5 Craziest stat lines in the modern NBA

The modern NBA has seen some crazy individual performances and some amazing statistical accomplishments. From shooters such as Klay Thompson to athletic freaks such as Russell Westbrook, players have recorded incredible numbers in the NBA.

This article will analyze the five best individual performances we've seen in the modern NBA; looking at players recording an insane number of points, rebounds, assists, or any statistical figures that are extraordinary.

Note that games as far back as 2006 are included in this list. If an all-time list was made for the same topic, I could probably fill it up entirely with only Wilt Chamberlain. By doing the modern NBA, I've tried to diversify. Here are the five most astonishing performances by payers in the modern NBA.

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#5 Russell Westbrook's 57-Point Triple Double

March 29, 2017, against the Orlando Magic: 57 Points, 13 Rebounds, 11 Assists

Russell Westbrook making 2 of his 57 points against the Orlando Magic

Russell Westbrook scored 57 points in a triple-double effort, which, at the time, made for the highest scoring triple-double in NBA history, breaking the previous record held by James Harden (tied with Wilt Chamberlain) for 53 points. Marking the 38th triple-double of the season for Westbrook, he led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 114-106 victory against the Orlando Magic, contributing largely to his contention for MVP that season.

Westbrook led the comeback against the Magic, with the Thunder trailing by as much as 21 in the third. Westbrook scored an astounding 19 points in the final six minutes of regulation, and another seven in overtime.

In a game without Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook was the key for OKC in the victory. Down three points with 7.1 seconds to go, Westbrook drilled a wild, off-balance three-pointer from 31 feet out to send the game into overtime, post which the Thunder won it.

The 21 point comeback is the largest that the Thunder has ever seen since they moved their franchise to Oklahoma. Even though Westbrook's game didn't start off all that well, recording seven turnovers in the first eight minutes of the game, he picked up the pace from there on, not recording a single turnover for the rest of the night.

"That is definitely a blessing", Westbrook told reporters when asked about how he felt recording the highest scoring triple-double of all time. "I definitely don't take this game for granted, and I try to come out each night and try to compete at a high level. That is definitely something that is a blessing and definitely something I can be proud of."

#4 Klay Thompson's 60 Points in 29 Minutes

December 5, 2016, against the Indiana Pacers: 60 Points, 2 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 29 Minutes.

Klay Thompson against the Indiana Pacers

Klay Thompson scored 60 points in the Golden State Warriors' 142-106 win over the Indiana Pacers. He was 8-14 from 3-point range, and 13-19 on 2-pointers. As amazing as scoring 60 points is, what makes Thompson's feat so noteworthy is that he did so in just three quarters.

Thompson scored his 60 points in just 29 minutes of action and sat out for the entirety of the fourth quarter. This just makes you wonder, how much would he have scored had he played the fourth? The numbers say he would've surpassed Kobe's 81 points, since his points-per-minute (2.07) was more than Kobe's (1.98). Thompson is the first player in NBA history to score 60 points or more in less than 30 minutes of action.

One crazy stat from the game is the amount of time Thompson held the ball. Unbelievably, Thompson had the ball in his hands for only about 90 seconds throughout the entire game. Only one of his 21 field goals was unassisted, which just shows us how amazing of a catch and shoot player he is. Another mental figure - the number of dribbles that Thompson took the entire game, 11. It only took him 11 dribbles to score 60 points. Mind-blowing.

So could he have scored 80 points? "I think I could have. Maybe one day I'll have the opportunity, but 60 in 29 minutes isn't too bad. I'm satisfied with that."

#3 Devin Booker's 70 Point Game

March 24, 2017, against the Boston Celtics: 70 Points, 8 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 3 Steals.

Devin Booker celebrating during his 70-point performance

Devin Booker scored a phenomenal 70 points in the Phoenix Sun's 130-120 loss against the Boston Celtics. Becoming only the 6th NBA player ever to score 70 points or more, Devin Booker had a historical night. He is the youngest player ever to score 60 points or more, at just 20 years old.

The most points ever from a player since Kobe's 81 in 2006, Booker made 70 after a 6-game losing streak. He finished 4-11 from the three-point line, 21-40 overall, and an astounding 24-26 from the free throw line, in just his second season in the NBA. Booker had just 19 points at the half, but went on a scoring streak in the second, scoring 51 points in the second half (28 in the fourth quarter).

Despite Booker's offensive prowess, the Celtics never trailed in the entire game, leading by as much as 26 points at one point. Phoenix had already been eliminated from playoff contention, and with most of the roster out due to injuries or 'rest', Booker's 70 was definitely something to celebrate despite the loss.

Phoenix Suns coach Earl Watson used timeouts and fouls to increase Booker's score towards the end of the game. Seeing that he was nearing 70, they used 2 timeouts in the closing minutes to get him some extra possessions, even fouling the Celtics when the Suns were down by as much as 15 to get Booker the ball quicker.

"This doesn't happen very often, especially against a really good defensive team like the Boston Celtics", said Booker. "It's a zone. It's kind of hard to explain. I've been in these zones before, but never to this extent."

#2 James Harden's 60 Point Triple-Double

January 31, 2018, against the Orlando Magic: 60 Points, 10 Rebounds, 11 Assists, 4 Steals.

James Harden running the ball up against the Orlando Magic

James Harden scored 60 points in a triple-double effort in the 114-107 win against the Orlando Magic. His 60 points came on 19-30 shooting, along with 17-18 from the free throw line. In a game without Chris Paul and Trevor Ariza, and only 10 minutes from Eric Gordon, Harden more than stepped up, going on an unbelievable scoring spree.

Harden's 60 points is a Houston Rockets' franchise record, surpassing the previous 57. The first-ever player in the NBA to record a triple-double with 60 points or more, Harden made history. He got his 60th point of a four-point play, fouled beyond the arc, making his shot. Harden's 60 points were the most recorded in a single game in the 2017-18 season, surpassing LeBron's 57.

With just under four minutes remaining, the game was tied at 107. Neither team scored for around two minutes after that; until Harden took over. He made six straight points in the last two minutes, recording his 60th point. Harden grabbed his 10th rebound with about a minute left in the fourth, recording a triple-double.

Harden played over 46 minutes that night with three of the Rockets' key players out due to injuries. Late in the second quarter, Eric Gordon had to step out due to back troubles. Harden didn't step out of the game after that.

"It's a good feeling, I guess. Just try to go out there and make an impact every single night on the game, however I can. Whether it's scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, whatever it is. And tonight, I guess I was doing everything."

#1 Kobe Bryant's 81 Point Game

January 22, 2006, against the Toronto Raptors: 81 Points, 6 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 3 Steals.

Kobe Bryant looking up at the scoreboard in the final seconds of his 81-point performance

Kobe Bryant scored an astounding 81 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 122-104 victory against the Toronto Raptors. The Lakers made a comeback victory at home, led by Kobe, on 28-46 shooting, including 7-13 from beyond the arc, and 18-20 from the free throw line.

In a season where Bryant led the league in scoring with 35.4 PPG, he torched the Toronto Raptors with 81 points. With the Lakers trailing by 18 points in the third quarter, Kobe went on a shooting clinic, scoring 54 points in the second half. Kobe was solely responsible for all but 18 points that the Lakers made in the second half.

Kobe's 81 points mark the second-most points ever scored in a single game, trailing Wilt Chamberlain's 100 points back in the 60's. Previously in the season, Kobe scored 62 points in three quarters against the Mavericks. With the outcome already sealed, the Lakers decided that he should sit out the fourth. This time, trailing by 13, he decided to play the entire game, and scored 81.

Bryant, known for his ability to shoot contested jumpers, used this to his finest. In the second half, repeatedly, he got the ball, drove it up the court, took a shot that seemed impossible, and sunk it. The shots Kobe took that night were the shots that the defense wanted him to take, shots that any coach would consider bad shots. But Kobe made them, shooting 61% overall.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet. I wanted to step up and help win this game, and it turned into something special", said Kobe to reporters after the game. "I was locked in, determined, tuned in to what was going on out there. Not even in my dreams. It's just something that happened. It's tough to explain. I wanted to keep riding the wave."