NBA Records

The NBA has been played since 1946, and across nearly eight decades of professional basketball, extraordinary athletes have set records that define the sport. Some records, like Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game or his 50.4 points-per-game season average, are widely considered unbreakable in the modern era of load management and team-oriented play. Others, like LeBron James surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer in 2023, remind us that the record books are never truly closed.

Individual scoring records are dominated by players from the 1960s, when the pace of play was significantly faster and defensive rules were different. Wilt Chamberlain holds more single-game and single-season records than any other player, but modern players like Stephen Curry have rewritten the three-point record book entirely. Curry's 402 three-pointers in the 2015-16 season shattered his own previous record of 286 and fundamentally changed how the game is played.

Team records capture the greatest sustained performances in NBA history. The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors went 73-9 in the regular season, surpassing the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls' 72-10 mark. The 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers hold the longest winning streak at 33 consecutive games, a record that has stood for over 50 years. Defensive milestones, like John Stockton's seemingly untouchable career steals record of 3,265, highlight the value of longevity and consistency at the highest level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the NBA single-game scoring record?

Wilt Chamberlain holds the NBA single-game scoring record with 100 points, scored on March 2, 1962, when his Philadelphia Warriors defeated the New York Knicks 169-147. Chamberlain shot 36-for-63 from the field and 28-for-32 from the free throw line. The game was played in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and no video recording of the full game exists. The closest anyone has come in the modern era is Devin Booker's 70 points in 2017 and Kobe Bryant's 81 points in 2006.

Who has the most NBA championships?

Bill Russell holds the record for the most NBA championships by a player with 11 titles, all won with the Boston Celtics between 1957 and 1969. Among active players, LeBron James and Stephen Curry each have four championships. Among franchises, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are tied for the most titles with 17 each. Phil Jackson holds the coaching record with 11 championships (6 with the Chicago Bulls, 5 with the Lakers).

Who is the NBA all-time leading scorer?

LeBron James is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's long-standing record of 38,387 points on February 7, 2023. James continues to add to his total as an active player. The all-time top five includes LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan.

What is the longest winning streak in NBA history?

The 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers hold the record for the longest winning streak at 33 consecutive games. The streak ran from November 5, 1971, to January 7, 1972. The team finished the season 69-13 and won the NBA championship. The second-longest streak is 27 games by the 2012-13 Miami Heat.