List of National Basketball Association players with most points in a game

This is a complete listing of National Basketball Association players who have scored 60 or more points in a game.

This feat has been accomplished 62 times in NBA history. Twenty different players have scored 60 or more points in a game. Only four players have scored 60 points on more than one occasion: Wilt Chamberlain 32 times, Michael Jordan five times, Kobe Bryant five times, and Elgin Baylor four times.

Jordan (63) and Baylor (61) are the only players to score at least 60 points in a game during the playoffs, each accomplishing this once.

^ Active NBA player
* Enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Occurred in playoff competition
MP Minutes played FGM Field goals made FGA Field goal attempts
FG% Field goal percentage 3PM 3-point field goals made 3PA 3-point field goal attempts
FTM Free throws made FTA Free throw attempts FT% Free throw percentage
Reb Rebounds Ast Assists
Points Player Date First Second Third Fourth Team Opponent Score MP FGM FGA FG% 3PM 3PA FTM FTA FT% Reb Ast Note Ref.
Scoring by quarter
100 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-03-02 March 2, 1962 23 18 28 31 Philadelphia Warriors New York Knicks 169–147 48 36 63 .571 — — 28 32 .875 25 2 59 points scored in the second half, setting the NBA record. Game played at Hershey, Pennsylvania. [1][2] [3]
81 Bryant, KobeKobe Bryant^ 02006-01-22 January 22, 2006 14 12 27 28 Los Angeles Lakers Toronto Raptors 122–104 42 28 46 .609 7 13 18 20 .900 6 2 Highest NBA scoring output recorded and broadcasted on video media (Chamberlain's 100 point game did not have TV coverage) [4]
78 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01961-12-08 December 8, 1961 Philadelphia Warriors Los Angeles Lakers 147–151 63 31 62 .500 — — 16 31 .516 43 1 3 OT; set a then-record for points in a game. Most points scored in a losing effort.
73 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-01-13 January 13, 1962 Philadelphia Warriors Chicago Packers 135–117 48 29 48 .604 — — 15 25 .600 36 0 Set a then-record for points in a regulation game.
73 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-11-16 November 16, 1962 San Francisco Warriors New York Knicks 127–111 48 29 43 .674 — — 15 19 .789 Chamberlain made 14 consecutive free throws at one point.
73 Thompson, DavidDavid Thompson* 01978-04-09 April 9, 1978 32 21 9 11 Denver Nuggets Detroit Pistons 137–139 43 28 38 .737 — — 17 20 .850 7 2 Thompson shot 13-14 from the field in the first quarter, setting an NBA record. 53 points on 20-23 shooting in 22 minutes played. Last game of the season; George Gervin scored 63 on the same night to win the scoring title by a .07 margin.
72 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-11-03 November 3, 1962 San Francisco Warriors Los Angeles Lakers 115–127 29 48 .604 — — 14 18 .778
71 Baylor, ElginElgin Baylor* 01960-11-15 November 15, 1960 Los Angeles Lakers New York Knicks 123–108 28 48 .583 — — 15 18 .833 25 Set a then-record for points in a game.
71 Robinson, DavidDavid Robinson* 01994-04-24 April 24, 1994 San Antonio Spurs Los Angeles Clippers 112–97 44 26 41 .634 1 2 18 25 .720 14 5 Scored on the last day of the regular season to win a scoring title over Shaquille O'Neal.
70 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01963-03-10 March 10, 1963 San Francisco Warriors Syracuse Nationals 148–163 48 27 38 .711 — — 16 22 .727 18 3
69 Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan* 01990-03-28 March 28, 1990 Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers 117–113 50 23 37 .622 2 6 21 23 .913 18 6 Overtime victory; also recorded his regular season career high for rebounds in this game. Also had four steals.
68 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01967-12-16 December 16, 1967 14 15 15 24 Philadelphia 76ers Chicago Bulls 143–123 30 40 .750 — — 8 22 .364 34 2 Chamberlain made 12 consecutive field goals at one point.
68 Maravich, PetePete Maravich* 01977-02-25 February 25, 1977 17 14 17 20 New Orleans Jazz New York Knicks 124–107 43 26 43 .605 — — 16 19 .842 6 6 Fouled out with 1:18 remaining.
67 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01961-03-09 March 9, 1961 Philadelphia Warriors New York Knicks 135–126 27 37 .730 — — 13 17 .765 31 1
67 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-02-17 February 17, 1962 Philadelphia Warriors St. Louis Hawks 121–128 48 26 44 .591 — — 15 20 .750 28 2
67 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-02-25 February 25, 1962 Philadelphia Warriors New York Knicks 135–149 48 25 38 .658 — — 17 22 .773 21 1
67 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01963-01-11 January 11, 1963 San Francisco Warriors Los Angeles Lakers 129–134 28 47 .596 — — 11 17 .647 25
66 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01969-02-09 February 9, 1969 17 17 22 10 Los Angeles Lakers Phoenix Suns 134–116 48 29 35 .829 — — 8 18 .444 27 4 Last time Chamberlain scored 60+ at 32 years and 162 days (Record). 22 of his 29 field goals were slam dunks.
65 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-02-13 February 13, 1962 Philadelphia Warriors Cincinnati Royals 132–152 48 24 40 .600 — — 17 30 .567 22 4
65 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-02-27 February 27, 1962 Philadelphia Warriors St. Louis Hawks 147–137 48 25 43 .581 — — 15 20 .750 23 2
65 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01966-02-07 February 7, 1966 Philadelphia 76ers Los Angeles Lakers 132–125 28 43 .651 — — 9 20 .450 29 2
65 Bryant, KobeKobe Bryant^ 02007-03-16 March 16, 2007 4 19 9 24 Los Angeles Lakers Portland Trail Blazers 116–111 50 23 39 .590 8 12 11 12 .917 7 3 Scored basket that sent the game to OT. Scored nine in extra period.
64 Baylor, ElginElgin Baylor* 01959-11-08 November 8, 1959 13 12 17 22 Minneapolis Lakers Boston Celtics 136–115 25 47 .532 — — 14 19 .737 17 8 Set a then-record for points in a game.
64 Barry, RickRick Barry* 01974-03-26 March 26, 1974 23 22 Golden State Warriors Portland Trail Blazers 143–120 43 30 45 .667 — — 4 5 .800 10 9 Barry scored 45 points and made 21 field goals in the second half. Last Warriors home game of season.
64 Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan* 01993-01-16 January 16, 1993 Chicago Bulls Orlando Magic 124–128 47 27 49 .551 1 5 9 11 .818 6 1 OT. Also had five steals.
63 Fulks, JoeJoe Fulks* 01949-02-10 February 10, 1949 Philadelphia Warriors Indianapolis Jets 108–87 — 27 56 .482 — — 9 14 .643 — Pre-shot clock era; set a then-record for points in a game. Fulks played all except the final minute of the game before the smallest crowd of the season at Philadelphia Arena. Only 1,500 fans showed up because of a transportation strike that was due to go into effect at midnight.
63 Baylor, ElginElgin Baylor* 01961-12-08 December 8, 1961 Los Angeles Lakers Philadelphia Warriors 151–147 23 55 .418 — — 17 24 .708 31 7 3 OT; second time Baylor had a line of 60-10-5; no other player in NBA history accomplished that feat more than once; teammate Jerry West had a triple-double with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
63 West, JerryJerry West* 01962-01-17 January 17, 1962 Los Angeles Lakers New York Knicks 129–121 39 22 36 .611 — — 19 22 .864 First player in NBA history to score 60+ points in fewer than 40 minutes total playing time; only such instance in the 1960s.
63 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-12-14 December 14, 1962 San Francisco Warriors Los Angeles Lakers 118–120 24 — — 15 20 .750 30 Elgin Baylor scored 51; 3rd and final time that Chamberlain scored 60+ and Baylor scored 50+ in the same game.
63 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01964-11-26 November 26, 1964 San Francisco Warriors Philadelphia 76ers 117–128 27 58 .466 — — 9 20 .450 32
63 Gervin, GeorgeGeorge Gervin* 01978-04-09 April 9, 1978 20 33 San Antonio Spurs New Orleans Jazz 132–153 33 23 49 .469 — — 17 20 .850 2 1 Scored 33 points in the second quarter, setting the NBA record. Gervin did not score from the field until his sixth attempt with 6:29 left in the first quarter. During the first half, Gervin had two separate streaks of scoring 22 and 18 consecutive points for the Spurs. Lost game but won the scoring title on last game of the season over David Thompson.
63 Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan* 01986-04-20 April 20, 1986 17 6 13 18 Chicago Bulls Boston Celtics 131–135 53 22 41 .537 0 0 19 21 .905 5 6 All-time NBA Playoffs record for points in a game. Double-overtime first-round loss to eventual champions. 5 points in first overtime, 4 points in second overtime.
62 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-01-14 January 14, 1962 Philadelphia Warriors Boston Celtics 136–145 48 27 45 .600 — — 8 10 .800 28 2
62 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-01-17 January 17, 1962 Philadelphia Warriors St. Louis Hawks 136–130 53 24 48 .500 — — 14 20 .700 23 4 OT; Game played at Detroit, Michigan.
62 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-01-21 January 21, 1962 Philadelphia Warriors Syracuse Nationals 139–132 53 25 42 .595 — — 12 17 .706 23 3 OT; Game played at Utica, New York.
62 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01963-01-29 January 29, 1963 San Francisco Warriors New York Knicks 123–103 27 44 .614 — — 8 17 .471 12
62 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01964-11-15 November 15, 1964 San Francisco Warriors Cincinnati Royals 122–106 26 44 .591 — — 10 21 .476 22
62 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01966-03-03 March 3, 1966 Philadelphia 76ers San Francisco Warriors 135–125 26 39 .667 — — 10 19 .526 37
62 McGrady, TracyTracy McGrady^ 02004-03-10 March 10, 2004 7 21 24 10 Orlando Magic Washington Wizards 108–99 46 20 37 .541 5 14 17 26 .654 10 5 Scored only 7 points in the first quarter; missed 10 of his last 11 shots.
62 Bryant, KobeKobe Bryant^ 02005-12-20 December 20, 2005 15 17 30 DNP Los Angeles Lakers Dallas Mavericks 112–90 33 18 31 .581 4 10 22 25 .880 8 0 Sat out the fourth quarter; outscored Dallas alone through three quarters, 62–61.
61 Mikan, GeorgeGeorge Mikan* 01952-01-20 January 20, 1952 18 18 Minneapolis Lakers Rochester Royals 91–81 22 45 .489 — — 17 21 .810 36 2 OT; the rest of the Lakers scored 30 points. Mikan scored 67% of his team's points.
61 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01961-12-09 December 9, 1961 Philadelphia Warriors Chicago Packers 135–113 48 28 48 .583 — — 5 10 .500 36 0
61 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-02-22 February 22, 1962 Philadelphia Warriors St. Louis Hawks 139–121 48 21 36 .583 — — 19 34 .559 26 1
61 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-02-28 February 28, 1962 Philadelphia Warriors Chicago Packers 128–119 48 24 46 .522 — — 13 17 .765 28 6
61 Baylor, ElginElgin Baylor* 01962-04-14 April 14, 1962 18 15 13 15 Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics 126–121 22 46 .478 — — 17 19 .895 22 NBA Finals record for points in a game (game 5 victory); most points in a regulation playoff game.
61 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-11-21 November 21, 1962 San Francisco Warriors Cincinnati Royals 139–143 27 52 .519 — — 7 15 .467 22
61 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-12-11 December 11, 1962 San Francisco Warriors Syracuse Nationals 136–124 27 57 .474 — — 7 11 .636 26
61 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01962-12-18 December 18, 1962 San Francisco Warriors St. Louis Hawks 130–110 26 53 .491 — — 9 14 .643 20
61 Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan* 01987-03-04 March 4, 1987 26 Chicago Bulls Detroit Pistons 125–120 43 22 39 .564 0 0 17 18 .944 7 3 Jordan scored 24 of his team's first 26 points in the fourth quarter and made a key steal to force overtime. Scored five points in overtime. Jordan also had three steals and three blocks on the game. First Pistons home loss of season.
61 Jordan, MichaelMichael Jordan* 01987-04-16 April 16, 1987 Chicago Bulls Atlanta Hawks 114–117 41 22 38 .579 0 3 17 21 .810 10 1 Scored 23 consecutive points in the game, setting an NBA record at the time. Part of a streak in which Jordan scored 50 or more points in three consecutive games to become the only player besides Wilt Chamberlain with a 3,000 point season. Also had four steals.
61 Malone, KarlKarl Malone* 01990-01-27 January 27, 1990 17 13 20 11 Utah Jazz Milwaukee Bucks 144–96 33 21 26 .808 0 0 19 23 .826 18 2
61 O'Neal, ShaquilleShaquille O'Neal 02000-03-06 March 6, 2000 Los Angeles Lakers Los Angeles Clippers 123–103 45 24 35 .686 0 0 13 22 .591 23 3 On his 28th birthday.
61 Bryant, KobeKobe Bryant^ 02009-02-02 February 2, 2009 18 16 12 15 Los Angeles Lakers New York Knicks 126–117 37 19 31 .613 3 6 20 20 1.000 0 3 Record for most points scored (by an opponent or New York player) at current Madison Square Garden (Madison Square Garden IV).
60 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01961-12-01 December 1, 1961 Philadelphia Warriors Los Angeles Lakers 138–117 48 22 47 .468 — — 16 26 .615 21 4
60 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01961-12-29 December 29, 1961 Philadelphia Warriors Los Angeles Lakers 123–118 48 24 43 .558 — — 12 19 .632 26 3 Chamberlain's seventh straight 50+ point game (an NBA record) and 13th straight 40+ point game (he would push this streak to 14 the next evening). Game played at Hershey, Pennsylvania.
60 Chamberlain, WiltWilt Chamberlain* 01969-01-26 January 26, 1969 18 9 10 23 Los Angeles Lakers Cincinnati Royals 126–113 22 36 .611 — — 16 24 .667 21 Game played at Cleveland, Ohio.
60 King, BernardBernard King 01984-12-25 December 25, 1984 21 19 11 9 New York Knicks New Jersey Nets 114–120 41 19 30 .633 0 0 22 26 .846 7 4 6'11" George Johnson primarily guarded King in the second half, starting with 5:44 remaining in the third quarter (King had 49 points by this point). Johnson blocked King on two of his shots.
60 Bird, LarryLarry Bird* 01985-03-12 March 12, 1985 19 18 Boston Celtics Atlanta Hawks 126–115 43 22 36 .611 1 4 15 16 .938 7 3 Bird scored Boston's last 16 points. Bird's 59th and 60th points were scored on a 17-foot jump shot at the buzzer. Game played at University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana.
60 Chambers, TomTom Chambers 01990-03-24 March 24, 1990 Phoenix Suns Seattle SuperSonics 121–95 42 22 32 .688 0 0 16 18 .889 6 4
60 Iverson, AllenAllen Iverson 02005-02-12 February 12, 2005 17 12 11 20 Philadelphia 76ers Orlando Magic 112–99 42 17 36 .472 2 5 24 27 .889 4 6 Also had five steals.
60 Arenas, GilbertGilbert Arenas^ 02006-12-17 December 17, 2006 12 5 12 15 Washington Wizards Los Angeles Lakers 147–141 49 17 32 .531 5 12 21 27 .778 8 8 Scored 16 of his team's 21 points in overtime, setting the NBA record.
60 Bryant, KobeKobe Bryant^ 02007-03-22 March 22, 2007 13 11 19 17 Los Angeles Lakers Memphis Grizzlies 121–119 45 20 37 .541 3 7 17 18 .944 5 4 3rd game of a four-game 50+ streak; Bryant's 50+ streak exceeded only by Chamberlain's streaks of seven (twice), six, and five (four times).

See also

References

  1. ^ Lawrence, Mitch. "Chamberlain's feats the stuff of legend". ESPN.com. http://static.espn.go.com/nba/columns/lawrence_mitch/110858.html. Retrieved 2009-03-18. 
  2. ^ "This Date in History-March". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. http://www.nba.com/history/this_date_march.html. Retrieved 2009-03-18. 
  3. ^ hoophall.com (2007-02-10). "The Story Behind Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game". Archived from the original on 2006-11-18. http://web.archive.org/web/20061118101118/http://www.hoophall.com/exhibits/chamberlain_game.htm. 
  4. ^ "Kobe's 81-point game second only to Wilt". ESPN.com. 2006-01-12. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=260122013. Retrieved 2009-03-18. 

External links

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