On this day nine years ago, Kevin Love dominated the New York Knicks.
The center recorded 31 points and 31 rebounds on Nov. 12, 2010, as his Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Knicks, 112-103, overcoming a 21-point deficit in the third quarter to claim the home victory.
It was the first time an NBA player hauled in 30 or more boards and scored 30 or more points since Moses Malone posted 32 points and 38 rebounds versus the Seattle SuperSonics in 1982 as a member of the Houston Rockets. The last time a player had more than 30 rebounds was in 1996 when Charles Barkley secured 33 in a contest.
Kevin Love Reaction
During the third quarter of the game, Love leaned over to teammate Michael Beasley on the bench and providing foreshadowing for the performance, the AP reported.
“I’m going for 30 tonight,” Love told Beasley.
Beasley was confused as Love only had seven points at that time, prompting the forward to ask, “Thirty what?” Love actually meant rebounds at the time, but as we know now, he didn’t stop at that.
“There was a point where Target Center, the whole crowd was better than I’ve seen it the last couple years,” Love said to the AP. “That was a good moment. A lot of things happened for us and it was a collective effort and they were cheering us on.”
It was special for Beasley, too, who said he would never forget being on the court for a 30-30 showing. He had 35 points and six rebounds of his own and was perfectly content to have it overshadowed.
“Thirty years from now I can say I was on the floor while history was being made,” Beasley said. “It’s great. It’s amazing. Every rebound came off to the guy. Twenty and 20 is one thing. But 30 and 30?”