NBA Fans Astounded by Malachi Flynn’s Surprising 50-Point Flurry in Pistons–Hawks

Madison Williams | Apr 3, 2024

Apr 3, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malachi Flynn (14) shoots over Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela (15). / Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Pistons guard Malachi Flynn made history coming off the bench on Wednesday night vs. the Atlanta Hawks as he scored 50 points in the team's 121–113 loss.

Flynn became the 10th NBA player this season to have a 50-piece, and he's the only player who wasn't in the starting lineup to achieve the feat. Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker has reached the mark the most this season with three 50-plus point games.

Only two other NBA players in history have scored 50 points off the bench: Jamal Crawford with the Suns in 2019 and Nick Anderson with the Magic in 1993.

Flynn averages just 5.8 points per game, so this was quite the jump.

The 25-year-old guard played 34 minutes off the bench, which is the most he's played this season, making 18-of-25 attempted field goals. He also made five of nine three-point attempts, while adding six rebounds and five assists to his stat line.

MAKE THAT 50 FOR MALACHI FLYNN! https://t.co/Eszb4qDHWX pic.twitter.com/Ci3l4vXDJR

— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2024

NBA fans loved seeing Flynn prosper on the court Wednesday night. Check out some of the social media reactions to the guard's performance.

HE AVERAGES 4 POINTS A GAME. What are the Hawks doing?!

— Austin (@AustinPlanet) April 4, 2024

Incredible. https://t.co/h2wgNiXRib

— Jon Schaeffer (@jonschaeffer) April 4, 2024

50 for WHOM?! https://t.co/cXf56cv9ip pic.twitter.com/ioUc2LDd08

— Sabir (@Sabir_Scrip) April 4, 2024

one of the most elite clubs: 50 off the bench https://t.co/lWmFt08B1O pic.twitter.com/sfDgtk7EJq

— lex (@maplewedgie) April 4, 2024

God I love when the NBA gets weird https://t.co/kCKchrtzRG

— Brandon Sowle (@brandonsowle) April 4, 2024

This is gonna stump so many people on Sporcle quizzes in a few years and be a perfect hoopsgrid answer eventually https://t.co/4HEwD06okz

— Ted Brennan (@TedBrennan15) April 4, 2024

most random 50-piece since corey brewer's 51 point performance back then https://t.co/z7Coz8f9IN

— ernest (@ernestmartin_) April 4, 2024

4.6 PPG this year and he puts up a 50 piece. Have a day! https://t.co/uQb4phv5Ca

— Overall Good Guy Anthony (@The__Manthony) April 4, 2024

The most random 50 point game of all time https://t.co/HqWSGajYtO

— Thomas Mooney (@thomas_mooney1) April 4, 2024

Even though the Pistons aren’t going to win… this performance is still insane #NBA https://t.co/zLdtRlOmLZ

— Joshua Unangst (@JoshuaUnangst13) April 4, 2024

This is the first time a player dropped 50 and I’m not sure I’ve ever heard of him before tonight. https://t.co/KaKEzL540m

— Tunde Ayinla (@TundeTimes) April 4, 2024