Rockets: NBA community reacts to Kevin Porter Jr’s historic night

On Thursday night the Houston Rockets gave their fans an absolute treat, as they pulled away from the 2018-19 and 2019-20 Eastern Conference champion Milwaukee Bucks in a high-scoring 143-136 victory that came down to the wire. The Rockets got stellar performances from Christian Wood, who had 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Kelly Olynyk poured in his usually reliable contributions of 24 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists.

The Rockets also got a steady dosage of D.J. Wilson off the bench, as he had 15 points and 12 rebounds, while shooting 60 percent from 3-point range, in a revenge game against the same Bucks that dealt him at the trade deadline for P.J. Tucker. But with all of that being said, Rockets star guard Kevin Porter Jr. was simply sensational, to describe it best.

NBA community reacts to historic night from Houston Rockets star Kevin Porter Jr.

The Bucks simply had no answer for Porter, despite putting elite defensive guard Jrue Holiday on Porter, and to no avail. Porter had 50 points on 16-of-26 and 9-of-15 from long-range, while pouring in 11 assists and 5 rebounds.

Porter was also 9-of-11 from the free-throw line and had true shooting splits of 81.1 percent and an effective field goal percentage of 78.8 percent. Furthermore, the Houston Rockets 20-year-old became the youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points while also dishing out 10+ assists.

Kevin Porter Jr. (50 PTS, 11 AST) is the youngest player in NBA history (20 years, 360 days) with 50+ points and 10+ assists in a game.

LeBron James (50 PTS, 10 AST on March 5, 2008) was the youngest previously, at 23 years, 66 days. pic.twitter.com/HT3lWmxA6r

— NBA History (@NBAHistory) April 30, 2021

Porter also became the youngest player in Houston Rockets franchise history to score 50 points, and explained the key to his record-breaking performance immediately after the game.

“Once a scorer gets that rhythm, you’ve just got to keep being aggressive and they’re going to all fall. Once you see 2 go in, it’s like the rim isn’t there.

I felt good tonight. I needed this one. My team kept me confident out there.

Last time out I had a rough one, but I came out tonight and gave it my all, and we got the win.”

Porter delivered the performance heard ’round the league, as many players were gushing over his 50-burger.

HOOP game!!!! https://t.co/YHqnZkPD1t

— Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) April 30, 2021

Damn @Kevinporterjr go crazy then ?

— Zach LaVine (@ZachLaVine) April 30, 2021

scoot killing rn ? @Kevinporterjr

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) April 30, 2021

Porter’s historic game also drew praise from several former players, including 2008 NBA champion Kendrick Perkins.

Just think the Cavs gave Kevin Porter Jr. up for nothing!!! The man had a 50 piece wing dinner Spicy with 10 biscuits on the side with the W tonight. Shoutout to John Lucas who has been mentoring the young man. That’s all he needed was a lil off the court guidance! Carry on…

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) April 30, 2021

Three-time Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford, who knows a thing or two about scoring 50 points, also chimed in on Porter’s game on social media, which Porter responded to.

Appreciate the invite brotha aha ??

— Scoot (@Kevinporterjr) April 30, 2021

NBA TV’s Dennis Scott, who spent 10 years in the NBA and faced off against the Houston Rockets in the 1995 NBA Finals also lauded Porter’s 50-point performance on NBA GameTime.

“Euro-stepping, losing his man off the dribble, finding his bag, shooting the 3. Just one of those nights.

I think tonight he gave us a little bit of everything. This was a Porter Jr. type of night.

We knew the talent was there. At draft night he slipped a little bit, so hopefully he can build on a night like tonight and get his career started the right way.”

As Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone prepares for what will surely be an active offseason, he can find solace in knowing that the franchise acquired a star in Porter for a second-round pick that is unlikely to convey.

I would imagine we’ll see more performances by the Houston Rockets star that will leave the NBA community in awe, much like he did on Thursday night.