Little-known NBA player drops career-high stats to keep season alive – but is shocked to find out they won’t actually count

A little-known NBA player had the game of his life.

But even after scoring 42 points on highly efficient 15-of-21 shooting, Coby White’s stats won’t count.

The brief NBA Play-In tournament is sandwiched between an 82-game regular season and a two-month playoff.

White scored a career-high 42 points as the Chicago Bulls kept their season alive by defeating the Atlanta Hawks 131-116 on Thursday.

Yet when White learned that his whopping 42 wouldn’t technically be part of his career stats, the former No. 7 overall pick out of North Carolina ignored the information and simply pointed out the facts.

“I consider that a career high,” White said with a laugh. “It’s on the stat sheet right here.”

The fifth-year guard then picked up a printed sheet from a small podium and touched the piece of paper with his finger, letting everyone know that his stunning 42-point performance couldn’t be taken away from him.

White was cheered loudly by Bulls fans during the 15-point victory for a team that finished the regular season in ninth place in the Eastern Conference and with a losing record (39-43).

Atlanta’s season is over after the loss.

White heard his name proudly chanted in Chicago, five years after he became a viral NBA draft meme when he kept saying “Wow!” with a stunned reaction.

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“It was a great time for this to happen,” White said. “I’m grateful to the fans. It was like a playoff atmosphere. The place was great tonight.

Officially, White’s career high still stands at 37 points, which he scored in March in a 113-109 road victory over the Sacramento Kings, who are also trying to qualify for the Conference playoffs West.

But Bulls fans and NBA enthusiasts won’t forget White’s magical 42, when he wowed basketball watchers everywhere by shredding the Hawks and sending Trae Young home in early 2024 .

White averaged career highs in points (19.1), minutes (36.5), rebounds (4.5) and assists (5.1) this season as he became a starter at full time for the first time.

He’ll always have the stat sheet to prove he lost 42 in a play-in game.

And he’s guaranteed one more game Saturday, when the Bulls face the Miami Heat for the final playoff spot in the East.

“A star in the making,” one fan tweeted.

“MOST IMPROVED PLAYER,” a second fan posted.

“Couldn’t happen to a better guy,” a third fan wrote.