Pistons guard Malachi Flynn became the unlikeliest player to score 50 points in a game this season, coming off the bench to reach that mark in Wednesday’s loss at Atlanta, writes James L. Edwards of The Athletic. It was an out of character scoring explosion for Flynn, who came into the night averaging 5.8 PPG in 17 games with Detroit since being acquired from New York at the trade deadline.
“It’s tougher to put (in perspective) because you want to win. But it definitely feels good,” Flynn said. “I think in a couple days I’ll be able to put it into perspective.” Flynn added that it’s been a long time since he’s come close to 50 points, telling reporters, “I almost did in high school. I had 49 and my coach took me out. I still have a grudge.”
Flynn played 34 minutes and shot 18-of-25 from the field, 5-of-9 from three-point range and 9-of-12 from the foul line. His outburst set a franchise record for the most points by a reserve and fell one short of the NBA record held by Jamal Crawford. Flynn will be a free agent this summer, and the Pistons can make him restricted with a $5.8MM qualifying offer.
There’s more on the Pistons:
- Jaylen Nowell‘s 10-day contract makes him the 31st player on the roster this season, which ties an NBA record set by this year’s Grizzlies, per Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press. With the team experiencing numerous injuries, Nowell may get a shot at consistent playing time. “I expect him to come in and try to acclimate,” coach Monty Williams said. “He’s a guy that’s scored in segments of his career. I watched him in Minnesota a little bit, and had to scout against him. We know he can score the ball. He’s been around. I don’t want to put it out there what we want from him, we just feel like guys like that, who are hungry and looking for opportunities, allow for us to have more bodies with all the guys we’ve lost this year. But it’s also a chance for a guy to come in and help us win games.”
- The Pistons’ nightmarish season raises questions about general manager Troy Weaver’s future with the franchise, Edwards states in a mailbag column. While he admits any outcome is possible, Edwards’ guess is that Weaver will remain with the team, but a president of basketball operations will be hired to make final decisions on personnel. Edwards also isn’t convinced that Williams will return, even though he signed a record-setting six-year, $78.5MM contract last summer.
- Of the Pistons’ potential restricted free agents, Simone Fontecchio is likely to be back next season, but James Wiseman may not return and Flynn likely won’t, Edwards adds. Fontecchio has been impressive since being acquired from Utah at the deadline, and Edwards sees him as part of the team’s future unless he’s needed for a major trade. Edwards notes that the front office gave Wiseman numerous opportunities, but he hasn’t produced the way they’d hoped. He’s headed for free agency, and it will take a $7.7MM qualifying offer to make him restricted.
- Edwards also isn’t certain about Quentin Grimes‘ future with the Pistons. Grimes, who is under contract for $4.3MM next season, had a knee injury when he was acquired from the Knicks and only appeared in six games with Detroit. He should return, Edwards writes, but that’s not a lock, especially if someone besides Weaver is calling the shots.
I remember all the Raptor, Knick trade haters. Have you noticed at all. Who Achiuwa and Flynn ArE …….
Malachi Flynn scores 50 ……..
talent takes time to show.
link to theathletic.com
lmao what an overreaction. Outside of this game, Flynn has been horrible. Ask any Raptors fan. Or look at his stats in his short time with the Knicks. This is a fluke game. I hope he keeps it up but don’t count on it.
Yeah that’s what this is about ……
One day you might learn……
You have to play. To show. Players can take into their mid 20s. To understand their game in NBA. Teams don’t even get it right.
Malachi Flynn scoring 50 further emphasizes how meaningless any of these regular season games are. Whole teams literally stop putting out any real effort. Dalano Banton, Trendan Watford … The list goes on and on of guys putting up really strong numbers now, and will be fighting for a roster spot on a training camp deal in October.
A) The Hawks have a crap defense.
B) Only two other Pistons players topped 10 points, so the strategy was “if Flynn is the guy beating us, we’re fine”, and
C) It worked. The Hawks still won by a decently comfortable eight points.
Having random guys go off for fifty is fun, tbh. There are always random big games. Tony Delk, Willie Burton, and Corey Brewer are all random dudes who also put up 50-point games.
Is Edwards or HR incorrect here… Grimes has an additional year left on his contract!
You are right. Grimes is signed for next year. While it isn’t clear, my assumption is that they meant he could be used as trade fodder.
I am not paying nobody 5.8 million because of ONE 50 point game lol
The remaining games will help clarify his value.
$5.8 million for one year would have seemed too high 24 hours ago.
If he can show something over the next couple weeks with extended run, $5.8 million doesn’t seem unreasonable.
Look at it this way Wiseman has had many double double with Duren but he is not worth 7mil QO. Why? We shall see who is right. Flynn at least now will get a chance next year with his 50.
You are right, while the article is wrong.
Wiseman has a QO of $15.8M next year (which he would certainly pick up).
Even worse, if he didn’t pick it up, he has a cap hold of $30M!
He’ll either be renounced or signed quickly for less than his cap hold.
His qualifying offer will be $7.7MM since he won’t meet the starter criteria.
Today, it’s not a big surprise that any player scores 50. It no longer requires premium skills, merely the ability to make wide open shots and hit runners going to the basket, and the opportunity to take them.
It’s reminiscent of MLB’s steriod era. But basketball is a game that can be manipulated by modifying the way its officiated, so drugs aren’t needed. Not sure how they’ll do it, but they have to sneak in some defense in the playoffs. The league can’t allow pedestrian talents to go off like this when people are actually watching, as it could upset its promoted hierarchy and related narratives. My guess is the regular season (no defense permitted) rules will apply to the “stars” but they’ll dust off the old rules for the “others”. FWIW, I think that process has already begun.
If you know talent …….. ??
You have to be able to watch it grow. That takes time . No two players develop the same. If you like Flynn …… you saw a PG
He was a 1st rd pick. That Toronto never developed. Had decent first yr. The business side of NBA now has him in Detroit at 24 yrs old. This his 4th yr. Imo he’s more than capable of being a backup PG. just needs a team to believe it. Just play him. You will get solid play from him 20-24 mins. He also has to believe it.
Weakest era ever!!! Flynn dropping 50 smh. Proves this is the weakest since the early 50s defensively and cannot dribble today