The National Basketball Association, or NBA, is the leading men's professional basketball league in North America. The NBA is home to some of the most talented and skilled athletes in the world. With that being said, it is no surprise that the league has seen some remarkable performances over the years. One of the most notable is the highest points scored by a single player in a game. In this article, we will discuss the highest points scored in an NBA game.
Wilt Chamberlain – 100 Points
The highest points scored in an NBA game is 100 points, a record held by Wilt Chamberlain. On March 2, 1962, Chamberlain, who played for the Philadelphia Warriors at the time, scored the remarkable feat against the New York Knicks. This game has since become one of the most legendary performances in NBA history.
Chamberlain's 100-point game is an incredible achievement. He scored 36 field goals and made 28 free throws, with a shooting percentage of over 50%. His performance helped lead the Warriors to a 169-147 victory over the Knicks.
Kobe Bryant – 81 Points
Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players of all time, scored the second-highest points in an NBA game. He scored 81 points on January 22, 2006, while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Toronto Raptors.
Bryant's performance was nothing short of spectacular. He made 28 of 46 field goal attempts and shot 7 of 13 from three-point range. The Lakers won the game 122-104.
David Robinson – 71 Points
David Robinson, a former player for the San Antonio Spurs, scored the third-highest points in an NBA game. He scored 71 points on April 24, 1994, against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Robinson's performance was impressive, to say the least. He made 26 of 41 field goal attempts and shot 18 of 25 from the free-throw line. The Spurs won the game 112-97.
Elgin Baylor – 71 Points
Elgin Baylor, a former player for the Los Angeles Lakers, also scored 71 points in an NBA game. He accomplished this feat on November 15, 1960, against the New York Knicks.
Baylor's performance was remarkable, especially considering he played in an era where scoring was much lower than it is today. He made 28 of 48 field goal attempts and shot 15 of 18 from the free-throw line. The Lakers won the game 123-108.
Devin Booker – 70 Points
Devin Booker, a current player for the Phoenix Suns, is the most recent player to score over 70 points in an NBA game. He scored 70 points on March 24, 2017, against the Boston Celtics.
Booker's performance was impressive, especially considering he was only 20 years old at the time. He made 21 of 40 field goal attempts and shot 4 of 11 from three-point range. The Suns lost the game 130-120.
Conclusion
The highest points scored in an NBA game is an impressive feat that only a select few players have accomplished. With Chamberlain's 100-point game being the most legendary, there have been many other incredible performances throughout the years. As the league continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see if any other players will join this elite group of athletes.