ARCO Memories: Webber’s Historic Performance
Mar 8, 2022, 8:07 AM | Updated: 9:57 am
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
When you look back at some of the greatest performances of all time on an NBA floor, the names Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor are two that come to mind.
Dominance. That’s what those two players brought to the hardwood every night. Unstoppable forces in the paint coupled with elite rebounding that no opposing player can contest.
On January 5, 2001, Chris Webber took a page out of the legendary book of Chamberlain and Baylor.
The Sacramento Kings legend scored a career-high 51 points on 24-of-47 shooting from the field go along with a career-high 26 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks over 49 minutes.
Although Webber was a freight train in every aspect against the Pacers defense during regulation, the Hall of Fame forward–as well as the rest of the Kings offense–was unable to score during the overtime period during a 93-91 loss at ARCO Arena.
“You never say one guy can beat you, but I think he came close tonight,” fellow Hall of Fame inductee Reggie Miller said following Webber’s historic night. “When you have it going like that, I think we did the next best thing–we stopped everyone else.”
The points will mean more when it’s done, but right now I can only think about losing,” Webber said postgame. “But it’s something down the road that I’ll think about.”
Well, as we sit here over 21 years down the road, you have to hope that Webber has reflected on his 51-point, 26-rebound outing.
As of 2022, Webber is the last NBA player to score 50+ points, grab 25+ rebounds and dish out 5+ assists in a single game–and is just one of four players in the league’s history to do so, joining Chamberlain, Baylor, and Bob Petit.
Although Webber’s performance took place during a losing effort, it is arguably the greatest performance by a Sacramento King in ARCO Arena history.
Sports 1140 KHTK is looking back on ARCO Arena’s greatest moments as “the old barn” will have its final sendoff on Saturday, March 19th before being demolished in the coming months.
You can find more info about the event on March 19th by clicking here.
