Scoring is one of the most important aspects of basketball, and the NBA has seen some incredible performances over the years. The league has a long and storied history, and there have been many players who have scored an impressive number of points in a single game. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the most memorable performances in NBA history.
Wilt Chamberlain - 100 Points
On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain put on one of the most dominant performances in NBA history. Playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks, Chamberlain scored an incredible 100 points in a single game. This is still the NBA record for most points in a game, and it's a record that may never be broken.
Chamberlain's performance was truly remarkable. He made 36 of his 63 field goal attempts, and he also made 28 of his 32 free throws. He played all 48 minutes of the game, and he did it all without the benefit of a three-point line.
Kobe Bryant - 81 Points
On January 22, 2006, Kobe Bryant put on an incredible performance against the Toronto Raptors. In just 41 minutes of play, Bryant scored 81 points, the second-highest total in NBA history. He made 28 of his 46 field goal attempts, including 7 of 13 from three-point range, and he also made 18 of his 20 free throw attempts.
Bryant's performance was truly one for the ages. He scored 55 points in the second half alone, and he had a hand in 66 of the Lakers' 122 points. His performance helped the Lakers overcome a 14-point deficit and win the game 122-104.
David Robinson - 71 Points
On April 24, 1994, David Robinson put on a dominant performance against the Los Angeles Clippers. Playing for the San Antonio Spurs, Robinson scored 71 points, the third-highest total in NBA history. He made 26 of his 41 field goal attempts, and he also made 18 of his 25 free throw attempts.
Robinson's performance helped the Spurs secure a playoff spot, and it cemented his status as one of the best players in the league. He won the NBA scoring title that season, averaging 29.8 points per game.
Elgin Baylor - 64 Points
On November 8, 1959, Elgin Baylor put on an incredible performance against the New York Knicks. Playing for the Minneapolis Lakers, Baylor scored 64 points, the fourth-highest total in NBA history at the time. He made 25 of his 47 field goal attempts, and he also made 14 of his 17 free throw attempts.
Baylor's performance helped the Lakers win the game 136-115, and it was a sign of things to come. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career, and he is widely regarded as one of the best players in NBA history.
Michael Jordan - 63 Points
On April 20, 1986, Michael Jordan put on a legendary performance against the Boston Celtics. Playing for the Chicago Bulls, Jordan scored 63 points, the fifth-highest total in NBA history. He made 22 of his 41 field goal attempts, and he also made 19 of his 21 free throw attempts.
Jordan's performance was particularly impressive because he did it against one of the best teams in NBA history. The Celtics were the defending NBA champions, and they had won 67 games during the regular season. Jordan's performance helped the Bulls push the Celtics to double overtime, but they ultimately lost the game 135-131.
Conclusion
The NBA has seen many incredible performances over the years, and the players on this list have all etched their names into the record books. Whether it's Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game or Kobe Bryant's 81-point game, these performances will never be forgotten. As the NBA continues to evolve, it's always possible that we'll see another player put up an incredible scoring performance. But for now, these players remain at the top of the scoring mountain.