Utah Jazz forward Brice Sensabaugh had an impressive performance as he scored 21 points in the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls. The remarkable achievement marks the highest first-quarter score by an NBA reserve since the start of the play-by-play era in 1997-98.
Sensabaugh’s record-breaking performance
Prior to Sensabaugh’s outstanding outing, the record for first quarter scoring by a bench player was held by Lance Stephenson of the Indiana Pacers, who scored 20 points against the Brooklyn Nets on January 5, 2022. Sensabaugh finished the game with a career-high 43 points, converting 15 of 22 field goal attempts and hitting 5 of 10 from beyond the arc.
Key facts and statistics
- First quarter points: 21 (NBA record for bench players)
- Career total: 43 points in the game
- Field goals made: 15 of 22
- 3-point shot: 5 out of 10
- Previous career high: 34 points on January 4 against Miami
- Second best performance: 27 points against Orlando the next day
- Utah Jazz bench record: Second most points, behind Jordan Clarkson’s 45 points in March 2022
Historical context
Sensabaugh scored 28 points in the first half of the game, just two points shy of tying the Jazz record for a starter or reserve in the first half. The record is held by Rodney Hood, who scored 30 points in the first half against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 28, 2016. Additionally, Karl Malone holds the team record for the second half, with 37 points against the Golden State Warriors on April 7, 1998.
In the first quarter, Sensabaugh showed remarkable efficiency, shooting 8-for-9, including a perfect 3-for-3 three-pointer, all done in just over 7 minutes of play. His incredible scoring spree contributed significantly to the Jazz’s overall performance, despite their narrow loss to the Bulls, 128-126.
