CHICAGO — Scotty Pippen Jr. has been cherishing memories of his father, a Hall of Fame player, at the United Center for years. On Saturday night, he added a remarkable personal highlight to those memories.
Pippen, the son of former Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a personal best of 30 points, along with 10 assists, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a thrilling 142-131 victory over the Bulls. “It’s a dream come true. It’s surreal to say I scored 30 points and recorded 10 assists on the court where my dad played,” he remarked after his impressive performance, which included 26 points throughout the first three quarters, aiding Memphis in securing back-to-back wins. “This means the world to my family and me. I spoke with my dad before the game, and he encouraged me to go out there and make an impact, so that’s exactly what I aimed to do.”
Although the elder Pippen wasn’t in attendance during Saturday’s game, he was present in Memphis on November 8, when Scotty Jr. notched an impressive stat line of 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. This achievement made them a unique father-son duo in NBA history, both having recorded triple-doubles in their careers.
The absence of two-time All-Star Ja Morant, who has been sidelined with a hip injury for the eighth consecutive game, has significantly given Pippen more space to establish his role during his second year in the league. In this match, he displayed his effectiveness from the three-point line, excelled in fast breaks, and maneuvered skillfully in the paint.
“Scotty Pippen was phenomenal tonight,” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, praising the young player’s performance. Pippen Jr. came into the game averaging 11.6 points and 5.7 assists over the first 17 games of the season, showcasing his steady development as a key player for Memphis.