59: All the facts on Cotton's incredible feat

NBL fans were treated to a performance for the ages on Sunday, when Bryce Cotton erupted for 59 points. The four-time MVP further etched his name into the record books as he continues to add to his impressive resume.

Cotton now stands alone with most points scored in the modern 40-minute era, surpassing Brisbane’s James Batemon, who had 51 points in round 9.

Cotton, like Batemon, was super-efficient on his way to his record night, shooting 64 per cent from the floor and committing just one turnover.

Remarkably, Cotton had 20 points in the opening 10 minutes. The Perth superstar made seven of his nine shots in the opening term, including three threes, and instantly had every fan locked in.

In the all-time record books, Cotton’s 59 points sits tied sixth for the most ever in an NBL game. Al Green still sits top with his 71-point game, followed by Reg Biddings with 63, Shane Heal with 61, and Andrew Gaze and Green both having a 60-point effort.

Perhaps one of the key takeaways from this epic performance is that Cotton’s 28 field goal attempts is the fewest by any player who has scored 55 or more in a game.

In 1987, Perth Wildcats great James Crawford set the previous record of 57 points in a 34-point win over the Melbourne Tigers. He played all 48 minutes and hit 24 of 36 shots from the field. He also had 11 rebounds and four assists.

Cotton had 48 points through three quarters, which saw Crawford’s record firmly in his sights.

The most points ever scored by a player against the New Zealand Breakers was previously Dusty Rychart, who had 44 points back in 2005.

Cotton finished the game with 16 free throws from 17 attempts, leaving the one solitary point at the line in the second quarter, that would have had him eclipse the iconic 60-point mark.

It was simply an amazing display, summed up perfectly by John Rillie.

"That was just music, that was poetry ... I just need to admire, watch and let it unfold," the Wildcats coach said post-game.

There's been some impressive individual displays over the past month of the NBL season, from Cotton, to Batemon to Chris Goulding, who shot the lights out on the way to 46 point. Who's next?

Watch every game of the Hungry Jack's NBL Season live on ESPN.