Where does Donovan Mitchell’s 71 point outburst rank in NBA history?
Top scoring performance #4: David Thompson | 04/09/1978
Coming in just ahead of Donovan Mitchell is Hall of Famer and Denver Nuggets legend David Thompson who, on April 9th, 1978, unleashed his offensive furry in a narrow loss against the Detroit Pistons. Seventy-three points all told for Thompson on 28/38 shooting from the field and a 17/20 performance from the line.
Thompson’s performance does lose points for the simple fact that Denver lost the game; however, he gains even more due to the lack of a three-point line — which would be added just two seasons later.
Top scoring performance #3: Wilt Chamberlain | 12/08/1961
Now is the time for the crème de la crème of scoring performances, starting with Wilt Chamberlain’s 78-point outburst against the Los Angeles Lakers. Seven years before teaming up with Elgin Baylor and the Lakers, Wilt Chamberlain put together this strong performance that included 43 rebounds. It did take 63 minutes to accomplish, and Wilt only shot 50% from the field (on a stunning 62 attempts), but this was one of only three times in NBA history that a player scored 75 or more points in a single game.
Top scoring performance 2: Kobe Bryant | 01/22/2006
What’s more impressive than Wilt Chamberlain exceeding 75 points in a single game? Kobe Bryant scoring over 80 points in a single game. On January 22nd, 2006, one of the greatest who ever graced the hardwood enjoyed one of his most celebrated games.
In 42 minutes of action, Kobe Bryant scored 81 points on 28/46 shooting, including 7/13 shooting from three, along with a stellar 18/20 performance from the line. He boasted an unreal offensive rating of 158 as the Lakers overcame the Raptors by a score of 122-104.
Like Wilt, Kobe Bryant was no stranger to multiple high-scoring games. He’s scored above 50 points 25 times (third all-time), above 60 points 6 times (second all-time), and of course, is one of two players to score more than 80 points in a single game.
As impressive as Kobe’s 81-point performance was, there is still one more that tops it.
Top scoring performance #1: Wilt Chamberlain | 03/02/1962
What else could it be but the only triple-digit appearance on the list? On March 2nd, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain did the unbelievable (some don’t believe it to this very day) and scored 100 points in a single NBA game.
In what is the eighth-highest-scoring game in NBA history as of today, Wilt Chamberlain was in rare form even for himself as he accomplished his marquee achievement. It took 36 buckets on 63 field goal attempts — not to mention the 32 trips to the line (28 made) — but he did it. Wilt Chamberlain set the unbreakable record.
Next. Cavs have one last major trade chip to cash in. dark
Sure, Wilt has many unbreakable records: his season average of 48.5 minutes per game, his 118 50-point performances, and even the 33 consecutive wins set by his Lakers during the 1971-72 season, but no one, and I repeat, no one will ever sniff 100 points again.