Scott Skiles

Hardly a season-and-a-half into their NBA arrival, the Orlando Magic discovered that positive entries into the league’s history books, understandably, had proved difficult to come by. As he examined the floor on December 30, 1990, delivering pinpoint passes through every angle of Orlando’s sellout arena, Scott Skiles provided a record that, even three decades later, still stands the test of time. Regarding the night’s matchup as the “perfect storm” — facing a Denver Nuggets group doubling as the NBA’s fastest-paced, but also its most defensively-challenged — Skiles and Orlando observed more passes than a hall monitor, with the floor general tallying 14 assists by halftime. Offering outlets both grounded and airbourne, Skiles also mixed spinning, over-the-head passes and no-look dimes, ultimately tying the record with 6:29 left. Movie-like in the suspense that ensued, Skiles, exhausted, inquiring about his exit, and described to look as if he had been “dumped into an aquarium,” perspired through record-breaking assist No. 30 until 20 seconds remained. Sending the arena into a frenzy, Skiles’ night concluded with a video game-esque 22 points (13 in the final quarter), six rebounds, 30 assists, two steals, and two trifectas, ultimately earning 1990-91’s Most Improved Player Award shortly thereafter.

Top Shot Debut