5 NBA players with most points scored in a quarter featuring Klay Thompson, Carmelo Anthony, and more
The NBA had the tagline "Where Amazing Happens", which debuted in their 2007 commercials. The reason behind this is that basketball fans really do get to witness spectacular performances from their favorite players.
Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game and Kobe Bryant's 81 are two primary examples. But then there are those who put up enormous scoring outputs in a single quarter.
Having said that, here are five NBA players with the most points scored in one quarter.
5 NBA players with most points scored in a quarte
#1. Klay Thompson (37 Points)
Klay Thompson currently holds the record for the most points scored in a single quarter. Dated all the way back on January 23, 2015, Thompson put up 37 points in the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings. He caught fire from long distance, knocking down all nine of his 3-point attempts. Thompson also made some shots inside, including an alleyoop from Steph Curry.
#2. Kevin Love (34 points)
Kevin Love is known to be a decent stretch four in the NBA. He proved to everyone that he's one of the best at what he did back in 2016.
The Cleveland Cavaliers went up against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 23, 2016. To the Cavs, it was just another game for the defending champs to win, however, little did we know we'd witness a sudden eruption from Kevin Love.
Love hotly started the game by scoring 34 points in the first quarter. Nobody could stop his barrage of 3-point bombs. He sank 8 out of 10 3-pointers, three out of four shots inside, and knocked down all four of his free throws.
#3. Carmelo Anthony (33 Points)
Before Klay Thompson's NBA record of having the most points in a quarter, the record to beat was 33 points.
Carmelo Anthony tied the record on December 10, 2008 in a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Anthony may be struggling to find his place in the NBA right now, but he was one of the league's elite scorers in his prime.
Carmelo Anthony dropped 33 points in the third quarter, shooting 12 for 15 from the field and making four out of five 3-pointers. He kept attacking the basket and kept converting with his hot hand. Melo caught fire from downtown as well, giving the Nuggets star at the time big smiles thanks to his performance.
#4. Karl-Anthony Towns (32 points)
Karl-Anthony Towns just recently made the list of the top four players who scored the most in a quarter. KAT dropped 32 points in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs back on March 14, 2022. It was a monstrous game from Towns as he ended the game with a double-double, scoring a career-high 60 points accompanied by 17 rebounds.
#5. George Gervin and David Thompson (33 and 32 Points)
Both George Gervin and David Thompson had historic games on the same day April 9, 1978.
Gervin converted 33 points in the third quarter and set the NBA record at the time. Sitting right next to his record was David Thompson, who scored 32 points in the first quarter.
The basketball gods might've felt generous that day and have given these two players some scoring boosts.