Which Player Scored the Most Points in an NBA Game?
Who scored the most points in a single NBA game? Learn about the top 10 highest scoring performances and the players behind these historic moments.
Basketball is one of the most exciting sports that has kept the audience hooked for years. It is a sport where players and their points determine their performance and how valuable they are. In professional basketball, the highest level of competition is the National Basketball Association, commonly known as the NBA.
Over the years, the NBA has witnessed many incredible performances and these performances have helped form some of the legendary players.
Some athletes have delivered unforgettable games where they have scored extraordinary points in a single match.
When a player scores a large number of points in one game it shows their skill, stamina and determination. There are only a few players in NBA history who have managed to cross the 70-point mark in a single game.
As of March 2026, Kobe Bryant’s 81 point score has been defeated by Bam Adebayo. Below we will be exploring the most points scored by a player in an NBA game and look at 10 of the highest individual scoring performances in league history.
READ| Quiz on NBA
What is the Most Points Scored by a Player in an NBA Game?
The record for the most points scored in a single NBA game belongs to Wilt Chamberlain.
On 02 March 1962, Chamberlain scored an incredible 100 points while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks according to the NBA website.
This historic game took place in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Even now his record remains unbroken and players try their best to reach that mark.
Top 10 Highest Scoring Performances in NBA History
Here are 10 players who have given exceptional performances and given some of the highest point totals in a single NBA game.
| Player | Points | Date | Team | Opponent |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 100 Points | 02 March 1962 | Philadelphia Warriors | New York Knicks |
| Bam Adebayo | 83 Points | 10 March 2026 | Miami Heat | Washington Wizards |
| Kobe Bryant | 81 Points | 22 January 2006 | Los Angeles Lakers | Toronto Raptors |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 78 Points | 8 December 1961 | Golden State Warriors | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Luka Doncic | 73 Points | 26 January 2024 | Dallas Mavericks | Atlanta Hawks |
| David Thompson | 73 Points | 9 April 1978 | Denver Nuggets | Detroit Pistons |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 73 Points | 16 November 1962 | Golden State Warriors | New York Knicks |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 73 Points | 13 January 1962 | Golden State Warriors | Chicago Packers |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 72 Points | 3 November 1962 | Golden State Warriors | Los Angeles Lakers |
| Damian Lillard | 71 Points | 26 February 2023 | Trail Blazers | Rockets |
Interesting Facts About NBA Scoring Records
Here are some interesting facts about NBA records to keep you hooked:
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Wilt Chamberlain has multiple entries among the highest scoring games in NBA history.
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Kobe Bryant’s 81-point performance now ranks third after Bam Adebayo scores 83 points.
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Only a small number of players in NBA history have scored 70 or more points in a single game.
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Wilt Chamberlain has the most consecutive games with 60-plus points.
To conclude, the record for the most points scored in an NBA game remains one of the most famous achievements in sports history. Wilt Chamberlain’s incredible 100-point performance in 1962 still stands as the highest scoring game ever recorded in the NBA. These games remind fans why basketball is such an exciting sport.
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