What is the highest-scoring game in NBA history? Looking at its box score, top scorers, and more stats
The matter of the highest-scoring game in NBA history has been revisited since the Sacramento Kings' 176-175 double-OT win over the LA Clippers on Friday (February 24). The two teams produced an offensive clinic that went right down to the wire. Many thought that this would be the highest-scoring game in history, but that wasn't the case.
What is the highest-scoring game in NBA history?
The record for the highest-scoring game belongs to the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets from the 1983-84 NBA season. During a regular-season game on December 13, 1983, the Pistons beat the Nuggets by a 186-184 margin. The game went into triple overtime.
Top 5 highest scoring games by a team in NBA history:
Detroit Pistons: 186 points - 1983
Denver Nuggets: 184 points - 1983
Sacramento Kings: 176 points - TONIGHT
LA Clippers: 175 points - TONIGHT
Boston Celtics: 173 points - 1959
What a battle 🔥 https://t.co/xgcfR47bJE
The two teams bagged at least 30 points across all four quarters and double-digit scores in all three overtime periods during the game held at the McNichols Sports Arena, the home court of the Nuggets at the time.
The first half was tied at 74-74 and the second at 71-71. The first two overtimes were tied at 26-26, while the third and final overtime period saw the Pistons edge the Nuggets by a 15-13 margin.
Who were the top scorers during Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets' 1983 game?
The Denver Nuggets team was led by two-time NBA All-Star Kiki Vandeweghe's 51-point effort. It was also a game-high score. Meanwhile, Detroit Pistons legend Isiah Thomas and Nuggets star Alex English had 47 points each. 10 players, including these three, scored in double-digits. Six were on the Pistons' roster, while the other four were on the Nuggets.
Intriguing stats from the Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets' 1983 game
In 1983, 3-pointers weren't as significant of an offensive weapon as they are now. In one of the most interesting statistics from the highest-scoring game in NBA history between the Pistons and Nuggets, each team made only one 3-pointer on two attempts. To put things into perspective, the Clippers vs. Kings game saw the teams combine to shoot 44-of-89 from 3-point range.
The Pistons scored most of their points from the field, converting 54.4% of their shots on 136 attempts. They also had 60 free throws on the night as a team but made only 37. The story with the Nuggets was different as they ensured they made the most of their 57 trips to the charity stripe. They missed only ten attempts from the foul line.
Also read: How long was the Sacramento Kings vs LA Clippers game? Exploring 3 records it set, including being the 2nd highest-scoring game of all time