Most Points in an NBA Game

<p>Throughout NBA history there have been many individual performances worthy of remembrance.&nbsp;</p> <p>Only a select few however have etched their names into the record books with showings that have seen them become one of the highest scorers in a single NBA game.&nbsp;</p> <p>Spanning numerous decades, positions and franchises, the top 10 players to have scored the most points in an NBA game is a diverse and eclectic list.</p> <p>However there is no denying it is dominated by one man. He also holds the record for the most points in an NBA game.</p> <p>To find out who that is, as well as the makeup of the rest of the top 10, check out our list of players who have the most points in a single NBA game below.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>What is the Most Points Scored in a Single NBA Game?</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The most points scored in a single NBA game in an even century. Yep, legendary centre Wilt Chamberlain dropped a clean 100 on the New York Knicks in 1962.</p> <p>As you are about to see, many have tried, yet all have failed to surpass Chamberlain’s record haul. Many believe his record will never be broken such is the competitiveness of the modern game.</p> <p>Chamberlain sadly passed away in 1999, but he will be forever remembered not only for being the highest scorer in an NBA game, but also for being one of the<a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/huddle/nba/nba-news/top-10-players-with-the-most-points-in-nba-history"> top 10 players with the most points in NBA history</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Top 10 Highest Scoring NBA Games</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>1. Wilt Chamberlain vs New York Knicks, March 2, 1962 (100 points)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>As mentioned above, Wilt Chamberlain currently occupies the no.1 spot on the list of the highest scoring NBA games of all time.</p> <p>His destruction job of the New York Knicks in 1962 makes him the only man in NBA history ever to hit triple digits in a single game. It’s important to note, this clinic was not a one off, prepare to see a whole lot more of Wilt as you scroll through this list.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2. Kobe Bryant vs Toronto Raptors, January 22, 2006 (81 points)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Joining Chamberlain on the NBA’s highest scorers in a single game podium, is the late, great Kobe Bryant.</p> <p>While at the peak of his powers for the LA Lakers, King Kobe hit a staggering 81 points against the Raptors in 2006. This is the closest anyone has ever come to matching Chamberlain’s record 100-point haul.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3. Wilt Chamberlain vs Los Angeles Lakers, December 8, 1961 (78 points)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Looks like Wilt decided there was only room for two people on the highest scores in an NBA game podium, as he takes out the third spot as well as the first.</p> <p>Mere months before his 100-point game, Chamberlain set the then NBA record of 78 points in a single match against the Lakers.</p> <p>Arguably the most incredible thing about this game was the fact that Chamberlain’s team, Philadelphia, lost. Yes, Wilt scored 78 points and still lost.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>T-4. David Thompson vs Detroit Pistons, April 9, 1978 (73 points)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Denver Nuggets’ legend and one of the first purveyors of athletic dunks, David Thompson, helped himself to 73 points against the Detroit Pistons in 1978.</p> <p>Remarkably it was the Pistons who helped themselves to the win, with Thompson’s heroics not enough to see out the win.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>T-4. Wilt Chamberlain vs Chicago Packers, January 13, 1962 (73 points)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Well, it’s been one whole place since we’ve mentioned Wilt Chamberlain, so here he is again. As well as being first and third, Chamberlain is also equal fourth on this list.</p> <p>The legendary centre could very easily stand-alone at no.4 he hadn’t had an uncharacteristically off day from the free throw line. He made just 15 of his 25 shots from the charity stripe that day, as his Warriors ran riot against the now defunct Chicago Packers.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>T-4. Wilt Chamberlain vs New York Knicks, November 16, 1962 (73 points)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Are you even surprised at this point? Equaling David Thompson and Wilt Chamberlain's 73 points is, uh, Wilt Chamberlain?</p> <p>Yep, the same year he dropped 73 on the Packers, he did likewise to the Knicks.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>7. Wilt Chamberlain vs Los Angeles Lakers, November 3, 1962 (72 points)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Ok seriously, someone stop this man. This is the last time Wilt appears on this list, we promise.</p> <p>With a 100-point game and two 73-point games to boot, Chamberlain decided to notch a cheeky 72 points against the Lakers in November of 1972.</p> <p>To put the legendary center’s scoring prowess into perspective, consider this: Only five players beside Chamberlain have scored 60 points or more on multiple occasions. Kobe Bryant (6 times), Damian Lillard (5 times), Michael Jordan (4 times), James Harden (4 times), and Elgin Baylor (3 times).</p> <p>Big Wilt did it 32 times. Yes 32. There’s a reason nearly half the entrants on this list are him.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>T-8. Elgin Baylor vs New York Knicks, November 15, 1960 (71 points)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Turns out nearly everyone was beating up on the Knicks in the 60s. Lakers’ small forward Elgin Baylor was no exception.</p> <p>He recorded 71 points against the New York franchise on November 15, 1960.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>T-8. David Robinson vs Los Angeles Clippers, April 24, 1994 (71 points)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The admiral of 90s basketball in the NBA, David Robinson, put up a 71-point against the Clippers in April of 94’.</p> <p>Robinson went off to bury the Clips and add another highlight to a career that included two NBA championships, an MVP and 10 All-Star appearances.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>T-8. Donovan Mitchell vs Chicago Bulls, January 2, 2023 (71 points)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>While this list of NBA single game scorers is made up predominantly of old school players, Donovan Mitchell is not only still active in the NBA, but he recorded his 71-point haul earlier this year.</p> <p>The Cavs marquee man was on a one man mission against the Chicago Bulls on the second day of 2023, as he fired his side to an overtime victory with a 71-point performance that included seven threes and 20 made free throws.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>T-8. Damian Lillard vs Houston Rockets, February 26, 2023 (71 points)</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Yes, technically this is the 11th entry in a top 10 list, but we had to give Damien Lillard his flowers after his 71-point game against Houston earlier this year.</p> <p>Lillard moved into equal 8th on the list of most points in an NBA game after single handedly dismantling the Rockets with a one-man masterclass that included no less than 13 three-pointers.</p> <p>He ended the game with a true shooting percentage of 80.4%, the most efficient on this entire list and became the only player over 30 to score 70+ points in a single NBA game. Bombs away indeed.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Need more basketball in your life? 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