 9, 2023
G-League MVP Kenneth Lofton Jr. Dropped 42 points and 14 boards today in OKC pic.twitter.com/I2h4iZSuXk
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) April 9, 2023
Kenneth Lofton Jr 40 BALL 🗣️
42 PTS
17/25 FG
14 REBMemphis got a GEM 💎 @itzjunior35 pic.twitter.com/zsnPxZILW5
— Overtime (@overtime) April 9, 2023
Kenneth Lofton Jr. is the first #NBA rookie in over a decade, and only the 5th rookie over the past 30 years, to produce 40+ points and 10+ rebounds in a game.
Last 5 players to do it:
Junior
Blake Griffin
Kevin Durant
Elton Brand
Shaq #BigMemphis— Shawn Coleman (@StatsSAC) April 9, 2023
It is obviously only one game, but it looks like the Grizzlies could have an extremely promising young talent on their hands in Kenneth Lofton Jr.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.