Jamaal Tinsley 5x5 - November 16, 2001

On November 16, 2001, Indiana Pacers rookie point guard Jamaal Tinsley produced one of the most unusual all-around performances in NBA history, recording a 5x5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Tinsley finished with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 15 assists, 6 steals and 5 blocked shots in 51 minutes. He became a 5x5 player despite struggling badly with his shot, making only three of his 16 field-goal attempts.

The game required two overtimes before Minnesota finally pulled away for a 120-113 victory. Tinsley's stat line remains remarkable because a rookie point guard not only reached the five-assist and five-steal thresholds, but also blocked five shots while nearly collecting 10 rebounds.

A 5x5 requires a player to record at least five points, five rebounds, five assists, five steals and five blocked shots in one game. Tinsley reached every category with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 15 assists, 6 steals and 5 blocks.

The performance was particularly unusual because Tinsley was a point guard and a rookie. Blocks are normally the most difficult 5x5 category for guards, yet Tinsley blocked five shots while also recording six steals.

He comfortably exceeded the assist requirement with 15 and finished only one rebound short of a double-double in rebounds and assists.

Tinsley recorded six steals and five blocks, giving him 11 combined steals and blocked shots.

Indiana finished with nine steals and 10 blocks as a team. Tinsley personally accounted for six of the Pacers' nine steals and half of their blocked shots.

Minnesota's entire team recorded only five blocks. Tinsley matched that total by himself.

His five blocks were especially unusual considering his position. Tinsley was a 6-foot-3 point guard, not a center or power forward normally positioned near the basket to challenge shots.

Perhaps the most impressive part of Tinsley's performance was his ball distribution. He handed out a game-high 15 assists while committing only one turnover in 51 minutes.

That gave him a 15-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio despite handling the ball throughout a game that lasted 58 minutes.

Tinsley accounted for more than half of Indiana's 29 assists.

His shooting was the one weakness in the performance. He went only 3-for-16 from the field and missed all three of his three-point attempts, but made all six of his free throws.

Indiana led 32-25 after the first quarter and expanded its advantage to 58-50 by halftime.

Minnesota slowly worked its way back into the game. The Timberwolves cut Indiana's lead to 76-72 after three quarters and tied the game at 98-98 by the end of regulation.

Gary Trent made one of two free throws with 13.3 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game. Tinsley then had an opportunity to win it for Indiana, but his 15-foot jumper at the buzzer missed.

The teams each scored 11 points in the first overtime, sending the game to a second extra period tied at 109.

Minnesota finally took control in the second overtime, outscoring Indiana 11-4 to secure the 120-113 victory.

Tinsley continued filling the stat sheet during the first overtime. He made four free throws, recorded two steals and two blocks and assisted on a Reggie Miller three-pointer.

With 2:24 remaining in the first overtime, Tinsley stole the ball from Kevin Garnett and then converted two free throws to give Indiana a 106-101 advantage.

Garnett eventually tied the game at 109 with 13.4 seconds remaining, and Jalen Rose missed a potential game-winner before the first overtime expired.

Minnesota then scored the first six points of the second overtime and never surrendered the lead.

Jalen Rose led Indiana with 31 points on 13-for-27 shooting. Al Harrington supplied 25 points off the bench while making 11 of his 14 field-goal attempts.

Reggie Miller added 23 points, including three three-pointers and a 10-for-11 performance at the free-throw line.

Jeff Foster grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds in 49 minutes.

Indiana received 79 combined points from Rose, Harrington and Miller, but the Pacers were held to only four points in the second overtime.

Kevin Garnett led Minnesota with 24 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 50 minutes.

Terrell Brandon and Wally Szczerbiak each scored 22 points. Brandon also handed out eight assists, while Szczerbiak made two of Minnesota's three three-pointers.

Joe Smith contributed 18 points and nine rebounds in 52 minutes, while Gary Trent added 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds off the bench.

The Timberwolves dominated the glass, outrebounding Indiana 51-39.

The 5x5 has always favored versatile frontcourt players because blocked shots are one of the five required categories. Tinsley's performance therefore stands apart from many other 5x5 games because it came from a rookie point guard.

His line also differed dramatically from the high-scoring 5x5 performances of players such as Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson. Tinsley scored only 12 points but reached the mark through exceptional passing and defensive activity.

View David Robinson's November 10, 1992 5x5 »

View Vlade Divac's February 22, 1995 5x5 »

View Andrei Kirilenko's December 3, 2003 5x5 »

Date: November 16, 2001

Location: Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

Final Score: Minnesota Timberwolves 120, Indiana Pacers 113

Overtimes: Two

Minnesota Record After Game: 7-1

Indiana Record After Game: 6-5

Jamaal Tinsley: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 15 assists, 6 steals, 5 blocks

Tinsley Shooting: 3-for-16 FG, 0-for-3 3PT, 6-for-6 FT

Tinsley Minutes: 51

Indiana Leading Scorer: Jalen Rose - 31 points

Minnesota Leading Scorer: Kevin Garnett - 24 points

Leading Rebounder: Jeff Foster - 14 rebounds

Most Assists: Jamaal Tinsley - 15 assists

Most Steals: Jamaal Tinsley - 6 steals

Most Blocks: Jamaal Tinsley - 5 blocks

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