Now an undeniably global game, the NBA has superstars and fans that come from all corners of the globe.
Yet, ever since James Naismith first strung a peach basket up in Springfield, Massachusetts over 130 years ago, the aim of the game has remained the same: the team that puts the ball through the hoop the most is the winner.
While a team game, there have been numerous superstars that have made names for themselves, ‘Air Jordan', ‘Magic', ‘The Doctor' and ‘The Slim Reaper' among them.
From greats of a bygone era to shooting stars of today, here are the top 10 greatest individual scoring performances in NBA history.
In what is sure to surprise a few fresh hoop heads, you won't find either of Michael Jordan or Lebron James' names on this list.
You will, however, see ‘Wilt the Stilt', over and over again.
1. Wilt Chamberlain (1962) – 100 points – Philadelphia Warriors vs New York Knicks (169-147)
2. Kobe Bryant (2006) – 81 points – Los Angeles Lakers vs Toronto Raptors (122-104)
3. Wilt Chamberlain (1961) – 78 points – Philadelphia Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers (147-151)
= 4. Wilt Chamberlain (1962) – 73 points – Philadelphia Warriors vs Chicago Packers (135-117)
= 4. Wilt Chamberlain (1962) – 73 points – San Francisco Warriors vs New York Knicks (127-111)
= 4. David Thompson (1978) – 73 points – Denver Nuggets vs Detroit Pistons (137-139)
7. Wilt Chamberlain (1962) – 72 points – San Francisco Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers (115-127)
8. Elgin Baylor (1960) – 71 points – Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks (123-108)
= 8. David Robinson (1994) – 71 points – San Antonio Spurs vs Los Angeles Clippers (112-97)
= 8. Donovan Mitchell (2023) – 71 points – Cleveland Cavaliers vs Chicago Bulls (145-134)
= 8. Damian Lillard (2023) – 71 points – Portland Trail Blazers vs Houston Rockets (131-114)
= 12. Wilt Chamberlain (1963) – 70 points – San Francisco Warriors vs Syracuse Nationals (148-163)
= 12. Devon Booker (2017) – 70 points – Phoenix Suns vs Boston Celtics (120-130)
