Prolific enough from the perimeter to list the midrange area as a second home address if he pleased, LaMarcus Aldridge took his inside-the-arc brilliance and unblockable release to a historic level on January 10, 2019. Patterning big-time performances against the Oklahoma City Thunder with checkerboard-like precision, the eventual seven-time All-Star elevated once more, finding pull-up jumpers, turnarounds, and hustle buckets from every grain of hardwood the AT&T Center had to offer. Saving the brunt of his storybook night for the second half, where he scored 42 points alone, Aldridge also settled into his role as a defensive enforcer, swatting away Jerami Grant’s layup in double OT to preserve the lead. No. 1 in made midrange field goals from 2009-10 through the decade, Aldridge’s 56-point game became the most by a player without a 3-point attempt since 2000. Accompanying the marquee night with efficiency (20-of-33 from the field, 16-of-16 from the free throw line) and a clutch gene, Aldridge also found nine rebounds, four assists, four blocks, and a “M-V-P” chant awaiting him for the game-clinching baskets. The win ultimately played a role in helping extend the Spurs’ postseason record to an NBA record-tying 22 consecutive seasons. · Jan 11, 2019