PHOENIX SUNS

Suns’ Crawford sets new NBA record with 51-point outing in season finale

Apr 9, 2019, 8:38 PM | Updated: 11:35 pm
Phoenix Suns guard Jamal Crawford shoots during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game ag...
Phoenix Suns guard Jamal Crawford shoots during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Last game of the season, why not go out with a bang?

That seemed to be Phoenix Suns guard Jamal Crawford’s thought process as he dropped 51 points in the team’s season finale Tuesday night.

Although Phoenix couldn’t take home the victory, falling 120-109 to Dallas, Crawford did just about everything to keep his team in the game.

Down 31 points in the third quarter, Crawford led the Suns back into the game, bringing the score to 107-103 with 3:39 left to play in the Suns’ season.

The guard played 38 minutes, shooting 60 percent from the field (53.8 percent from long range) to go along with five assists, five rebounds, one block and one steal.

The next closest Suns scorer was Josh Jackson, who finished with 17 points.

The team couldn’t complete the comeback, but Crawford joined some pretty stellar company with his final performance of the 2018-19 season.

With his 51-point performance, Crawford became the oldest player (39 years, 20 days) in NBA history to drop 50 in a single outing, passing Michael Jordan’s 45-point total he accomplished in 2001 as a member of the Washington Wizards.

But that’s not all.

Crawford set another feat Tuesday night, becoming the first player in NBA history with 50-point games for four different franchises (Bulls, Knicks, Warriors, Suns).

He finished one-point shy of his career-high 52 points, which he had in 2007 as a member of the Knicks.

Not bad for a vet who came off the bench Tuesday night.

Fans cheer after Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki made a 3-point basket during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) 
              CORRECTS MONTH TO APRIL, INSTEAD OF MARCH  - Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki waves to cameras as he arrives for the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
            
              CORRECTS MONTH TO APRIL, INSTEAD OF MARCH - Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki arrives for the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
            
              CORRECTS MONTH TO APRIL, INSTEAD OF MARCH - Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki arrives for the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
            Phoenix Suns guard De'Anthony Melton (14) goes up for a shot as Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (41) and Devin Harris (34) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Dwight Powell (7) turns Phoenix Suns guard Elie Okobo (2) away on a shot attempt during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Phoenix Suns guard Elie Okobo (2) gets past Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell (7) for a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki fans hold up signs reading, "One more year," during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. The team was playing its final home game of the season. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) A fan holds up a sign referring to Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) shoots over Phoenix Suns' Dragan Bender (35) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Phoenix Suns' Troy Daniels (30) watches as forward Ray Spalding (26) defends against a shot by Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (41) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) and Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrate a 3-point basket by Nowitzki during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Phoenix Suns guard Jamal Crawford shoots during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Devin Harris (34) and Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrate a basket by Nowitzki during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks forward Luka Doncic (77) and Phoenix Suns coach Igor Kokoskov talk before an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki  runs upcourt during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (41) is introduced for the team's NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrates a basket against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Tuesday, April 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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