SAN ANTONIO — In an electrifying performance, San Antonio Spurs forward Sandro Mamukelashvili made history on Wednesday night by scoring 34 points in just 19 minutes during a game against the New York Knicks. This astonishing feat has placed him in the record books, marking the highest points scored in a game under 20 minutes since the NBA began officially tracking minutes in the 1951-52 season.
During the postgame, an astonished Mamukelashvili expressed his disbelief, saying, ‘I don’t know what happened,’ echoing the amazement felt by both fans and teammates. The excitement in the Frost Bank Center was palpable, with a crowd of 18,521 chanting MVP in support of the star player.
Teammate Jeremy Sochan humorously remarked, ‘Can we get Flavor Flav to stay in San Antonio for a while?’ referring to the rapper, who had shared the spotlight with Mamukelashvili during the game.
Appearing minimally throughout the season, Mamukelashvili has been averaging only 8.9 minutes of playtime. However, when he entered the game 55 seconds into the second quarter, it did not take long for him to leave his mark. His first points came from a hard-fought tip-in, followed by a remarkable three-pointer that fueled the Spurs’ success.
By the end of the quarter, Mamukelashvili had tallied 13 points, shooting an impressive 5-of-6, including three from beyond the arc. As the Spurs led 67-43 at halftime, coach Mitch Johnson stated, ‘You’re just waiting for him to have one of those games,’ alluding to the significant potential the forward possesses.
The third quarter saw Mamukelashvili rest, but he came back in the fourth to dominate once more, scoring an unprecedented 21 points in just enough time to make a major impact. His shooting accuracy was astonishing, hitting all 8 shots taken in that quarter.
Just moments before the chaos that erupted in celebration, Flavor Flav joined Mamukelashvili for an on-court interview, exclaiming through enthusiasm, ‘I don’t care what nobody says. My man is on fire!’
As he reflects on this milestone, Mamukelashvili shared his gratitude, stating, ‘I’m just trying to show everybody that I belong,’ as he continues to strive to improve. The presence of his supportive family members in attendance made the night even more meaningful for the young athlete.
This historic event adds a remarkable chapter to the sport, showing that preparation can indeed pave the way for extraordinary achievements.
