On this date in 1961, Wilt Chamberlain put together the third-highest single-game point total in NBA history scoring 78 in a triple overtime loss for the Philadelphia Warriors against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Chamberlain had 78 points on 62 shots, going 16-for-31 from the free throw line with 43 rebounds. The Warriors lost 151-147 behind a 63-point, 27-rebound double-double from Lakers' James Worthy. So that has us thinking, what are the top-10 highest single-game point totals in NBA history?
Top-10 highest single-game point totals in NBA history
10. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns - 70 points
Stat line: 45 minutes - 70 points (21-40 FG, 4-11 3PT, 24-26 FT), eight rebounds, six assists, three steals
Result: 130-120 loss at Boston Celtics
Celtics' top performer: Isaiah Thomas - 34 points, seven assists
Suns' next top performer: Alex Len - 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks
9. David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs - 71 points
Stat line: 44 minutes - 71 points (26-41 FG, 18-25 FT), 14 rebounds, five assists
Result: 112-97 win at Los Angeles Clippers
Clippers' top performer: Terry Dehere - 26 points, three rebounds, two assists
Spurs' next top performer: Dennis Rodman - eight points, 17 rebounds, three assists
8. Elgin Baylor, Los Angeles Lakers - 71 points
Stat line: 45 minutes - 71 points (28-48 FG, 15-19 FT), 25 rebounds
Result: 123-108 win at New York Knicks
Knicks' top performer: Willie Naulls - 35 points, 14 rebounds, three steals
Lakers' next top performer: Rudy LaRusso - 15 points, six rebounds, one assist
7. Wilt Chamberlain, San Francisco Warriors - 72 points
Stat line: 48 minutes - 72 points (29-48 FG, 14-18 FT), 18 rebounds
Result: 127-115 loss at Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers' top performer: Jerry West - 49 points, nine rebounds, five assists
Warriors' next top performer: Guy Rodgers - 15 points, five rebounds, four assists
6. David Thompson, Denver Nuggets - 73 points
Stat line: 43 minutes - 73 points (28-38 FG, 17-20 FT), seven rebounds
Result: 139-137 loss at Detroit Pistons
Pistons' top performer: M.L. Carr - 25 points, nine rebounds, two steals
Nuggets' next top performer: Dan Issel - 14 points, 10 assists, nine rebounds
5. Wilt Chamberlain, San Francisco Warriors - 73 points
Stat line: 48 minutes - 73 points (29-43 FG, 15-19 FT), 14 rebounds
Result: 127-11 win at New York Knicks
Knicks' top performer: Richie Guerin - 32 points, seven rebounds, six assists
Warriors' next top performer: Guy Rodgers - 13 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds
4. Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors - 73 points
Stat line: 48 minutes - 73 points (29-48 FG, 15-25 FT), 36 rebounds
Result: 135-117 win vs. Chicago Packers
Packers' top performer: Walt Bellamy - 35 points, 23 rebounds, four assists
Warriors' next top performer: Paul Arizin - 26 points, 11 rebounds, three assists
3. Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors - 78 points
Stat line: 63 minutes - 78 points (31-62 FG, 16-31 FT), 43 rebounds, one assist
Result: 151-147 loss vs. Los Angeles Lakers (3OT)
Lakers' top performer: Elgin Baylor - 63 points, 31 rebounds, seven assists
Warriors' next top performer: Paul Arizin - 19 points, 10 rebounds, three assists
2. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers - 81 points
Stat line: 42 minutes - 81 points (28-46 FG, 7-13 3PT, 18-20 FT), six rebounds, three steals, two assists
Result: 122-104 win vs. Toronto Raptors
Raptors' top performer: Mike James - 26 points, 10 assists, two steals
Lakers' next top performer: Chris Mihm - 12 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks
1. Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors - 100 points
Stat line: 48 minutes - 100 points (36-63 FG, 28-32 FT), 25 rebounds, two assists
Result: 169-147 win at New York Knicks
Knicks' top performer: Richie Guerin - 39 points, eight rebounds, six assists
Warriors' next top performer: Guy Rodgers - 11 points, 20 assists, seven rebounds
