Andrew Pace
The highest-scoring regular-season game in NBA history took place on December 13, 1983, between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets. The two teams combined to score 370 points, with the Pistons defeating the Nuggets 186–184 in a record-setting triple-overtime game. The contest saw an NBA-record four players score over 40 points, including the Nuggets' Kiki Vandeweghe with a game-high 51. This game is an outlier, as most of the highest-scoring games happened before the 1995-96 season, when the average scoring per team was always in the 100s.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Highest combined score in an NBA game | 370 points (Detroit Pistons vs Denver Nuggets) |
| Date of the game | December 13, 1983 |
| Final score | Detroit Pistons 186–184 Denver Nuggets |
| Number of overtimes | 3 |
| Highest combined score in an NBA playoff game | 304 points (Portland Trail Blazers vs Phoenix Suns) |
| Date of the game | May 11, 1992 |
| Final score | Portland Trail Blazers 153–151 Phoenix Suns |
| Number of overtimes | 2 |
| Highest combined score in an NCAA game | 258 points (Troy State University vs DeVry University of Atlanta) |
| Date of the game | January 12, 1992 |
| Final score | Troy State University 258–141 DeVry University of Atlanta |
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What You'll Learn
The highest-scoring NBA game
The Pistons' Isiah Thomas led the way with 47 points and 17 assists, while his teammate John Long added 41 points. Kelly Tripucka also contributed significantly with 35 points, and an additional four players scored in double figures. For the Nuggets, Kiki VanDeWeghe had a game-high 51 points, while Alex English added 47, and Dan Issel contributed 28. Denver had seven players score in double figures, while Detroit had six.
The game was so high-scoring due to the fast pace of play and the offensive strategies employed by both teams. The Nuggets, under coach Doug Moe, utilised a run-and-gun strategy, which focused on attempting a high volume of field goals while conceding a large number of points defensively. The Pistons, meanwhile, had a high-powered offense that contributed to the high-scoring affair.
Prior to the introduction of the 24-second shot clock in the 1954–55 season, teams often ran out the clock by passing the ball frequently after establishing a lead. The shot clock aimed to prevent this by requiring teams to shoot within 24 seconds, resulting in higher average scores and more entertaining games for spectators.
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The highest-scoring men's college basketball game
Loyola Marymount also won their first NCAA Tournament game in 27 years by outlasting Wyoming in the opening round of the 1988 tournament. The final score was 71-63, with Kimble leading the way with a game-high 29 points and four 3-pointers. Mike Yoest added 25 points, while Hank Gathers (19), Fryer (17), and Mark Armstrong (15) also contributed to the scoring. Wyoming put up a fight, with six players scoring 10 or more points, but Loyola Marymount's high-scoring offense proved too much.
In addition to their impressive tournament runs, Loyola Marymount had a remarkable three-year stretch from 1987 to 1990 where they were the highest-scoring team in the nation. Their average scoring output increased each year, going from 110.3 points per game to 112.5 and eventually peaking at 122.4 points per game in 1989-90. This was significantly higher than their competitors, outpacing the second-place program by 21.1 points. However, their high-scoring performance came at a cost, as they also gave up the most points defensively during those three seasons.
While Loyola Marymount stands out for their high-scoring games, it's worth noting that the highest individual scoring performance in NCAA Division I history was by Frank Selvy of Furman. On February 13, 1954, Selvy scored 100 points against Newberry College, making 41 field goals on 66 attempts. With only two seconds left, he made a 40-foot shot for his 99th and 100th points, setting an NCAA record that still stands today.
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The highest-scoring NBA playoff game
The NBA playoff game with the highest combined score took place on May 11, 1992, between Portland and Phoenix. The final score was 153-151 to Phoenix, with a total of 304 points scored in the game.
This game was part of the Western Conference Semifinal Round series and is ranked 20th in the All-Time highest-scoring matches.
While this game holds the record for the highest combined score in an NBA playoff game, there have been several instances of individual players putting up remarkably high scores. Michael Jordan, for example, holds five of the ten highest-scoring playoff games in NBA history. On one occasion, Jordan scored 54 points in the final three-quarters, setting a playoff record for most points in three-quarters. He also became the only player in playoff history to score 50+ points in consecutive games.
Another notable mention is Wilt Chamberlain, who broke the record for the highest points ever scored in one game in 1962 with 100 points playing for the Philadelphia Warriors.
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The highest-scoring NBA player in a single game
On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain set the NBA's single-game scoring record with 100 points in the Philadelphia Warriors' 169-147 win over the New York Knicks. Chamberlain's record has stood for more than six decades, with only one player—Kobe Bryant in 2006—coming within 20 points of his mark.
Chamberlain's historic night in Hershey, Pennsylvania, is made even more remarkable by the absence of the 3-point line in the NBA until 1979. During the 1961-62 season, Chamberlain was in exceptional form, averaging 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game. Against the Knicks, he shot 36-of-63 (57.1%) from the field and an impressive 28-of-32 (87.5%) from the free-throw line, despite being a career 51.1% foul shooter. By halftime, he had already scored 41 points, adding 28 in the third and 31 in the fourth to reach a century of points. He also contributed 25 rebounds and two assists while playing every minute of the game.
Chamberlain's single-game scoring record is one of several notable achievements he holds. He also set still-standing records for points scored in a half (59), shots made (36), shots attempted (63), and free throws made (28). Additionally, he had six games with at least 70 points and 15 games with at least 65 points throughout his illustrious career.
While no player has come close to Chamberlain's 100-point game, Kobe Bryant's 81-point performance for the Lakers against the Toronto Raptors in 2006 is worth mentioning. Bryant's heroics led the Lakers to a 122-104 comeback victory, with the majority of his points coming in the second half. He shot 28-of-46 (60.9%) from the field, 7-of-13 (53.8%) from beyond the arc, and an exceptional 18-of-20 (90%) from the free-throw line.
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The highest-scoring NBA team in a single game
The highest-scoring NBA game in history saw the Detroit Pistons defeat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in a triple-overtime game on December 13, 1983, with a combined score of 370 points. The Pistons' 186 points is an NBA record, while the Nuggets' 184 points is the second-highest total in league history. The game was closely contested and required three overtime periods to determine a winner.
The Pistons were led by Isiah Thomas, who had 47 points, 17 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 steals, and a block, shooting nearly 53% from the field and 50% from three-point range. John Long added 41 points on 72% shooting, and Kelly Tripucka chipped in with 35 points. For the Nuggets, Kiki VanDeWeghe had a game-high 51 points, along with 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals, while shooting an impressive 72.4% from the field. Alex English also contributed 47 points and 12 rebounds. Both teams had six players score in double figures, showcasing the depth and offensive prowess on display.
This game was a testament to the fast-paced, high-scoring nature of NBA basketball in the 1980s. The introduction of the 24-second shot clock in 1954 played a significant role in increasing scoring outputs. The rule change aimed to prevent stalling tactics and create a more entertaining experience for fans. As a result, the average number of points scored per game increased, and the league saw some of its highest-scoring contests during this era.
While the Pistons and Nuggets hold the record for the highest-combined score, it's worth noting that other teams have come close. The Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers nearly made history in a double-overtime game on February 24, 2023, combining for 351 points. The Kings won with 176 points, while the Clippers scored 175. Additionally, the San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks played a triple-overtime game on March 6, 1982, combining for 337 points, with the Spurs edging out the Bucks 171-166.
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Frequently asked questions
The highest combined score in an NBA game was 370 points. This occurred during a triple-overtime game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets on December 13, 1983. The Pistons won the game with a final score of 186-184.
Points are used to keep track of the score in a basketball 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 with the most points at the end of a game wins. If the game is tied at the end of regulation play, additional overtime periods are played to determine the winner.
The highest combined score in an NBA playoff game was 304 points. This occurred during a double-overtime game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Suns on May 11, 1992. The Trail Blazers won the game with a final score of 153-151.
The highest combined score in an NBA game during regulation was 320 points. Unfortunately, I cannot find further information on this game.
