Devin Booker joins Wilt and Kobe among NBA single-game scoring leaders

Prior to last week, if one had to wager which of the current crop of NBA players would crack the all-time single-game scoring leaders top ten, one might have placed money on Russell Westbrook, James Harden or streak-shooting Klay Thompson. Yet, on Friday night, it was Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker that entered the record books with an offensive explosion in Boston.

[fusion_title size=”4″]NBA SINGLE-GAME SCORING LEADERS[/fusion_title]

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[fusion_progress percentage=”100″ unit=” pts” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Wilt Chamberlain (1962), [/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”81″ unit=” pts” filledcolor=”#FFEEDD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Kobe Bryant (2006), [/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”78″ unit=” pts” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Wilt Chamberlain (1961), [/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”73″ unit=” pts” filledcolor=”#FFEEDD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Wilt Chamberlain (1962), [/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”73″ unit=” pts” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Wilt Chamberlain (1962), [/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”73″ unit=” pts” filledcolor=”#FFEEDD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]David Thompson (1978), [/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”72″ unit=” pts” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Wilt Chamberlain (1962), [/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”71″ unit=” pts” filledcolor=”#FFEEDD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Elgin Baylor (1960), [/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”71″ unit=” pts” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]David Robinson (1994), [/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”70″ unit=” pts” filledcolor=”#FFEEDD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Wilt Chamberlain (1963), [/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”70″ unit=” pts” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Devin Booker, [/fusion_progress]

Booker’s 70 points just barely cracked the notoriously stable list of single-game scoring leaders, placing him in a tie for tenth with Wilt Chamberlain. Chamberlain holds six of the ten positions, including the seemingly unassailable top spot with 100 points.

Prior to last week, the last player to enter the top ten was Kobe Bryant, who ensconced his name in the No. 2 position with an 81-point game more than a decade ago. In all, there are only six players in the top ten with Michael Jordan and LeBron James notably absent.

Below, we look at Booker’s numbers on the night, and for the sake of comparison, the stats from Chamberlain’s and Bryant’s biggest nights.

[fusion_title size=”4″]DEVIN BOOKER[/fusion_title]

Booker’s 70-point game came in the Phoenix Suns 120-130 road loss to the Celtics at TD Garden. With the game’s result never really in doubt, the Boston crowd started cheering each additional basket scored by the former Kentucky Wildcats standout after he breached his previous personal NBA best of 49.

A post shared by Phoenix Suns (@suns) on Mar 25, 2017 at 2:47pm PDT

When Booker tallied his sixty-first point with 1:49 left in the 4th quarter, he became the Suns all-time single game scoring leader. 70 points still seemed out of the question until a late 3-pointer and free throws allowed him to attain the benchmark.

Devin Booker’s 70-point Game

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″] [fusion_counters_box columns=”4″ color=”#E65E00″ title_size=”” icon_size=”” icon_top=”” body_color=”” body_size=”” border_color=”” animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”” class=”” id=””]
[fusion_counter_box value=”10″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]1st QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”9″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]2nd QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”23″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]3rd QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”28″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]4th QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[/fusion_counters_box] [/fusion_builder_column]

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Field Goal Percentage

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”53″].525[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

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Free Throw Percentage

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[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”92″].923[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
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[fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″] [fusion_content_boxes layout=”icon-boxed” columns=”3″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”48″ backgroundcolor=”#FFEEDD” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” icon_size=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” animation_delay=”” animation_offset=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”48″ margin_bottom=”12″ class=”” id=””]

[fusion_content_box title=”21-40″ icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/basketball-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Field Goals Made[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”4-11″ icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/basketball-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]3-Pointers Made[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”24-26″ icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/basketball-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Free Throws Made[/fusion_content_box]

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[fusion_title size=”4″]KOBE BRYANT[/fusion_title]

Bryant is the only player to have scored 80 or more in a game, other than Chamberlain (who did it once with his 100 point game).

A post shared by 俞昌翰 (@changhanxx) on Jan 23, 2017 at 7:56am PST

Bryant scored 55 second-half points to finish with 81 in the Lakers 122-104 win over the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006. Incredibly, only 18 of those points came from the free-throw line.

Kobe Bryant’s 80-point Game

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″] [fusion_counters_box columns=”4″ color=”#E65E00″ title_size=”” icon_size=”” icon_top=”” body_color=”” body_size=”” border_color=”” animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”” class=”” id=””]
[fusion_counter_box value=”14″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]1st QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”12″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]2nd QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”27″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]3rd QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”28″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]4th QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[/fusion_counters_box] [/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_separator bottom_margin=”16″ style=””]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″]

Field Goal Percentage

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”53″].609[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

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Free Throw Percentage

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”92″].900[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_content_box title=”28-46″ icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/basketball-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Field Goals Made[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”7-13″ icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/basketball-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]3-Pointers Made[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”18-20″ icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/basketball-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Free Throws Made[/fusion_content_box]

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[fusion_title size=”4″]WILT CHAMBERLAIN[/fusion_title]

Chamberlain’s 100-point game came during his third season in the NBA, which many regard as the most dominant offensive year by a single player in any sport. With the big man pouring in 31-points in the 4th quarter, the Philadelphia Warriors defeated the New York Knicks 169-147 on March 2, 1962.

A post shared by NBA (@nba) on Mar 2, 2017 at 10:45am PST

Chamberlain finished the season with a mind-blowing average of 50.4 points per game, including three games in which he scored in the 70s.

Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point Game

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″] [fusion_counters_box columns=”4″ color=”#E65E00″ title_size=”” icon_size=”” icon_top=”” body_color=”” body_size=”” border_color=”” animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”” class=”” id=””]
[fusion_counter_box value=”23″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]1st QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”18″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]2nd QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”28″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]3rd QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”31″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]4th QTR[/fusion_counter_box]
[/fusion_counters_box] [/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_separator bottom_margin=”16″ style=””]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″]

Field Goal Percentage

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”57″].571[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

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Free Throw Percentage

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”88″].875[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
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[fusion_content_box title=”36-63″ icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/basketball-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Field Goals Made[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”N/A” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/basketball-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]3-Pointers Made[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”28-32″ icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/basketball-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Free Throws Made[/fusion_content_box]

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