Scoring in the NBA has soared to unprecedented heights. Teams and players alike continue to redefine the limits of production with explosive scoring outbursts.
Games this era have witnessed multiple players and teams pushing offensive output beyond the limits and hence entering into the league record books with their new single-half and single-game scoring accumulations.
Most points scored by an NBA team in the first half
One of the most striking examples of team dominance came on Oct. 29, 2018, when the Golden State Warriors scored 92 points in the first half against the Chicago Bulls, setting the NBA record for most points scored by an NBA team in the first half during a regular season game.
All 92 first half points… in 75 seconds. pic.twitter.com/i6HGVKVmnE
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) October 30, 2018
What player has the most points in a half?
On the individual side, Wilt Chamberlain remains the standard-bearer. During his legendary 100-point game on March 2, 1962, Chamberlain scored 59 points in the second half, the most ever by a player in any half of an NBA game.
Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game is legendary.
— Zach Brandon (@MVP_Mindset) May 5, 2025
But here’s what most people forget: He made 28 of 32 free throws that night…By shooting them granny-style.
It worked. Then he stopped.
Here’s what it can teach us about performance, perception, and doing what others won't. pic.twitter.com/XX9TR2I0Bu
Other remarkable half-time performances
- Karl-Anthony Towns: 44 points in the first half on Jan. 22, 2024
- David Thompson and George Gervin: 53 points each in a half on the same day in 1978
- Kobe Bryant: 55 points in the second half of a 2006 game
- Luka Dončić: 41 points in the first half in 2024
- Damian Lillard: 41 points in the first half in 2023
- Kyrie Irving: 41 points in the first half in 2022
In the postseason, scoring fireworks have been equally notable
The Boston Celtics set the all-time record for most points by a team in an NBA playoff game with a 157-128 win over the New York Knicks in Game 2 of the 1990 First Round, according to Statmuse.
More recently, the Oklahoma City Thunder set a new playoff record for points in a half, dropping 87 points in the first half against the Denver Nuggets on May 8. That effort edged out the previous high of 86 points, held by the 2017 Cleveland Cavaliers.
THUNDER MAKE HISTORY 🔥
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 8, 2025
OKC drops an NBA playoff record 87 points in the first half with SIX players in double figures 😱 pic.twitter.com/DCc8tMW7AG
With players and teams constantly pushing boundaries, the league’s scoring landscape continues to evolve, offering fans no shortage of thrilling moments.
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I am a writer passionate about telling the stories behind the game of basketball. From the culture and personalities shaping the sport to the moments that define it, I explore basketball beyond the box score.
