10 Greatest Single-Game Performances in NBA History
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has accumulated seventy-six years of rich basketball history. Thousands of players have stepped up to the court. However, only a few made the seemingly impossible, possible.
10 Greatest Single-Game Performances in NBA History
Mr. Triple-Double
Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook holds the record for most triple-doubles in NBA history. April 2, 2019 became the date of one of his best individual performances. He made 20 points, 20 rebounds, and 21 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Scott’s Dime
Scott Skiles was a decent point guard with a career average of 11 points and 6 assists per game. His career is not close to other all-time greats. However, on the night of December 30, 1990, Scott made history. He scored 22 points with 30 assists. This record still holds the highest assist made in a single NBA game.
Almost Quadruple-Double
San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan put up historic numbers in the sixth game of the 2003 NBA finals. Duncan made an almost quadruple-double performance with 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists, and 8 blocks. Many fans and players said that he should have 10 blocks but the other 2 were given to his teammates. Despite being robbed of this feat, Duncan still secures the championship against New Jersey Nets which cemented his name as an NBA legend.
Fear the Beard
60 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists. Houston Rockets’ James Harden holds the highest number of points scored in a triple-double back on January 18, 2018. He made this during a game against Orlando Magic. Harden made 14 threes with 17 of 18 in the free-throw line.
Unusual triple-double
Most triple-doubles are getting double figures points, rebounds, and assists. However, Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green accomplished something unheard of. 11 points, 10 assists, and 10 steals were Green’s performance on February 10, 2017, against Memphis Grizzlies.
The Dream’s Five-by-Five
Five-by-five in NBA means having a player record at least five in every major statistical category; points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. The Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon has the most 5-by-5 performance in NBA history with 6. One of them was on March 3, 1990, against the Warriors. Hakeem put up 29 points, 18 rebounds, 9 assists, 5 steals, and 11 blocks. This is the closest any player has come to getting a quintuple-double and it should have been a quadruple-double due to an uncredited assist.
The Greatest Rookie
Lakers legend Magic Johnson is known for playing a point guard position. However, in the sixth game of the 1980 NBA finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, the rookie played as a center since their star player, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was injured. Magic put up 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block to win the championship and the Finals MVP. Making him the youngest and only rookie to win the award.
Mr. Game 7
Mr. Game 7 Boston Celtics legend Bill Russell got his nickname because of winning all 10 Game 7s. One of his greatest game 7 performances was in the 1962 NBA finals against the Lakers where he put up 30 points, and 40 rebounds to win the championship.
The Black Mamba
Everyone knows the number 1 guy, the 2nd is often forgotten. Lakers legend Kobe Bryant may be the 2nd place in highest points scored in a single game. But, if you account for the era in which he played, this could be the best NBA performance ever. Kobe put up 81 points against Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006. Rest in peace to the Black Mamba.
Wilt’s Unbreakable Record
Wilt Chamberlain might have at least 5 entries on this list if we wanted to. He has been known for his monstrous performance in every game earning him the nickname “The Record Book.” One of his best performances is his 100-point game in Philadelphia Warriors’ jersey against New York Knicks on May 2, 1962. Wilt made 36 field goals of his 63 attempts with 28 free throws made. To this day, this record still holds the highest point scored by a player in an NBA game.
