Wilt’s Unreal Record & NBA’s Craziest High-Score Battles!
NBA’s Most Insane Scoring Feat
Scoring in the NBA has gone through significant changes over the years. Today, the game is all about speed, spacing, and the three-point line. The likes of Stephen Curry, Anthony Edwards, and James Harden have developed a reputation as long-range marksmen. But here’s the catch: while they were incredibly good at burying the ball, not a single one of those players holds the record for the most points scored in an NBA game.
For that, there is a legend whose name is still whispered in awe decades later.
Wilt Chamberlain: The 100-Point Game
When it comes to record-breaking dominance, no one comes close to Wilt Chamberlain. On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain rewrote history by dropping 100 points in a single game against the New York Knicks. The Philadelphia Warriors won that night 169–147, and Wilt was responsible for nearly 60% of the team’s total score.
His scoring breakdown is almost hard to believe:
- 23 points in the first quarter
- 41 by halftime
- 28 in the third
- And 31 in the fourth to hit the century mark
There was no three-point line back then—every point came the hard way. Chamberlain was so dominant that the NBA had to tweak its rules just to level the playing field. That game isn’t just a record—it’s a milestone that feels untouchable.
Kobe Bryant: 81 Points
Fast-forward to January 22, 2006. The Lakers were up against the Toronto Raptors when Kobe Bryant decided to go nuclear. He put up 81 points, the second-highest NBA-leading points per game total in league history.
Phil Jackson, who coached both Michael Jordan and Kobe, called it the most remarkable performance he had ever seen. And coming from a coach who’s seen just about everything, that says a lot.
Kobe’s night wasn’t just about points—it was about will. The Lakers needed every one of those buckets, and Bryant delivered with surgical precision. Fadeaways, threes, fast breaks—he did it all.
Luka Doncic: 73 Points
In the current NBA landscape, where scoring is faster and flashier, Luka Doncic has already made his mark. In a January 2024 game against the Atlanta Hawks, the Dallas Mavericks star exploded for 73 points. He had 41 by halftime, breaking Dirk Nowitzki’s franchise record for points in a half, and kept his foot on the gas.
Doncic showed off the full range of his offensive arsenal—step-backs, drives, deep threes, and creative finishes at the rim. At just 26, he has years ahead of him, it wouldn’t be surprising if Luka breaks his own record someday—or even goes after Wilt’s crown of highest score in an NBA game.
What Is the Highest Score in an NBA Game by a Team?
Scoring records aren’t just about individuals. Some of the wildest numbers have come from team efforts that turned into all-out shootouts.
Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets – 1983
This one was pure chaos. On December 13, 1983, the Pistons and Nuggets combined for a jaw-dropping 370 points in a triple-overtime thriller. Detroit edged it out 186–184.
186 points is still the all time NBA scoring record by a team in a single NBA game. Denver’s 184 puts them second.
Neither team played much defense, but they ran the floor like madmen. The pace was relentless, and both offenses were stacked. It was the perfect storm for a record-breaking night.
Sacramento Kings vs. LA Clippers – 2023
It took 40 years for another game to come close. On February 24, 2023, the Kings and Clippers went toe-to-toe in a double-overtime slugfest, combining for 351 points. The Kings took the win 176–175.
De’Aaron Fox poured in 42 points, while Kawhi Leonard dropped 44 for the Clippers. What made this one special wasn’t just the score—it was the balance. Both teams had seven players score in double digits. It was a total team effort, with stars leading the way and role players stepping up.
Basketball Points Per Game Scoring Trends
During each decade, the way to post the basketball points per game changes. In the 1980s, teams scored around 109 points per game. By the late ’90s, that lowered to about 95, a result of the slower pace and better defense.
Today, we’re on the upswing again. In the 2020 season, teams combined to score around 112.7 points per game — and yes, that number is climbing. Thanks to a three-point boom, improved spacing, and an emphasis on pace, high-scoring games are now the standard rather than the exception.
The NBA has always been about exploring boundaries — of athleticism, of strategy, of statistics. From Wilt’s 100-point masterpiece to Luka’s opus, the game keeps changing.
Records don’t tumble all that frequently, but when they do, they serve as a reminder for why we watch in the first place: to see if we’ll see something never to be forgotten.
