Most Points Scored by a Player in an NBA Game

The game of basketball is constantly evolving, so is the NBA, but the ultimate goal hasn’t changed, and that is to score higher points against your opposing team to get the victory. With this in mind, players have produced an offensive arsenal throughout the history of the NBA to boost their team’s NBA championship odds.

In today’s modern era, there are plenty of spectacular scorers who are displaying an array of in-game moves to find the bottom of the net which adds to the excitement of NBA betting. From Stephen Curry’s record-setting three-pointers, DeMar DeRozan’s elbow jumper up to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s unstoppable drive, we’ve witnessed it all.

But who has accumulated the most points in one game among these NBA superstars? Here’s a list of the top seven NBA players who hold the most points in a single game. Please note that this list consists of different players as Wilt Chamberlain scored multiple 70-point games.

Wilt Chamberlain – 100 points

Wilt Chamberlain is arguably the most dominant player in history, his record of 100 points in a single game is one solid case to claim this title. On March 2, 1962, he did this during his third year in the league in a win against the New York Knicks. Chamberlain shot 36 out of 63 attempts at 57.1% efficiency, thus adding 28 free throws. Additionally, he grabbed 25 rebounds in the same game to cap off the historic night.

Kobe Bryant – 81 points

On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant torched the Toronto Raptors inside the Staples Center with 81 points to set the second-most points scored in a single game. Bryant’s shooting was brilliant in this game as he shot 53.8% on threes and 60.9% overall on 46 attempts. This was also Bryant’s highest-scoring season as he averaged 35.4 points in 80 games that season. Kobe helped the Lakers take the victory over the visitors.

15 years ago today 💜💛

Kobe Bryant, 81 points. pic.twitter.com/6lW5SdM9te

— NBA (@NBA) January 22, 2021

David Thompson – 73 points

Despite losing the game to the Detroit Pistons, 137-139 on April 9, 1978, the Denver Nuggets had a silver lining as they witnessed the third-highest scoring by a player in one game after David Thompson put up 73 points. Thompson did this in his second year in the league and averaged 27.2 points, the highest-scoring season of his eight-year career. He did it in an incredible 73.7% shooting from the field on only 38 attempts.

David Robinson – 71 points

On April 24, 1994, David Robinson literally carried the offensive load of the San Antonio Spurs when he scored 71 points and was the only player to produce a double-digit output against the Los Angeles Clippers. This season was also his highest-scoring number at 29.8 per game in 80 games. This performance from the two-time NBA Champion and former one-time MVP blew the Los Angeles Clippers, 112-97 on their home floor, to pick the win for his team.

Elgin Baylor – 71 points

One of the best forwards in history, Elgin Baylor has schooled the New York Knicks on November 15, 1960, as he scored his highest-scoring game of his career of 71 points to collect the fifth win of the Lakers in that season, 123-108. Baylor produced this scoring feat in his sophomore year and averaged the fourth-best season average of 29.6 points per outing.

Damian Lillard – 71 points

Damian Lillards’s 71-point game against the Houston Rockets happened on February 26, 2023. It is tied with the highest output by any player in recent memory. With this career-high game, “Dame Time” proved that he is one of the best scorers in today’s game, thus cementing his place as a Blazers legend. He shot 57.9% from the field on 38 attempts, thus adding six boards and six assists in the victory.

Damian Lillard. 71 points. Enjoy. #RipCity pic.twitter.com/x5PbH9GFlu

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) February 27, 2023

Donovan Mitchell – 71 points

In Donovan Mitchell’s first season with Cleveland after the blockbuster trade from Utah, he immediately brought his elite scoring ability. This culminated in his 34th game as a Cavalier on January 2, 2023, when he scored a career-best 71 points against the Chicago Bulls to help the team eked out a 145-134 overtime win. “Spida” shot an incredible 64% from the field and capped off the historic night with eight rebounds and 11 assists.

71 POINTS
8 REB, 11 AST & OT W

Donovan Mitchell sets a new scoring record for the @Cavs and becomes only the 7th player in @NBAHistory to score 70+ points in a game. pic.twitter.com/SJZu1j7OI9

— NBA (@NBA) January 3, 2023