Jaime Jáquez Jr emulates Juan Toscano and equals NBA points record

The small forward, Jaime Jáquez Jr, made his third start in his burgeoning NBA career and delivered an impressive performance in Miami Heat’s triumph over the Atlanta Hawks with a score of 117-109. A graduate of UCLA, he matched the scoring record for a Mexican basketball player in the premier basketball league in the world, dazzling the State Farm Arena with 20 points. ‘Triple J’, as he’s known, played for 38 minutes and 28 seconds, making eight of 17 field goal attempts, 2/7 in three-pointers, and successfully converting both free throws for a total of twenty points.

Triple J makes Mexican NBA history

The California native complemented his statistical sheet with four assists, three rebounds, and a steal. One of his most exciting plays was the buzzer-beater he made in the closing moments of the second quarter.

The record had solely belonged to Juan Toscano-Anderson, who achieved it on April 15, 2021, when the Golden State Warriors defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-101. In that game, the Mexican-American player took to the court at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse as a substitute. JTA only missed two shots, a three-pointer and a free throw, to achieve his best scoring performance in the NBA. The record showed 8/9 in field goals, 3/4 in three-pointers, and 1/2 in free throws, along with seven rebounds, three assists, a steal, and a block in just 30 minutes and 32 seconds.

Miami's winning streak

Miami started the season with a win against the Detroit Pistons. However, they went through a four-game losing streak from which they have now recovered with an equal number of victories, bringing their tally to 5-4. The wins were secured against the Washington Wizards, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Atlanta Hawks.

Next four for the Heat: Spurs, Hornets, Nets, Bulls