SUMMARY
- Wilt Chamberlain's legendary 100-point remains unmatched.
- Kobe Bryant's unforgettable performance in 2006 against the Toronto Raptors made history.
In the history of the NBA, many players have shown their scoring skills, but the record for the most points scored in a single game is still a feat that has been unbroken for years. On March 2, 1962, a historic game took place where a player scored an unbelievable 100 points.
This record-breaking performance was delivered by Wilt Chamberlain, then playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks. Chamberlain made 36 of 63 shots from the field and an impressive 28 of 32 free throws, ending the night with a field-goal percentage of 57.1%. He also had 25 rebounds and 2 assists, while playing all 48 minutes of the game.
The 4-time NBA MVP scored 31 points in the fourth quarter alone. The Philadelphia Warriors won this historic game with a score of 169-147, mostly because of Chamberlain’s heroics.
Chamberlain features an impressive 32 times on the list of players who have scored more than 60 points in an NBA game. Also featuring multiple times are the late Kobe Bryant, who appeared six times, and Michael Jordan, who featured four times.
Kobe Bryant has the second most points in an NBA game
While Wilt Chamberlain’s record seems almost unbreakable, Kobe Bryant came very close to challenging it. On January 22, 2006, Bryant scored 81 points for the Los Angeles Lakers in a game against the Toronto Raptors, setting a record for the second-highest single-game point total in NBA history.
Bryant proved his outstanding scoring skills that night, making 28 out of 46 field goal attempts, including 7 three-pointers from 13 attempts. He also showed efficiency at the free-throw line, where he scored 18 out of 20 attempts. Bryant’s scoring heroics helped the Lakers secure a 122-104 comeback win.
The game was particularly interesting for Bryant’s second-half performance, where he scored 55 of his 81 points, including 27 in the third quarter and 28 in the fourth. His continuous scoring was crucial in turning the game around for the Lakers, leaving the Raptors’ defense without answers. “We were just watching him shoot,” Toronto forward Chris Bosh said.
“That was something to behold,” Lakers coach Phil Jackson said after Kobe’s 81-point game. “It was another level. I’ve seen some remarkable games, but I’ve never seen one like that before.”
Bryant’s achievement not only surprised fans but also basketball veterans. Lakers coach Phil Jackson, who had a history of coaching greats like Michael Jordan, described Bryant’s performance as being on another level. The Staples Center, filled with 18,997 fans was loud with chants of “M-V-P!” as Bryant secured his place in basketball history with this performance.