Who is the New Orleans Pelicans’ all-time leader in assists in a single game?

In 1990, Orlando Magic guard Scott Skiles dropped 30 dimes that led to buckets en route to a win over the Denver Nuggets and the all-time record for assists in a single game.

For nearly 23 years, that record has remained untouched. But, as we said, he played for the Magic. This website is dedicated to the New Orleans Pelicans! So, who is the Pelicans’ (and Hornets) all-time leader in assists in a single game?

No, it is not the franchise leader in career assists, Chris Paul. He’s actually second all-time in assists in a single game, posting 20 assists for the then-Hornets against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 6, 2007.

The all-time leader in assists in a single game by a Pelicans/Hornets player is Rajon Rondo, who, on December 27, 2017, posted 25 assists (five shy of tying Skiles’ record) against the Brooklyn Nets (per Stat Muse).

That 25-assist mark is also Rondo’s career-high. His second-most is 24, and that came on October 29, 2010, against the New York Knicks when he was a member of the Boston Celtics. It’s crazy to think that a journeyman like Rondo (he’s played for nine different teams) had his career-high in assists come with the Pelicans (a team who he only spent one of his 16 seasons with).

For those wondering, here is the top-10 list for most assists in a single game in franchise history  (the date on which each of these performances took place is listed in the parenthesis):

1. Rajon Rondo – 25 (December 27, 2017)

2. Chris Paul – 21 (November 6, 2007)

3. Darren Collison – 20 (March 8, 2010)

4. Chris Paul – 20 (February 27, 2009)

5. Chris Paul – 20 (March 26, 2008)

6. Chris Paul – 19 (November 5, 2010)

7. Chris Paul – 19 (December 18, 2009)

8. Chris Paul – 19 (February 1, 2008)

9. Rajon Rondo – 18 (December 10, 2017)

10. Brian Roberts – 18 (March 25, 2013)

While Paul doesn’t have the single-game record, he does six of the top-10 performances in franchise history. Oh, and he’s also currently competing for an NBA title. So he’s still doing pretty good, all things considered.

Rondo’s name also shows up again in the top-10 list, as just 17 days before his 25-assist outing, he had an 18-assist game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Also, I bet you didn’t think that you’d read the name Brian Roberts today. Shoutout to his memorable stint as a Pelican.