Dwight Howard pulls off historic 30-30 game in Charlotte Hornets' comeback win over Brooklyn Nets

Jay Asser 13:11 22/03/2018
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  • Dwight Howard's scoring average for the season is his highest since 2013-14.

    Dwight Howard is no longer the unstoppable force he once was, but he can still be dominant from time to time.

    And on Wednesday in the Charlotte Hornets’ 111-105 win against the Brooklyn Nets, the big man looked like the Dwight Howard of old to do something that had only been accomplished one other time in the last 36 years.

    The centre scored 32 points and grabbed 30 rebounds – the first 30-30 game since Kevin Love had 31 points and 31 boards in 2010 and just the second since 1982, when Moses Malone had 38 points and 32 rebounds.

    Howard, 32, also became the first player aged 30 or older to record a 30-30 game since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar managed the feat in 1978, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

    For comparison, Wilt Chamberlain had 124 30-30 games in his legendary career.

    Not to be lost in Howard’s monster effort was the fact it helped bring the Hornets back from a 23-point deficit to earn the victory.

    Though Charlotte have faded into obscurity this season, Howard has put together a bounce-back year in his first go-around with the Hornets.

    In 30.5 minutes per game, he’s averaging 16.6 points – the most since his mark of 18.3 in 2013-14 with Houston – 12.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.

    Howard has been particularly impressive in the past eight contests, averaging 23.8 points, 11.9 rebounds and 59.1 per cent shooting overall.

    His days as an MVP candidate and someone who can carry a team to the NBA Finals are in the rearview mirror, but Howard has proven he can still affect the game, even if his skillset doesn’t particularly fit in the modern game.

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