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List of highest-scoring NBA games

Updated: Wikipedia source

List of highest-scoring NBA games

In basketball, points are used to keep track of the score in a game. Points can be accumulated by making field goals (worth two points from within the three-point line or three points from beyond the three-point line) or free throws (worth one point). The team that records the most points at the end of a game is declared the game's winner. If the game is still tied at the end of regulation play, additional overtime period(s) are played in order to determine the winner. In the years following the founding of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1946, teams only averaged around 80 points per game. Before the introduction of the shot clock, teams often ran out the clock by passing the ball more frequently after having established a lead in a game. If one team did choose to stall, the opposing team (especially if behind) would often commit fouls to regain possession. This resulted in very low-scoring games with excessive fouls, which negatively affected attendance. Beginning in the 1954–55 season, the NBA implemented a 24-second shot clock, the aim of which was to speed up the game and create a more entertaining experience for those in attendance. If the offensive team failed to hit the rim with the ball within the allotted 24 seconds, they would lose possession. This innovation resulted in higher average scores. Consequently, all of the highest-scoring games in the NBA have happened during the shot-clock era.

Tables

Key · List
OT
Overtime (the number indicates the number of overtime periods played)
Indicates a game that was won by the road team
· List › Highest-scoring regular season games
1
1
Rank
1
Total points
370
Date
December 13, 1983
Location
McNichols Arena Denver, Colorado
Winner
Detroit Pistons*
Result
186–184
OT
3
Loser
Denver Nuggets
Notes
NBA records Highest-scoring record The winning and losing teams respectively scored the most and second-most points in a game by one team The teams combined for 142 field goals The teams combined for 93 total assists 4 players scored at least 40 points Nuggets' Kiki VanDeWeghe scored a game-high 51 points, a career high. Leading scorers Pisto
2
2
Rank
2
Total points
351
Date
February 24, 2023
Location
Crypto Arena Los Angeles, California
Winner
Sacramento Kings*
Result
176–175
OT
2
Loser
Los Angeles Clippers
Notes
Tied a then-record of combined 44 three-pointers made by both teams (was since broken on December 15, 2024). Second NBA game in which both teams scored 170+ points. Third and fourth NBA teams to score 175+ points. With both teams scoring 153 points in regulation, this game set the NBA record of the highest tie game score at the conclusion of reg
3
3
Rank
3
Total points
337
Date
March 6, 1982
Location
HemisFair Arena San Antonio, Texas
Winner
San Antonio Spurs
Result
171–166
OT
3
Loser
Milwaukee Bucks
Notes
Former highest-scoring record 3 players scored 40+ points Spurs' George Gervin scored a game-high 50 points. Leading scorers Spurs: Gervin (50), Mike Mitchell (45) Bucks: Brian Winters (42), Junior Bridgeman (31), Bob Lanier (29)
4
4
Rank
4
Total points
329
Date
March 1, 2019
Location
State Farm Arena Atlanta, Georgia
Winner
Chicago Bulls*
Result
168–161
OT
4
Loser
Atlanta Hawks
Notes
Highest scoring game with 4 or more overtimes in the NBA. Most losses by the losing team in a game with more than 316 points. Most losses by the winning team in a game with more than 316 points. Hawks' Trae Young scored a game-high 49 points. Leading scorers Bulls: Zach LaVine (47), Otto Porter Jr. (31), Lauri Markkanen (31) Hawks: Trae Young
5
5
Rank
5
Total points
320
Date
November 2, 1990
Location
McNichols Arena Denver, Colorado
Winner
Golden State Warriors*
Result
162–158
OT
—
Loser
Denver Nuggets
Notes
Highest-scoring game in regulation Warriors' Chris Mullin scored a game-high 38 points. Season opener of the 1990–91 season for both teams. Leading scorers Warriors: Mullin (38), Tim Hardaway (32), Mitch Richmond (29) Nuggets: Orlando Woolridge (37), Walter Davis (33)
6
6
Rank
6
Total points
318
Date
January 11, 1984
Location
McNichols Arena Denver, Colorado
Winner
Denver Nuggets
Result
163–155
OT
—
Loser
San Antonio Spurs
Notes
NBA record Both teams combined to score 99 points in a quarter Nuggets' Kiki Vandeweghe scored a game-high 50 points. Leading scorers Nuggets: Vandeweghe (50), Alex English (25) Spurs: George Gervin (38), John Lucas II (23)
December 7, 2006
December 7, 2006
Rank
December 7, 2006
Total points
Continental Airlines Arena East Rutherford, New Jersey
Date
Phoenix Suns*
Location
161–157
Winner
2
Result
New Jersey Nets
OT
Suns' Steve Nash scored a game-high 42 points. Nets' Jason Kidd recorded a triple-double. Leading scorers Suns: Nash (42), Shawn Marion (33), Raja Bell (24), Amare Stoudemire (23) Nets: Kidd (38), Vince Carter (31), Richard Jefferson (25)
8
8
Rank
8
Total points
317
Date
October 30, 2019
Location
Capital One Arena Washington, D .
Winner
Houston Rockets*
Result
159–158
OT
—
Loser
Washington Wizards
Notes
Rockets' James Harden scored a game-high 59 points. Rockets' Russell Westbrook recorded a triple-double. Leading scorers Rockets: Harden (59), Clint Capela (21) Wizards: Bradley Beal (46), Rui Hachimura (23), Dāvis Bertāns (21)
9
9
Rank
9
Total points
316
Date
March 2, 1962
Location
Hershey Sports Arena Hershey, Pennsylvania
Winner
Philadelphia Warriors
Result
169–147
OT
—
Loser
New York Knicks
Notes
Former highest-scoring record NBA record Warriors' Wilt Chamberlain scored a game-high 100 points. Leading scorers Warriors: Chamberlain (100) Knicks: Richie Guerin (39), Willie Naulls (33), Cleveland Buckner (31)
March 12, 1970
March 12, 1970
Rank
March 12, 1970
Total points
Cincinnati Gardens Cincinnati
Date
Cincinnati Royals
Location
165–151
Winner
—
Result
San Diego Rockets
OT
Former highest-scoring record Rockets' Elvin Hayes scored a game-high 40 points. Leading scorers Royals: Tom Van Arsdale (36), Connie Dierking (34), Johnny Green (29), Oscar Robertson (28), Norm Van Lier (22) Rockets: Hayes (40), Don Kojis (23), John Block (20)
November 10, 1990
November 10, 1990
Rank
November 10, 1990
Total points
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Phoenix, Arizona
Date
Phoenix Suns
Location
173–143
Winner
—
Result
Denver Nuggets
OT
NBA record The Suns tied the Celtics (1959) for most points scored by one team in regulation. The Suns did not make a single three-point shot attempt. Both teams combined to score 174 points in a half The Suns scored 107 points during the first half of the game. Nuggets' Orlando Woolridge scored a game-high 40 points. Leading scorers Suns: Ced
Rank
Total points
Date
Location
Winner
Result
OT
Loser
Notes
Ref.
1
370
December 13, 1983
McNichols Arena Denver, Colorado
Detroit Pistons*
186–184
3
Denver Nuggets
NBA records Highest-scoring record The winning and losing teams respectively scored the most and second-most points in a game by one team The teams combined for 142 field goals The teams combined for 93 total assists 4 players scored at least 40 points Nuggets' Kiki VanDeWeghe scored a game-high 51 points, a career high. Leading scorers Pisto
2
351
February 24, 2023
Crypto Arena Los Angeles, California
Sacramento Kings*
176–175
2
Los Angeles Clippers
Tied a then-record of combined 44 three-pointers made by both teams (was since broken on December 15, 2024). Second NBA game in which both teams scored 170+ points. Third and fourth NBA teams to score 175+ points. With both teams scoring 153 points in regulation, this game set the NBA record of the highest tie game score at the conclusion of reg
3
337
March 6, 1982
HemisFair Arena San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio Spurs
171–166
3
Milwaukee Bucks
Former highest-scoring record 3 players scored 40+ points Spurs' George Gervin scored a game-high 50 points. Leading scorers Spurs: Gervin (50), Mike Mitchell (45) Bucks: Brian Winters (42), Junior Bridgeman (31), Bob Lanier (29)
4
329
March 1, 2019
State Farm Arena Atlanta, Georgia
Chicago Bulls*
168–161
4
Atlanta Hawks
Highest scoring game with 4 or more overtimes in the NBA. Most losses by the losing team in a game with more than 316 points. Most losses by the winning team in a game with more than 316 points. Hawks' Trae Young scored a game-high 49 points. Leading scorers Bulls: Zach LaVine (47), Otto Porter Jr. (31), Lauri Markkanen (31) Hawks: Trae Young
5
320
November 2, 1990
McNichols Arena Denver, Colorado
Golden State Warriors*
162–158
—
Denver Nuggets
Highest-scoring game in regulation Warriors' Chris Mullin scored a game-high 38 points. Season opener of the 1990–91 season for both teams. Leading scorers Warriors: Mullin (38), Tim Hardaway (32), Mitch Richmond (29) Nuggets: Orlando Woolridge (37), Walter Davis (33)
6
318
January 11, 1984
McNichols Arena Denver, Colorado
Denver Nuggets
163–155
—
San Antonio Spurs
NBA record Both teams combined to score 99 points in a quarter Nuggets' Kiki Vandeweghe scored a game-high 50 points. Leading scorers Nuggets: Vandeweghe (50), Alex English (25) Spurs: George Gervin (38), John Lucas II (23)
December 7, 2006
Continental Airlines Arena East Rutherford, New Jersey
Phoenix Suns*
161–157
2
New Jersey Nets
Suns' Steve Nash scored a game-high 42 points. Nets' Jason Kidd recorded a triple-double. Leading scorers Suns: Nash (42), Shawn Marion (33), Raja Bell (24), Amare Stoudemire (23) Nets: Kidd (38), Vince Carter (31), Richard Jefferson (25)
8
317
October 30, 2019
Capital One Arena Washington, D .
Houston Rockets*
159–158
—
Washington Wizards
Rockets' James Harden scored a game-high 59 points. Rockets' Russell Westbrook recorded a triple-double. Leading scorers Rockets: Harden (59), Clint Capela (21) Wizards: Bradley Beal (46), Rui Hachimura (23), Dāvis Bertāns (21)
9
316
March 2, 1962
Hershey Sports Arena Hershey, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Warriors
169–147
—
New York Knicks
Former highest-scoring record NBA record Warriors' Wilt Chamberlain scored a game-high 100 points. Leading scorers Warriors: Chamberlain (100) Knicks: Richie Guerin (39), Willie Naulls (33), Cleveland Buckner (31)
March 12, 1970
Cincinnati Gardens Cincinnati
Cincinnati Royals
165–151
—
San Diego Rockets
Former highest-scoring record Rockets' Elvin Hayes scored a game-high 40 points. Leading scorers Royals: Tom Van Arsdale (36), Connie Dierking (34), Johnny Green (29), Oscar Robertson (28), Norm Van Lier (22) Rockets: Hayes (40), Don Kojis (23), John Block (20)
November 10, 1990
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix Suns
173–143
—
Denver Nuggets
NBA record The Suns tied the Celtics (1959) for most points scored by one team in regulation. The Suns did not make a single three-point shot attempt. Both teams combined to score 174 points in a half The Suns scored 107 points during the first half of the game. Nuggets' Orlando Woolridge scored a game-high 40 points. Leading scorers Suns: Ced
Highest-scoring playoff games · List › Highest-scoring playoff games
1
1
Rank
1
Total points
304
Date
May 11, 1992
Location
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Phoenix, Arizona
Winner
Portland Trail Blazers*
Result
153–151
OT
2
Loser
Phoenix Suns
Notes
NBA highest-scoring playoff game record Suns' Kevin Johnson scored a game-high 35 points Leading scorers Trail Blazers: Clyde Drexler (33), Terry Porter (31), Danny Ainge (25), Jerome Kersey (21) Suns: Johnson (35), Tom Chambers (29), Jeff Hornacek (23), Dan Majerle (21) Game 4 of the conference semifinals, Trail Blazers won the series 4–1 La
2
2
Rank
2
Total points
287
Date
June 1, 2021
Location
Ball Arena Denver, Colorado
Winner
Denver Nuggets
Result
147–140
OT
2
Loser
Portland Trail Blazers
Notes
NBA playoff record Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard set single-game playoff record with 12 three-pointers. Lillard scored a game-high 55 points, setting a franchise single-game playoff record. Leading scorers Nuggets:Nikola Jokić (38), Monté Morris (28), Michael Porter Jr. (26) Trail Blazers: Lillard (55) Game 5 of the first round, Nuggets won the
3
3
Rank
3
Total points
285
Date
April 26, 1983
Location
HemisFair Arena San Antonio, Texas
Winner
San Antonio Spurs
Result
152–133
OT
—
Loser
Denver Nuggets
Notes
Former highest-scoring playoffs record; tied record for highest-scoring playoff game to not go into overtime Spurs' George Gervin scored a game-high 42 points Leading scorers Spurs: Gervin (42), Johnny Moore (24), Gene Banks (22), Mike Mitchell (22) Nuggets: Dan Issel (28), Alex English (26), Kiki Vandeweghe (22) Game 1 of the conference semifi
April 28, 1990
April 28, 1990
Rank
April 28, 1990
Total points
Boston Garden Boston, Massachusetts
Date
Boston Celtics
Location
157–128
Winner
—
Result
New York Knicks
OT
Tied record for highest-scoring playoff game to not go into overtime Most points scored by one team in a playoff game (157) Celtics' Kevin McHale scored a game-high 31 points Leading scorers Celtics: McHale (31), Reggie Lewis (21) Knicks: Patrick Ewing (28), Gerald Wilkins (24), Johnny Newman (21) Game 2 of the first round, Knicks won the seri
5
5
Rank
5
Total points
280
Date
April 23, 1987
Location
Reunion Arena Dallas, Texas
Winner
Dallas Mavericks
Result
151–129
OT
—
Loser
Seattle SuperSonics
Notes
SuperSonics' Tom Chambers scored a game-high 35 points Leading scorers Mavericks: Mark Aguirre (28), Roy Tarpley (25) SuperSonics: Chambers (35), Dale Ellis (22) Game 1 of the first round, SuperSonics won the series 3–1
6
6
Rank
6
Total points
279
Date
April 1, 1967
Location
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena Oakland, California
Winner
San Francisco Warriors
Result
143–136
OT
—
Loser
St. Louis Hawks
Notes
Former highest-scoring record Warriors' Rick Barry scored a game-high 47 points Leading scorers Warriors: Barry (47), Jeff Mullins (26), Nate Thurmond (22) Hawks: Bill Bridges (26), Lou Hudson (24), Richie Guerin (22), Lenny Wilkens (22) Game 2 of the division finals, Warriors won the series 4–2
7
7
Rank
7
Total points
278
Date
March 25, 1957
Location
Minneapolis Auditorium Minneapolis, Minnesota
Winner
St. Louis Hawks*
Result
143–135
OT
2
Loser
Minneapolis Lakers
Notes
Former highest-scoring record Lakers' Bobby Leonard scored a game-high 42 points Leading scorers Hawks: Bob Pettit (35), Slater Martin (26), Cliff Hagan (22) Lakers: Leonard (42), Clyde Lovellette (22), Walter Dukes (21) Game 3 of the division finals, Hawks won the series 3–0
May 10, 2003
May 10, 2003
Rank
May 10, 2003
Total points
ARCO Arena Sacramento, California
Date
Dallas Mavericks*
Location
141–137
Winner
2
Result
Sacramento Kings
OT
Mavericks' Nick Van Exel scored a game-high 40 points Leading scorers Mavericks: Van Exel (40), Steve Nash (31), Dirk Nowitzki (25), Michael Finley (20) Kings: Peja Stojaković (39), Vlade Divac (20) Game 3 of the conference semifinals, Mavericks won the series 4–3
9
9
Rank
9
Total points
277
Date
April 20, 1985
Location
The Forum Inglewood, California
Winner
Los Angeles Lakers
Result
147–130
OT
—
Loser
Phoenix Suns
Notes
Lakers' Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored a game-high 24 points Leading scorers Lakers: Abdul-Jabbar (24), Bob McAdoo (22), Byron Scott (21), Mike McGee (20) Suns: Alvan Adams (23), Jay Humphries (21), Mike Sanders (20) Game 2 of the conference semifinals, Lakers won the series 3–0
May 3, 2019
May 3, 2019
Rank
May 3, 2019
Total points
Moda Center Portland, Oregon
Date
Portland Trail Blazers
Location
140–137
Winner
4
Result
Denver Nuggets
OT
Trail Blazers' CJ McCollum scored a game-high 41 points Leading scorers Trail Blazers: McCollum (41), Damian Lillard (28) Nuggets: Jamal Murray (34), Nikola Jokić (33), Will Barton (22) Game 3 of the conference semifinals, Trail Blazers won the series 4–3
Rank
Total points
Date
Location
Winner
Result
OT
Loser
Notes
Ref.
1
304
May 11, 1992
Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Phoenix, Arizona
Portland Trail Blazers*
153–151
2
Phoenix Suns
NBA highest-scoring playoff game record Suns' Kevin Johnson scored a game-high 35 points Leading scorers Trail Blazers: Clyde Drexler (33), Terry Porter (31), Danny Ainge (25), Jerome Kersey (21) Suns: Johnson (35), Tom Chambers (29), Jeff Hornacek (23), Dan Majerle (21) Game 4 of the conference semifinals, Trail Blazers won the series 4–1 La
2
287
June 1, 2021
Ball Arena Denver, Colorado
Denver Nuggets
147–140
2
Portland Trail Blazers
NBA playoff record Trail Blazers' Damian Lillard set single-game playoff record with 12 three-pointers. Lillard scored a game-high 55 points, setting a franchise single-game playoff record. Leading scorers Nuggets:Nikola Jokić (38), Monté Morris (28), Michael Porter Jr. (26) Trail Blazers: Lillard (55) Game 5 of the first round, Nuggets won the
3
285
April 26, 1983
HemisFair Arena San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio Spurs
152–133
—
Denver Nuggets
Former highest-scoring playoffs record; tied record for highest-scoring playoff game to not go into overtime Spurs' George Gervin scored a game-high 42 points Leading scorers Spurs: Gervin (42), Johnny Moore (24), Gene Banks (22), Mike Mitchell (22) Nuggets: Dan Issel (28), Alex English (26), Kiki Vandeweghe (22) Game 1 of the conference semifi
April 28, 1990
Boston Garden Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Celtics
157–128
—
New York Knicks
Tied record for highest-scoring playoff game to not go into overtime Most points scored by one team in a playoff game (157) Celtics' Kevin McHale scored a game-high 31 points Leading scorers Celtics: McHale (31), Reggie Lewis (21) Knicks: Patrick Ewing (28), Gerald Wilkins (24), Johnny Newman (21) Game 2 of the first round, Knicks won the seri
5
280
April 23, 1987
Reunion Arena Dallas, Texas
Dallas Mavericks
151–129
—
Seattle SuperSonics
SuperSonics' Tom Chambers scored a game-high 35 points Leading scorers Mavericks: Mark Aguirre (28), Roy Tarpley (25) SuperSonics: Chambers (35), Dale Ellis (22) Game 1 of the first round, SuperSonics won the series 3–1
6
279
April 1, 1967
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena Oakland, California
San Francisco Warriors
143–136
—
St. Louis Hawks
Former highest-scoring record Warriors' Rick Barry scored a game-high 47 points Leading scorers Warriors: Barry (47), Jeff Mullins (26), Nate Thurmond (22) Hawks: Bill Bridges (26), Lou Hudson (24), Richie Guerin (22), Lenny Wilkens (22) Game 2 of the division finals, Warriors won the series 4–2
7
278
March 25, 1957
Minneapolis Auditorium Minneapolis, Minnesota
St. Louis Hawks*
143–135
2
Minneapolis Lakers
Former highest-scoring record Lakers' Bobby Leonard scored a game-high 42 points Leading scorers Hawks: Bob Pettit (35), Slater Martin (26), Cliff Hagan (22) Lakers: Leonard (42), Clyde Lovellette (22), Walter Dukes (21) Game 3 of the division finals, Hawks won the series 3–0
May 10, 2003
ARCO Arena Sacramento, California
Dallas Mavericks*
141–137
2
Sacramento Kings
Mavericks' Nick Van Exel scored a game-high 40 points Leading scorers Mavericks: Van Exel (40), Steve Nash (31), Dirk Nowitzki (25), Michael Finley (20) Kings: Peja Stojaković (39), Vlade Divac (20) Game 3 of the conference semifinals, Mavericks won the series 4–3
9
277
April 20, 1985
The Forum Inglewood, California
Los Angeles Lakers
147–130
—
Phoenix Suns
Lakers' Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored a game-high 24 points Leading scorers Lakers: Abdul-Jabbar (24), Bob McAdoo (22), Byron Scott (21), Mike McGee (20) Suns: Alvan Adams (23), Jay Humphries (21), Mike Sanders (20) Game 2 of the conference semifinals, Lakers won the series 3–0
May 3, 2019
Moda Center Portland, Oregon
Portland Trail Blazers
140–137
4
Denver Nuggets
Trail Blazers' CJ McCollum scored a game-high 41 points Leading scorers Trail Blazers: McCollum (41), Damian Lillard (28) Nuggets: Jamal Murray (34), Nikola Jokić (33), Will Barton (22) Game 3 of the conference semifinals, Trail Blazers won the series 4–3

References

  1. It has been the record for 42 years, 158 days.
  2. Others with double-digit point totals were Terry Tyler (18), Bill Laimbeer (17), Vinnie Johnson (12).
  3. Others with double-digit point totals were Mike Evans (16), Richard Anderson (13), Danny Schayes (11).
  4. Others with double-digit point totals were Keegan Murray (15), Harrison Barnes (11), Kevin Huerter (11), Trey Lyles (10)
  5. Others with double-digit point totals were Nicolas Batum (19), Russell Westbrook (17), Terance Mann (10), Mason Plumlee
  6. This was the record from March 6, 1982, to December 13, 1983. It lasted for 1 year, 282 days.
  7. Others with double-digit point totals were Dave Corzine (19), Johnny Moore (16), Mike Bratz (14).
  8. Others with double-digit point totals were Sidney Moncrief (18), Quinn Buckner (18), Marques Johnson (14).
  9. Others with double-digit point totals were Kris Dunn (14), Shaquille Harrison (13), Robin Lopez (11), Ryan Arcidiacono (
  10. Trae Young's high-scoring game came under his rookie season.
  11. Others with double-digit point totals were Taurean Prince (17), Kevin Huerter (15), Dewayne Dedmon (14), Vince Carter (1
  12. Others with double-digit point totals were Tom Tolbert (18), Rod Higgins (17).
  13. Others with double-digit point totals were Todd Lichti (19), Michael Adams (18), T. R. Dunn (12), Jerome Lane (11), Blai
  14. In the fourth quarter, the Spurs scored 53 points and the Nuggets scored 46 points.
  15. Others with double-digit point totals were Dan Issel (17), Howard Carter (16), Mike Evans (12), Bill Hanzlik (11), Richa
  16. Others with double-digit point totals were Gene Banks (17), Edgar Jones (17), Artis Gilmore (15), Keith Edmonson (14), M
  17. Kidd recorded 38 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists.
  18. Others with double-digit point totals were Boris Diaw (16), Leandro Barbosa (16).
  19. Others with double-digit point totals were Marcus Williams (18), Mikki Moore (14), Eddie House (12), Nenad Krstić (10).
  20. Westbrook recorded 17 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.
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