Malachi Flynn (Image Source: Getty Images)

In a 121-113 defeat against the Atlanta Hawks, Malachi Flynn almost doubled his career best, scoring a franchise-high 50 points off the bench for the Detroit Pistons. In the loss on Wednesday in Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, the Pistons reserve hit 18 of 25 shots (72%), with five 3-point attempts and 9 free throws. In the second half, Flynn scored 33 points, with 19 coming in the fourth quarter.

Malachi Flynn went 9 for 12 at the line and 18 for 25 from the field, matching his career-best of 27 points. For a reserve, the 50 points set a franchise record. In 34 minutes, he added a season-high 6 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals. In the past 11 games, the Pistons have suffered 10 losses.

Malachi Flynn told reporters, “It’s tough, because at the end of the day you want to win, That’s always my main goal, to win. But it definitely feels good. The guys congratulated me in the back, that also felt good, to take in the moment. I’m sure, in a couple days from now, it will feel a little bit better.”

Malachi Flynn is just the third player in NBA history to score 50 points or more without coming off the bench. Flynn scored 68 points and the Pistons scored 25 points off fast breaks to outscore the Hawks 68-22 in bench points.

Malachi Flynn Doubled His Previous Career High Points vs Hawks

In the third quarter, Malachi Flynn shot 5 for 5 on his way to 14 points, but the Pistons were again outscored. The last 12 minutes saw him go off, hitting 8 of 13 shots. The Pistons, behind by up to 22 points at one point, made several late-game cuts to reduce the difference to five points, but they could not muster enough momentum to win the game.

Malachi Flynn was traded from the New York Knicks to the Pistons in February. The Toronto Raptors selected Flynn as the first overall choice in the 2020 NBA Draft.

As per the NBA Website, with his 50 points in a game, the 25-year-old guard increased the season’s scoring average from 4.6 to 5.3 points a contest. Malachi Flynn’s previous season’s best came on March 24 in a defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans in Detroit, where he scored 17 points.