By January 1996, Jason Kidd had already shown that he was capable of being a star in the NBA. At this point J-Kidd had already won Co-Rookie of the Year honors the year prior and he was just weeks away from his first of 10 NBA All-Star appearances.
However, on Jan. 30, 1996, Kidd delivered one of the best performances of his career, one that displayed the type of player he would go on to be throughout his illustrious NBA career. Kidd led his Dallas Mavericks against the Los Angeles Clippers and affected the game in every way imaginable.
J-Kidd dropped 21 points, dished 16 assists and snatched 16 rebounds, posting his eighth triple-double out of what would ultimately end up as 107 career triple-doubles. However, this one was unique as it was Kidd’s only triple-double in which he scored 20 points and added both 15 rebounds and assists.
Further, the 20-15-15 triple-double is one of just 36 recorded in NBA history.
All game long, Kidd commanded the attention of Clippers’ defenders, and throughout the night, Kidd sliced through them, getting to the bucket seemingly at will and always finding the open man with pinpoint accuracy.
And when left open, Kidd knocked down his jumpers, making three out of six of his three-point attempts on the night.
Perhaps lost in all the individual highlights and accolades is that this game came down to the wire, with Dallas ultimately prevailing 105-101, making just enough plays down the stretch to secure a win.