The 2024/25 National Basketball Association (NBA) season is almost upon us, and excitement is building as teams finalize their rosters and make final preparations in training camps. This upcoming season promises to showcase incredible talent, featuring some of the best basketball players in the world. Yet, despite the current talent pool, the record for the most points scored in a single game remains unchallenged, belonging to a legend from the past.
Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for the most points scored in a single NBA game—a remarkable achievement that has yet to be surpassed. On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain delivered an extraordinary performance for the Philadelphia Warriors, scoring an unprecedented 100 points in a 169-147 victory over the New York Knicks.
Wilt Chamberlain’s scoring breakdown was nothing short of historic: he poured in 23 points in the first quarter, 41 by halftime, followed by 23 in the third quarter, and capped it off with 31 points in the fourth quarter. His efficiency was equally noteworthy, as he shot 36-of-63 from the field and an impressive 28-of-32 from the free-throw line. In addition to his scoring, Chamberlain grabbed 25 rebounds and contributed two assists, playing nearly the entire game.
Chamberlain's 100-point game is not just a record; it's a testament to his dominance during an era when the game was vastly different from today. His achievement has yet to be matched, and the record has stood for over six decades, a testament to his greatness and the sheer difficulty of replicating such a feat in the modern NBA.
HBD WILT CHAMBERLAIN
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) August 21, 2023
100 PTS: 1x
70 PTS: 6x
60 PTS: 32x
50 PTS: 118x
40 PTS/40 REB: 4x
20/20/20: 1x
He also reportedly had numerous unofficial quadruple-doubles & a quintuple-double: 53 PTS, 32 REB, 24 BLK, 14 AST, 11 STL pic.twitter.com/zPXjiMVN6c
Chamberlain's record sits atop the list of most points scored in a single game, but there are other noteworthy performances that have come close. The second-highest scoring game in NBA history belongs to Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006. Bryant's performance was a masterclass in scoring, showcasing his ability to dominate a game offensively.
He shot 28-of-46 from the field, 7-of-13 from beyond the arc, and 18-of-20 from the free-throw line. Bryant's 81-point game remains the highest scoring output in the modern era and is often hailed as one of the greatest individual performances in sports history.
Chamberlain appears again in third place on the all-time list with his 78-point game for the Philadelphia Warriors against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 8, 1961. This game is another example of Chamberlain's scoring prowess and his ability to impose his will on any opponent.
Most Points Scored in a Single Game in NBA History:
Entering the 2024/25 NBA season, a total of 10 different players have scored 70 or more points in a game. Wilt Chamberlain stands out as the only player with multiple 70+ point games, achieving this incredible feat five times. This fact underscores not only his scoring ability but also his consistency at a level that has rarely been seen in the history of the sport.
Scoring in the regular season is one thing, but delivering in the playoffs when the stakes are higher adds another layer of significance. The highest points scored in a playoff game belongs to Michael Jordan, who scored 63 points in a double-overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on April 20, 1986, during the first round of the playoffs. Jordan’s performance against one of the best teams in NBA history is often remembered as one of the defining moments of his early career, showcasing his scoring ability on the biggest stage.
Another noteworthy performance in playoff history is by Elgin Baylor of the Los Angeles Lakers. Baylor scored 61 points in Game 5 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics on April 14, 1962, marking the second-highest playoff scoring game in history. His 61 points helped the Lakers secure a crucial victory in the finals and remain one of the standout performances in NBA Finals history.
As the new NBA season approaches, fans can look forward to watching new records being set and witnessing performances that will go down in history. Whether it's the excitement of a buzzer-beater, a player scoring 50 or more points, or a team making a historic comeback, the NBA never disappoints.
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