Malachi Flynn scores 50 points off the bench in Pistons loss, sets ...

If you didn’t think the Pistons’ season could get any weirder, Malachi Flynn scored 50 points in a 121-113 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Flynn’s 50-ball is the most by a bench player and eighth-most by any player in Detroit’s history. It’s also the second-most points by a player off the bench in NBA history (tied with Nick Anderson’s 50-piece in 1993), after Jamal Crawford’s 51-point game against Dallas in 2019.

Flynn, who has averaged 5.2 points per game for his career, has the lowest scoring average of any player with a 50-point game in NBA history.

“It’s tougher to put (in perspective) because you want to win. But it definitely feels good,” Flynn said after the game. “I think in a couple days I’ll be able to put it into perspective.”

Flynn added that this was his first 50-point game at any level of basketball.

“I almost did in high school. I had 49 and my coach took me out. I still have a grudge,” he said.

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Flynn, who was acquired by the Pistons at the NBA trade deadline, had a previous career high of 27 points.

The 25-year-old guard, who is generously listed as 6-foot-1, was a first-round pick in 2020. He joins the likes of Corey Brewer, Saddiq Bey and Tony Delk as obscure players to enter the prestigious 50-point club.

With Cade Cunningham out and Jaden Ivey struggling, Flynn played 34 minutes and was 18 of 25 from the field in Detroit’s loss.

“He just works on his game. He’s in the gym every morning, pretty much an hour before practice, maybe more,” Pistons coach Monty Williams said. “You saw that tonight.”

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(Photo: Scott Cunningham / NBAE via Getty Images)