5 best Shaquille O'Neal moments with the Orlando Magic
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5 best Shaquille O'Neal moments with the Orlando Magic
3. Shaq's first triple-double, Diesel-style
Nov. 20, 1993: Shaquille O'Neal's notches first triple-double in dominant fashion
Player A records a triple-double. Their stat line: 24, 28 and 15. Which numbers are you assigning where for said player?
For Shaquille O'Neal, it was this: 24 points, 28 rebounds, 15 blocks. The second-year bruiser, nursing a cold against the New Jersey Nets (they are becoming a theme in this piece), went for his first triple-double in an era where triple-doubles were few and far between.
"I guess I played OK."
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 20, 2023
30 years ago today, a 2nd-year SHAQ had one of the greatest triple-doubles in NBA history!
24 Points
28 Rebounds
15 Blocks
12/19 Shootingpic.twitter.com/C11dq0EZqk
O'Neal during his rookie year was something special.
At 285 pounds, he was lightweight and flying everywhere on the court -- at least by his own standards. He is third all-time in blocks by a rookie with 286 (only trailing David Robinson and Manute Bol). That 15-block game is the second-most ever in a game and the single-game most in Orlando Magic history.
This could be considered O'Neal's best career game given the numbers -- career-high 28 rebounds and 15 blocks when it was all said and done, and done in only three quarters of work! A solid day for young Diesel.
With the boom in triple-doubles (including some 60-point games) in this modern, O'Neal's performance has been largely forgotten. But it is still an all-timer in his Magic moments.