He might be only a one-week wonder, but what a week it has been for New York guard Jeremy Lin.
Lin capped a remarkable four-game stretch by scoring a career-high 38 points and dishing off seven assists to lead the Knicks’ 92-85 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night.
It was the fourth straight 20-point effort for Lin, who had been waived twice earlier in the season before surfacing with the Knicks after a brief stint in the NBA’s Developmental League. Earlier in the day, he was selected as ABC News’ “Person of the Week.”
The victory was the fourth straight for the Knicks since Lin has taken over point guard duties with leading scorers Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony out of the lineup. It also snapped a nine-game losing streak to the Lakers and Kobe Bryant, who scored 34 points in a losing cause.
“I didn’t try to see this game as any different,” Lin told the Associated Press. “I just try to make sure that when I get there on the floor, I play as hard as I can and try to do everything I can to help the team win.
“The only thing we established tonight is four in a row. Now we try to go for five tomorrow. I’m not too worried about proving anything to anybody. As a team we’re growing and trying to build on the momentum.”
Bryant, who dismissed Lin a night earlier in Boston, had another disdainful comment for Lin and the Knicks after the victory.
“Enjoy it,” Bryant told reporters after the game. “They’ll receive judgment next season.”
But for at least one night, Lin sat at the top of the NBA’s Studs and Duds. He’s the first Harvard product to ever receive the designation.
STUDS
New York G Jeremy Lin: Erupted for 38 points in 38 minutes, dished off seven assists, grabbed four rebounds and two steals and was plus-8 in the Knicks’ victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki: Went for 33 points, four rebounds, three assists, three blocks and was plus-22 in the Mavericks’ triumph at Minnesota.
Portland G Jamal Crawford: Came off the bench to notch 31 points, eight assists and was plus-14 in the Trail Blazers’ victory at New Orleans.
Atlanta F Josh Smith: Filled the stat sheet for 23 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and was plus-8 in the Hawks’ victory at Orlando.
Minnesota F Kevin Love: Went for 32 points — including 14 of 14 from the foul line — 12 rebounds and three assists in the Timberwolves’ loss to Dallas.
DUDS
Minnesota G Ricky Rubio: Clanked through a 2-for-8 shooting night with four turnovers and was minus-18 in the Timberwolves’ loss to Dallas.
Orlando F Hedo Turkoglu: Went 4 for 9 from the field with six turnovers in the Magic’s loss to Atlanta.
Boston G Rajon Rondo: Clanked through a 2-of-10 shooting performance with five turnovers and was minus-16 in the Celtics’ loss at Toronto.
Philadelphia G Jrue Holiday: Went 2 of 8 from the field with five turnovers in the Sixers’ loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Indiana F Paul George: Struggled through a 2-for-13 shooting night with three turnovers and was a team-worst minus-9 in the Pacers’ loss at Memphis.