When Damian Lillard had his 71-point game, it wasn’t just a new Portland Trail Blazers record, it was also a record for the most points scored against the Houston Rockets. We know the record for scoring against the Knicks is Wilt Chamberlain with 100 points back on March 2, 1962 (see yesterday’s episode)… so, how about the rest of the NBA?
Lillard broke a record previously held by Allen Iverson, who scored 58 against Houston in 2002. The Answer still has one of the team-specific records that comes up when you go down the Stathead rabbit hole: the most points scored in a game against the New Orleans Hornets — specifically the New Orleans Hornets, with 55 on April 20, 2003. A double nickel… a dime, if you will, on 4/20.
Thing is, Devin Booker had a 58-point game against the New Orleans Pelicans this season, and George Gervin once scored 63 against the New Orleans Jazz.
So, let’s just go through some players and admire their great performances that are records against some forms of team — most active, some not.
Alvan Adams: 47 vs. Buffalo Braves, 1977
LaMarcus Aldridge: 56 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 2019
Carmelo Anthony: 62 vs. Charlotte Bobcats, 2014
Elgin Baylor: 63 vs. Philadelphia Warriors, 1961
Devin Booker: 70 vs. Boston Celtics, 2017; 58 vs. New Orleans Pelicans, 2022
Kobe Bryant: 81 vs. Toronto Raptors, 2006; 65 vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 2007; 62 vs. Dallas Mavericks, 2005; 60 vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 2007; 60 vs. Utah Jazz, 2016
Wilt Chamberlain: 100 vs. New York Knicks, 1962; 78 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, 1961; 73 vs. Chicago Packers, 1962; 70 vs. Syracuse Nationals, 1963; 67 vs. St. Louis Hawks, 1962; 66 vs. Phoenix Suns, 1969; 65 vs. Cincinnati Royals, 1962; 63 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 1964; 62 vs. San Francisco Warriors, 1966; 56 vs. Baltimore Bullets, 1964
Tom Chambers: 60 vs. Seattle SuperSonics, 1990
DeMarcus Cousins: 56 vs. Charlotte Hornets (current), 2016
Tony Delk: 53 vs. Sacramento Kings, 2001
Joe Fulks: 63 vs. Indianapolis Jets, 1949
George Gervin: 63 vs. New Orleans Jazz, 1978
Gail Goodrich: 53 vs. Kansas City/Omaha Kings, 1975
James Harden: 61 vs. San Antonio Spurs, 2019; 58 vs. Miami Heat, 2018
Allen Iverson: 55 vs. New Orleans Hornets, 2003
Michael Jordan: 69 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, 1990; 64 vs. Orlando Magic, 1993; 61 vs. Atlanta Hawks, 1987; 57 vs. Washington Bullets, 1992
Bernard King: 60 vs. New Jersey Nets, 1984
Damian Lillard: 71 vs. Houston Rockets, 2023; 61 vs. Golden State Warriors, 2020; 60 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 2019
Karl Malone: 61 vs. Milwaukee Bucks, 1990
Moses Malone: 53 vs. San Diego Clippers, 1982
Antonio McDyess: 46 vs. Vancouver Grizzlies, 1999
Tracy McGrady: 62 vs. Washington Wizards, 2004
George Mikan: 61 vs. Rochester Royals, 1952
Reggie Miller: 57 vs. Charlotte Hornets (original), 1992
Donovan Mitchell: 71 vs. Chicago Bulls, 2023; 57 vs. Denver Nuggets, 2020
Tony Parker: 55 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 2008
David Robinson: 71 vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 1994
David Thompson: 73 vs. Detroit Pistons, 1978
Klay Thompson: 60 vs. Indiana Pacers, 2016
Jack Twyman: 59 vs. Minneapolis Lakers, 1960
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