![The Raptors got 45 points from their star player Kawhi Leonard to defeat Utah. - [ESPN / YouTube screencap]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2019/1/2/660x290/b_502x220x82/the-raptors-got-45-points-from-their-star-player-kawhi-leonard-to-defeat-utah-image-via-espnyoutube-screencap_2174255.jpg "The Raptors got 45 points from their star player Kawhi Leonard to defeat Utah. - [ESPN / YouTube screencap]")
The NBA is back on track, as the new year revealed a group of games on Tuesday (January 1). It included a night full of star performers, such as a 45-point game, huge double-doubles, and stat sheet fillers. Below are the top five players from Tuesday's action.
Kawhi Leonard - Toronto Raptors
Kawhi was the high-scorer of the night with 45 points recorded. He also did that without hitting a single three-point shot. The Raptors were able to defeat the Jazz, 122-116, thanks to his performance.
Kawhi Leonard scored a career-high 45 points, the most by a Raptors player since DeMar DeRozan dropped a franchise-record 52 pts exactly 1 year ago.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 2, 2019
Leonard and DeRozan will meet on Thursday for the 1st time since being traded for each other this offseason. pic.twitter.com/SBGpnidLc7
Jusuf Nurkic - Portland Trail Blazers
It's hard to argue that Jusuf Nurkick was absolutely balling out in Sacramento. He filled up the stat sheet with 24 points, 23 rebounds, seven assists, five steals, and five blocks. Wow!
Jusuf Nurkić made history tonight. 😳
— NBA TV (@NBATV) January 2, 2019
He is the 1st player to have 20+ PTS, 20+ REB, 5+ AST, 5+ STL & 5+ BLK in a game since steals and blocks were first recorded as official stats in 1973. pic.twitter.com/y5ceBuxBxM
Joel Embiid - Philadelphia 76ers
On the road, Joel Embiid came up big for the visiting 76ers. The Sixers' big man posted 28 points and 19 rebounds to help his team top the Clippers.
💪 @JoelEmbiid scores 28 PTS and pulls down 19 REB to guide the @sixers at Staples Center! #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/NBBrk4BOms
— NBA (@NBA) January 2, 2019
Nikola Jokic - Denver Nuggets
Jokic joined elite company with his performance on Tuesday. The Nuggets' big man had 19 points, 14 rebounds, 15 assists, and three blocks. Only the legendary Larry Bird achieved those numbers in NBA history, and he did so twice in the 80s.
Nikola Jokic filled the box score on Tuesday, compiling 19 PTS, 14 REB, 15 AST, and 3 BLK. The last player to reach all of those levels in a game was Larry Bird, who did so twice (1982, 1987). pic.twitter.com/yjPX7SsBS3
— NBA.com/Stats (@nbastats) January 2, 2019
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis' scoring output lately hasn't been his best, but he continues filling up the stat sheet and is helping the Bucks win games. On Tuesday, Greek Freak had 15 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks in a rout of Detroit. He also had the potential dunk of the year.
Did @Giannis_An34 just throw down the POSTER OF THE YEAR!?!#FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/anVvi6nNO6
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) January 2, 2019
