Jennings scores 55, leads Bucks past Warriors

Nov 15, 12:42 am EST

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MILWAUKEE (AP)—Brandon Jennings(notes) was shut out in the first quarter. Then he went to work and wiped out a record held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Jennings scored 55 points, breaking Abdul-Jabbar’s franchise rookie record, to lead the Milwaukee Bucks to a come-from-behind 129-125 victory Saturday over the Golden State Warriors.

Jennings poured in 29 points in the third quarter, then 16 in the fourth to hold off the Warriors and become only the third Bucks player to score more than 50. The last to do it was Michael Redd(notes), who set the franchise record with 57 points against Utah on Nov. 11, 2006.

“It was a very, very impressive performance for anyone, let alone a rookie in his seventh game,” Milwaukee coach Scott Skiles said. “We just gave the ball to Brandon and let him go to work.”

The No. 10 pick in the draft topped the 51 points scored by Abdul-Jabbar, then Lew Alcindor, on Feb. 21, 1970. The NBA rookie record was set by Wilt Chamberlain with 58 points for Philadelphia against Detroit in a January 1960 game in Bethlehem, Pa.

It was also the most points scored by a rookie since Earl Monroe had 56 on Feb. 13, 1968, and the second-most by a player under the age of 21, only topped by the 56 points scored by LeBron James(notes) on March 20, 2005.

“I was scoreless after the first quarter and really struggling,” said Jennings, who hit 21 of 34 shots after hitting just one of his first seven shots. “I just started getting in the groove and felt really good in the third quarter.”

The 29 points by Jennings were the most ever scored in a quarter against the Warriors. During the period, Jennings hit four 3-pointers and an assortment of jumpers and driving layups as he took over the game. At several points after scoring, he waved his arms in the air to get the crowd to cheer louder.

In all, he hit 12 of 13 shots in the quarter, his only miss a 3-point attempt with 5.9 seconds remaining. Jennings said after he hit his second shot in the third quarter, he could tell he was “in a zone.”

“I was just trying to do whatever I could to help us win,” he said. “We were out of sync in the first half and really needed to step it up.”

Skiles said he told Jennings after the game, “Great game, get some rest tomorrow and (say) hello Jason Kidd(notes) on Monday.” The Bucks play the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.

Bucks center Andrew Bogut(notes) said he was in position several times in the third quarter for offensive rebounds, but wasn’t needed.

“I was just waiting for it to come off the rim, but it just kept going straight through, which makes it easier for me,” he said. “But it could have padded the stats a little bit if he missed one or two of them.”

Warriors coach Don Nelson called Jennings’ effort “probably the best rookie performance I’ve ever witnessed in 30-some years coaching.”

“We tried to handle him every way possible,” Nelson said.

Warriors reserve Corey Maggette(notes) said Jennings had a “special game,” one he had not seen in a long time.

“That was a great performance,” Maggette said, shaking his head. “I don’t know if anyone has done that since Magic (Johnson). He was something pretty special tonight.”

The Bucks won their fourth straight game for the first time in more than two years. The Bucks (5-2) are off to their best start since 2005, the last season the team made the playoffs.

Bogut added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Bucks.

Monta Ellis(notes) led the Warriors (3-6) with 26 points and Maggette added 25.

Jennings hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 2:15 to give the Bucks a 117-115 lead. Luke Ridnour(notes) then hit a driving layup with 1:40 remaining to increase the Bucks’ lead to 119-115. After an offensive foul on Maggette, Jennings hit another jumper.

Maggette made a layup, was fouled and hit the free throw to cut the lead to 121-118, but Jennings came back and hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 34 seconds remaining and the Bucks held on to win.

The Warriors lost starting guard Kelenna Azubuike(notes) in the first quarter. Azubuike drove across the lane with 9:12 remaining in the quarter and slipped on the floor. He immediately grabbed his left leg and screamed in pain. After a five-minute delay, Azubuike left the court on a stretcher cart and went to the Warriors’ locker room.

NOTES: Redd, sidelined with strained left patella tendon for the last four games, will try to return next week as the Bucks play Dallas on Monday and New Jersey on Wednesday. Bucks forward Kurt Thomas(notes) played in the 900th game of his career.

Updated Nov 15, 12:42 am EST
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176 Comments

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  1. Ken L
    176. Posted by Ken L Tue Nov 17 2:30am EST

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    22-60 Record = Nelson retirement = Top 5 Draft Pick '10-'11 (PF #1/2)...
  2. Exhoopster
    175. Posted by Exhoopster Mon Nov 16 10:31am EST

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    Clearly, Brandon Jennings is the "real deal". A very special player (range on the jumper, great court vision, superb ballhandler, and a gym rat to boot) whom I watched a couple of years ago when he was in high school (Oak Hill Academy) and thought that he had unlimited potential. He is quieting his critics and in the coming years will likely become one of the best if not the best PG's in the league. Bucks fans now have a big reason to start filling the arena. What an exciting young player to watch. The future is bright for this young man. Good luck Brandon and stay humble.
  3. ryan g
    174. Posted by ryan g Sun Nov 15 11:27pm EST

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    :) Good Luck on your Career Bro.....
  4. TKflash
    173. Posted by TKflash Sun Nov 15 11:25pm EST

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    I'd almost recommend that all one-and-dones go to Europe. I think this guy generated life skills far beyond what he could have ever gotten from college where they pamper you. He seems to be a much more humble and mature man than many of the one-and-done college players.
  5. <i>brianibarra38</i>
    172. Posted by brianibarra38 Sun Nov 15 10:56pm EST

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    Good thing i pick him up!!!!!!!!!!
  6. Terence
    171. Posted by Terence Sun Nov 15 9:48pm EST

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    I could still remember just 2 months back, the number of doubters of Jennings was insane. He had some issues with regards to personality. But he seems to be taking heed of the critics and putting hard work in his game. This guy is the real thing. Look out!!
  7. <i>paxcampio</i>
    170. Posted by paxcampio Sun Nov 15 9:20pm EST

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    yes, it is only his 7th game or so,but what a beginning! I wish him the best.
    have a good,great nba career,bj.
  8. JayL
    169. Posted by JayL Sun Nov 15 9:01pm EST

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    @#$% you knicks
  9. <i>bunshintechnique</i>
    168. Posted by bunshintechnique Sun Nov 15 8:38pm EST

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    Wow, look at B. Jennings's average:
    PPG: 25.6
    RPG: 4.4
    APG: 5.1

    This kid is showing up and taking-over the Team from Michael Redd.
  10. Gabriel T
    167. Posted by Gabriel T Sun Nov 15 7:33pm EST

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    This will let the NBA and Stern know that, it doesn't matter where you go after high school to play, all that matters is if you have the guts and skills and determination to succeed. Europe isnt bad at all .
  11. smd357
    166. Posted by smd357 Sun Nov 15 7:04pm EST

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    the great part about jennings game is he plays under control,he plays d, and he's not a chucker.i watched that game,he had to put the team on his back nobody else on the team couldn't throw it in the ocean.the knicks should fire their talent scout because he wanted to play 4 them,but because he said rubio was overrated they passed on him.way 2 go d'antoni you screw that one up big time.
  12. Lind
    165. Posted by Lind Sun Nov 15 6:33pm EST

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    Brandon Jennings is a ballllller, straight out Compton!!!!!
  13. Me
    164. Posted by Me Sun Nov 15 5:45pm EST

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    I totally agree with comment #143. Jennings performance was a slap in the face to Mr Stern and to anyone that wanted this guy to fail or thought he won't excel in the NBA because he didn't attend 1 year in college.
  14. Reppin 4rm Big D to Jrzy
    163. Posted by Reppin 4rm Big D to Jrzy Sun Nov 15 4:33pm EST

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    cant believe ppl doubted him so much...he was the top high school prospect only two yrs ago he was just dumb as **** and he played on a good europe squad and he has the motivation cuz he can only pump gas and flip burgers if he doesnt cut it
  15. Drizzle
    162. Posted by Drizzle Sun Nov 15 4:25pm EST

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    Not a bucks fan at all, but I'm laughing at the Haters! "He's shoots too much" "He's a thug" "He's going to be a bust" LMAO haters!!! Good job Jennings and I hope more of the better Highschool Seniors decide to go oversees, cause the NCAA are the biggest THUGS of all!!!
  16. LAlaker4life
    161. Posted by LAlaker4life Sun Nov 15 3:46pm EST

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    Brandon Jenning is scorefirst pointguard so i think the buck should tranform him to SG and when they get Rubio they can play both
  17. Steven
    160. Posted by Steven Sun Nov 15 2:41pm EST

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    hey anthony lebron is not overrated. a lot of people can't do what lebron has done and the only thing that he has not gotten is a championship but he will soon. yeah i agree lebron has never made 55 points as a rookie but neither has michael jordan and the only reason why wilt made 50 points a lot of times was because the nba was bad but we are gonna have to see what this dude can do in the future.
  18. Brooklyn Hustla
    159. Posted by Brooklyn Hustla Sun Nov 15 2:37pm EST

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    I was watching this kid while he was in high school with his afro on youtube, wanted to see him play college ball but he went to europe, now i am really appreciating his dominance at the rookie level. its fascinating. i was really upset when the knicks passed on him. this kid could light up the garden like no one has ever seen. i am looking forward to watching him throughout the season and into the playoffs. this game just boosted his self confidence and now he will not be afraid to show what he can do. he will be crossing up artest and driving to the lane strong like marbury once did. he has to continue and i believe he will.
  19. BasketballFan88
    158. Posted by BasketballFan88 Sun Nov 15 2:35pm EST

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    I'm just glad Jennings finally figured out the name of his franchise center Bogut. It only took him a couple of weeks into regular season to get his brain wrapped around that.
  20. Ron
    157. Posted by Ron Sun Nov 15 2:32pm EST

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    ATTENTION: This is for 'serious' Sports Bettors Only: This guy John Morrison,
    "The Sports Betting Champ" wins 97% of his NBA & MLB sports bets.
    He makes $70,000 every week like clockwork! http://www.lasvegassportsodds.biz
  21. Anthony
    156. Posted by Anthony Sun Nov 15 2:16pm EST

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    Lebron never did this as a rookie. And this rookie wasn't nearly as hyped as Mr. Bron. I smell overrated.
  22. Mark
    155. Posted by Mark Sun Nov 15 1:37pm EST

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    Yes moron it does make him a stud. He was 4 pts away from setting a rookie record. It was an amazing performance. Of course when someone scores that much the defense wasn't top notch but that doesnt mean it wasnt an amazing night for him.
  23. FRaNCHISE
    154. Posted by FRaNCHISE Sun Nov 15 1:30pm EST

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    Brandon jennings is tha next a.i.... and it doest matter what team he drop 50+ on... kobe drop 81 on a team that had the number 1 pick in the draft the followin season
  24. FRaNCHISE
    153. Posted by FRaNCHISE Sun Nov 15 1:30pm EST

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    Brandon jennings is tha next a.i.... and it doest matter what team he drop 50+ on... kobe drop 81 on a team that had the number 1 pick in the draft the followin season
  25. Kevin
    152. Posted by Kevin Sun Nov 15 1:28pm EST

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    Of course, the Knicks (and 8 other teams) passed on this kid. He is going to be a star for a long, long time.
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Golden State
C. Maggette Corey Maggette
7-11,  25 Pts
5 Rebs, 4 Assists
 Milwaukee
B. Jennings Brandon Jennings
21-34,  55 Pts
5 Rebs, 5 Assists

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