Who Scored the Most Points in a Single NBA Game?
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Kobe Byrant scored the most points in a single NBA game with 81 points. This record was set on January 22, 2006.
Wilt Chamberlain
On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain set the NBA single-game scoring record by scoring 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a 169–147 win over the New York Knicks at Hershey Sports Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It is widely considered one of the greatest individual performances in basketball history.
100-point game
On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain scored 100 points against the New York Knicks, setting the NBA single-game scoring record. The game was played at Hershey Sports Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It was the fourth and final game of a four-game road trip for Chamberlain and the Warriors. Entering the game, Chamberlain had scored 271 points in the three previous games on the trip, averaging 90.3 points per game. The Warriors scored 169 points as a team that night, also an NBA record at that time.
78-point game
On January 12, 1962, Chamberlain set the NBA single-game scoring record by scoring 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors in a 169–147 victory over the New York Knicks at Hershey Sports Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It is widely considered one of the greatest individual single-game performances in basketball history. Chamberlain made 36 of 63 field goal attempts and 28 of 32 free throw attempts. He defeated legendary Knicks center Willie Naulls, who later said Chamberlain was “the most awesome player [I’ve] ever seen.”
Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bean Bryant is an American professional basketball player. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
81-point game
On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant set an NBA record by scoring 81 points in a 122-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors. It was the second-highest scoring performance in NBA history, second only to Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point game in 1962.
Bryant’s 81-point outburst was simply incredible. He shot 28-for-46 from the field, 7-for-13 from three-point range, and 18-for-20 from the foul line. He also had six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in 42 minutes of play.
The Lakers were trailing by 18 points early in the third quarter before Bryant took over. He scored an astounding 55 points in the second half and overtime to lead his team to victory. When it was all said and done, Bryant had scored more points than any other player in a single game in NBA history.
61-point game
Kobe Bryant’s 61-point game was a spectacular offensive performance by the Lakers star, who did it all against the hapless Toronto Raptors. Kobe was 20-for-31 from the field and 17-for-18 from the free throw line, adding seven assists and five rebounds in the Lakers’ 122-104 victory. It was one of the most dominant scoring performances in NBA history.
Michael Jordan
On April 16, 1986, Michael Jordan scored 63 points against the Boston Celtics, setting the record for the most points scored in a single NBA game. This performance was one of many that made Jordan one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Let’s take a look at some other players who have come close to scoring as many points in a game.
69-point game
On April 20, 1986, Jordan scored an opponent playoff-record 69 points against the Boston Celtics in Game 2 of the first round. The Bulls lost the game 117-114 in double overtime, but this performance announced to the basketball world that a star had arrived. He did all this despite playing with flu-like symptoms. When asked about his performance after the game, a weary Jordan simply said, “I just wanted to win.”
63-point game
On April 20, 1986, in Game 2 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, Jordan set the NBA playoff scoring record by tallying 63 points against the Boston Celtics. The Celts were a superior team, and they would go on to win the title that year. Nevertheless, Jordan’s herculean effort — which included an incredible baskets in the final minutes to force overtime — is considered one of the greatest individual performances in NBA history.
Elgin Baylor
Elgin Baylor was an NBA player who was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers in 1958. He played for 14 seasons and was a 10-time NBA All-Star. He is also a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. On November 15, 1960, Baylor set the NBA single-game scoring record by scoring 71 points against the New York Knicks.
71-point game
Elgin Baylor is a retired American professional basketball player. He played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning Rookie of the Year in 1959 and selected to 11 NBA All-Star teams. In 1977, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Baylor was a gifted shooter who could score from anywhere on the court, but was particularly adept at driving to the hoop and finishing with acrobatic layups. He had a 42-inch vertical leap and was one of the first players to introduce theconcept of hang time to basketball.
Baylor set several records during his career as a member of the Lakers. He scored a then-record 71 points against the New York Knicks in 1960, a mark that stood for nearly four decades before being broken by Kobe Bryant in 2006. He also grabbed 27 rebounds in that game, which remained a record for guard until 1980 when it was eclipsed by Magic Johnson. In 1962, Baylor averaged 38.3 points per game, a record that stood for 20 years until it was broken by Michael Jordan in 1987. For his career, Baylor averaged 27.4 points per game and 13.5 rebounds per game, leading the Lakers to eight NBA Finals appearances during his tenure with the team.
64-point game
In 1961, Elgin Baylor set the single-game scoring record in the NBA with 64 points. It was a record that would stand for nearly a decade, until fellow Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain topped it with a game-winning 68-point performance in 1962. Baylor’s record stood as the third most points ever scored in an NBA game until Kobe Bryant scored 81 points against the Toronto Raptors in 2006.
David Robinson
On April 24, 1994, David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs scored 71 points against the Los Angeles Clippers. This was the most points scored by any player in a single game that season. Robinson’s performance helped the Spurs win the game by a margin of 30 points.
71-point game
On April 24, 1974, David Robinson scored 71 points for the Navy Midshipmen in a 117-82 win over the Detroit Mercy Titans. It is the second-highest scoring performance in Division I men’s basketball history, behind only Frank Selvy’s 100-point game for Furman in 1954.
71-point game
On April 24, 1986, David Robinson scored 71 points for the San Antonio Spurs in a game against the Los Angeles Clippers. This performance still stands as the fifth highest scoring game in NBA history. In addition to his 71 points, Robinson also had 10 rebounds and 6 blocks in the Spurs’ 112-97 victory.
