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Some sports moments simply stand out from others, and in basketball, there’s been no capacity for great performances over the years. From incredible playoff series to unbelievable comebacks, the NBA is no stranger to showcasing some of the best single-game performances in the sport’s history.
Several factors constitute a great performance, although only so many games can fit on the list of greatest single-game performances in NBA history. In this article, we highlight several single NBA performances that were unlike any other, including some of the highest-scoring games, players, and best comebacks.
Tipping it off with the second-highest-scoring game to ever occur in the NBA, the February 2023 Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Clippers game saw a total of 351 points scored. While still 19 points short of the record for most points scored in one match, this game was a privilege to watch.
The Kings De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk netted a combined 87 points, and Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for the Clippers with a combined 78. In terms of impeccable single-game performances, this double-overtime bout will go down as one of the greatest.
You could argue the Lakers legend Kobe Bryant had better games than this in his career, but scoring 81 points in one professional basketball match is unheard of. On January 22, 2006, the Lakers veteran would net 81 points in a 122-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Kobe shot 7-13 from the arc and made 18 of his 20 free throws, making up just a portion of his terrorizing courtside performance that night. Even though Wilt Chamberlain still holds the official record for most points scored (100 pts) in a game (with no video evidence), this 2006 Lakers matchup goes down as one of the greatest performances for a single player.
Moving on from one NBA legend to an even older one, we have another player with one of the greatest single-game performances in history in terms of point scoring, known as Wilt Chamberlain. In a 169-147 win over the New York Knicks, Wilt Chamberlain would score exactly 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors on the 1962 scorecard.
While only radio commentary was broadcast for the remainder of this game, Chamberlain shot 28 of his 32 free throws, apparently all underhand. It’s no surprise the 7’1” legend would score so many points in his career, but Chamberlain still holds the record for most points scored by one player in a single game, a feat that deserves a label as one of the greatest single-game performances in NBA history.
On the night of November 27, 1996, the Utah Jazz would pull off the largest deficit comeback in NBA history against the Denver Nuggets. Before halftime, the game was sitting at 70-34 in favor of the Nuggets before ultimately ending 107-103 for the Jazz.
Denver’s Bryant Stith would have an incredible performance with 31 points, although Jazz’s Karl Malone would lead the comeback with 31 points of his own to match. With players from both sides playing crisp basketball, it’s hard to see how the Nuggets blew a 36-point lead, although this game still makes for one of the greatest single performances in NBA history.
Just ousting the Kings vs. Clippers match by 19 total points is the December 13th, 1983 Pistons vs. Nuggets game, going down in history as the game with the most points scored between both teams with 370 total points. The Pistons would win in a close triple-overtime game, ending with 186 points to Denver’s 184.
Pistons Isah Thomas would score 47 points with 17 assists, John Long would score 41 points, and Kelly Tripucka would score 35. On the Nuggets side, Kiki VanDeWeghe netted 51 points with 8 assists and Alex English netted 47 points and 7 assists, making for one of the best single-game NBA performances of all time.
Liam has been a major sports fan and soccer player for over a decade, with a particular focus on major top-level soccer leagues, including the EPL, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and MLS. He has written numerous promotional articles for various top sportsbooks and continues to publish historical and factual sports articles covering the NFL, MLS, NHL, MLB, EPL and more.