The very best-scoring NBA video games might have damaged the scoreboard in the event that they went any additional.
There was no room left on these scoresheets. The pencils ran out of lead. Pens ran out of ink.
However they actually had been an entire lot of enjoyable regardless.
We’re reflecting on the highest-scoring NBA video games of all time on the crew stage. Need to have a look again at Philadelphia Warriors star Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls and the NBA file particular person performances of all time? Click on right here.
Highest-Scoring Sport and Most Factors by One Crew:
Detroit Pistons 186, Denver Nuggets 184 (3 OT); Dec. 13, 1983
Not solely did the Pistons set the file for many factors scored by one crew in a regular-season sport, however this contest additionally holds the mark for many whole factors by each groups. And the field rating reads like an absolute doozy; 4 gamers dropped greater than 40 factors and Kiki VanDeWeghe led the best way with 51 and Alex English added 47 for the Nuggets in a dropping effort in triple extra time. Isiah Thomas performed 52 minutes and had 47 factors, 17 assists and 4 steals for the Pistons, who had been removed from their glory years and misplaced within the first spherical of the NBA playoffs to the New York Knicks. Nonetheless within the early days of the 3-point line, there have been solely 4 3s tried in the complete sport (each groups had been 1 for two from behind the arc).
Highest-Scoring Sport and Most Factors by One Crew within the twenty first Century:
Sacramento Kings 176, Los Angeles Clippers 175 (2 OT); Feb. 24, 2023
That is additionally the second-highest scoring sport in league historical past. De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk teamed up for 42 and 45 factors, respectively, because the Kings outlasted the Clippers in double extra time in Russell Westbrook’s debut again in Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard poured in 44 factors whereas going 6 of 9 from 3-point vary. The Clips went 26 of 45 (57.8%) from deep as a crew, turning into the one crew within the earlier 40 years to shoot a minimum of 60.0% from 2, 55.0% from 3 and 85.0% on free throws in a loss (via @OptaSTATS). Paul George added 34 factors, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, whereas Westbrook had 17 factors and 14 assists. This was the first game in NBA history to enter extra time tied at 150 or extra.
Highest-Scoring Sport in Regulation:
Golden State Warriors 162, Denver Nuggets 158; Nov. 2, 1990
This bout was fairly the best way to start out Denver and Golden State’s 1990-91 season. Chris Mullin (38 factors) and Tim Hardaway (32 factors and 18 assists), who additionally performed for the Miami Warmth, Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers over his profession, had been the main scorers for Warriors. The crew from the San Francisco/Oakland space would finally beat the San Antonio Spurs within the first spherical of the playoffs earlier than falling to the Los Angeles Lakers. Orlando Woolridge had a team-high 37 for Denver. It was a close-fought battle the complete means with each groups scoring between 36-44 factors in every quarter. Solely six 3s had been made in the complete sport.
Most Factors by One Crew in Regulation:
Boston Celtics 173, Minneapolis Lakers 139; Feb. 27, 1959/Phoenix Suns 173, Denver Nuggets 143, Nov. 10, 1990
The Lakers struggled to maintain up with the Celtics within the early days of their rivalry. Boston put up essentially the most factors in a single sport in regulation earlier than the Suns tied in 31 years later. The Celtics additionally swept the Lakers within the 1959 NBA Finals. It’s hardly a shock to see the 1990-91 Nuggets on this listing once more. Below Paul Westhead, they adopted the run-and-gun offense that led to very large success for the coach at Loyola Marymount. It didn’t fairly work out within the execs and the Nuggets grew to become affectionately referred to as the “Enver Nuggets” as a result of they didn’t have a “D.” They allowed a league-high 130.8 factors per sport in 1990-91.
Highest-Scoring Sport of the twenty first Century in Regulation:
Houston Rockets 159, Washington Wizards 158; Oct. 30, 2019
You knew we needed to get to those Houston Rockets finally. Of Houston’s 103 subject aim makes an attempt on the evening, 54 got here from 3. 2018 NBA MVP James Harden completed two factors away from his profession excessive with 59 factors and Russell Westbrook put up a triple-double within the one-point sport. Bradley Beal had 46 factors for the Washington Wizards, whereas 4 scored in double figures off the bench.
Most Factors by One Crew in Regulation within the twenty first Century:
Denver Nuggets 168, Seattle SuperSonics 116; March 16, 2008
Carmelo Anthony, who would go on to play for the Knicks, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Portland Path Blazers and Lakers, led a balanced assault with 26 factors, whereas Allen Iverson added 24 factors for a gifted Nuggets crew that may win 50 video games within the Western Convention. Marcus Camby completed with a 13-15-10 triple-double and Kenyon Martin, who was in his fourth season in Denver after coming over from the New Jersey Nets, chipped in with 23. The Nuggets put up 48 factors within the first quarter, 43 within the third and 41 within the fourth. A rookie named Kevin Durant had 23 factors for the SuperSonics, who would transfer to Oklahoma Metropolis the next season.
Animations by Paul Connors.
