On April 22nd in 2000, Karl Malone became the oldest player in NBA history to score 50 points or more in a playoff game. It was Game 1 of the Utah Jazz's first-round series against the Seattle SuperSonics in the 2000 playoffs at the Delta Center (now named Vivint Smart Home Arena).
At 36 years and 273 days, he broke the previous record of 34 years and 69 days set by Michael Jordan when he scored 50 in Game 2 of the Chicago Bulls' first-round series against the Washington Bullets in the 1997 playoffs.
Playing 43 minutes, Malone finished with 18 rebounds and three steals while shooting 18-of-32 from the field and 13-of-14 from the free-throw line as he led the Jazz to a 104-93 win.
Of his 18 field goals, 16 were assisted and 15 of those came from his guards - John Stockton (seven of 10 to Malone) and Jeff Hornacek (eight of 11 to Malone).
The Jazz would eventually beat the SuperSonics in five games (3-2) before being eliminated in the second round of 2000 NBA playoffs by the Portland Trail Blazers (4-1).
Other notable events on April 22nd
- In 1947, the Philadelphia Warriors defeated the Chicago Stars 83-80 in Game 5 to clinch the first-ever NBA championship.
- In 1987, expansion franchises are granted by the league to Charlotte, Miami, Minneapolis and Orlando. The Hornets and the Heat joined the league in 1988-89 while the Timberwolves and the Magic joined in 1989-90.
- In 1988, Charles Oakley grabbed 35 rebounds, the most in the 1980s, as the Chicago Bulls lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 107-103.
- In 1989, John Stockton, by dishing out 1,118 assists, became the first player in NBA history to register consecutive seasons of at least 1,000 assists. He extended that streak to five up through the 1991-92 season.
- In 1990, the San Antonio Spurs, with a 108-93 win against the Phoenix Suns, finished the season 56-26, recording a 35-game improvement over the previous season. At that time it was the best single-season one-year jump in NBA history.
- In 1994, Pat Riley became the 11th head coach ever to record 700 wins as the New York Knicks defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 125-85.
- In 2000, Pat Riley recorded his 150th playoff win as the Miami Heat defeated the Detroit Pistons 95-85 in the first round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
Game-winning buzzer-beaters on April 22nd
Charles Barkley vs. Portland Trail Blazers in 1993
Jim Clemons vs. Washington Bullets in 1976
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