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After Dropping 41 Against the Knicks, Jordan Poole Ties Michael Jordan’s 22YO Record

Published 10/19/2023, 3:25 PM EDT

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Jordan Poole, the Washington Wizards’ newest star, carved his name in the history books. By dropping 41 points against the New York Knicks, he left the spectators speechless. And with his stunning display of basketball brilliance, he captivated the fan’s attention throughout the game. This offseason, the Wizards acquired Poole, a former player of the Golden State Warriors, by trading NBA veteran Chris Paul for him.

Poole, however, had an amazing night at Madison Square Garden, smashing a 22-year-old record and upgrading his NBA standing. This 22-year-old record was of the NBA legend, Michael Jordan.

Jordan Poole broke a 22-year-old record

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Poole’s career has been nothing short of turbulent. After a well-publicized incident with former teammate Draymond Green during a training camp, the Warriors dealt him to the Washington Wizards. The decision shocked the NBA community, and many questioned what the future contained for the third Splash Brother.

However, Jordan Poole is no longer in the background but in the center of the Wizards’ attack. With Kyle Kuzma out against the New York Knicks in a preseason game, Poole took advantage of the chance. He tried to show off his skills, laying the groundwork for what could be an exciting regular season.

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Read More: Days After Drawing Parallels to James Harden, Jordan Poole Lights Up for Preseason High in Ex-MVP’s Old Stomping Ground

Poole delivered a great performance at the Madison Square Garden. He ended the game with 41 points, making six of twelve three-point tries. What’s more astounding is that 29 of those points came in the first half alone. This scoring outburst by the 24-year-old point guard stunned the MSG audience.

In addition to his scoring spree, Jordan Poole tied a franchise record, something only one exceptional player had accomplished. According to basketball reference, his 41 points in the game tied a record set in 2001 by none other than the legendary Michael Jordan. Poole’s name now sits among basketball legends as a testimony to his exceptional talent and hard ethic.

Poole has been outstanding during the preseason, averaging 23.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in only 23 minutes of action. These numbers, together with his historic performance at Madison Square Garden, have not only established him as a viable contender for the Most Improved Player of the Year award but have also established him as one of the NBA’s most exciting prospects. But then if Poole is such a great player, why did the Warriors trade him?

Why did the Golden State Warriors trade Poole?

During the summer, the Golden State Warriors made a surprise transaction that sent shockwaves around the NBA. Jordan Poole, the youthful prospect fondly known as “JP3” was a key member of the Warriors’ championship-winning 2021-22 squad. He found himself on a different road, traveling to the Washington Wizards in exchange for seasoned great Chris Paul. While the deal raised eyebrows and sparked debate, it became clear that multiple factors influenced the Warriors’ decision to part ways with the emerging star.

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Financial reasons and roster dynamics were factors that played an important part in Poole’s exit from the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors’ salary was approaching stratospheric proportions, and financial flexibility became critical.

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The trade of “JP3” to the Wizards gave the squad a much-needed breathing room. Furthermore, the trade of Jordan Poole indicated a change in team chemistry. Draymond Green was a key component in the Warriors’ recent success. He, however, had lost some of his clout during a preseason brawl with Poole. Green admitted that after the episode, he couldn’t operate as the leader he previously was.

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Green’s value to the club, however, was made clear by coach Steve Kerr and superstars Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, who thought that keeping Green was critical to the Warriors’ title hopes. While unexpected, the deal was a deliberate decision to balance the team’s needs and objectives in an extremely competitive NBA landscape.

Watch this Story: Garbage Fans Trash Jordan Poole After Stephen Curry-Chris Paul Duo Looks “Scary”

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Written by:

Dhruv Shastry

720Articles

One take at a time

Dhruv is an NBA writer at ES with years of playing experience to name. Despite the ankle injury barring him from playing further, he never lost touch with the sport. He loves the swag and the attitude basketball players possess.
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Edited by:

Saumya Khanduja