Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets dropped 60 on the Sixers on Saturday night in a losing overtime effort, the highest point total of the season in the NBA. So now the question becomes: Who is going to drop 61 or more?
The list of candidates is lengthy, and in a season when scoring is at a pace not seen in nearly 60 years, it is probably a question of when, not if. It looked as though LeBron James would do it last night in Miami, but he settled for 51. Warning: He plays in Cleveland on Wednesday night, so it could happen there and then.
A total of 54 times in NBA history has a player scored 61 or more, with Wilt Chamberlain doing it 29 times and Kobe Bryant doing it four times.
Among active players, Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns has a 70-point game on his resume (there have only been 11 of those in NBA history), and LeBron James is sitting on a career-high of 61. Carmelo Anthony (technically an NBA player at this point but currently homeless) put up 62 against Charlotte in 2014. James Harden’s career-high is 60, as is Klay Thompson’s.
Putting odds on this possibility is extraordinarily difficult.
On any given night, any given player with extreme offensive talents could drop 61.
As mentioned above, 60 point games have happened 54 times in NBA history, so they are extremely rare.
What about 50-point games?
There have been 13 59-point games, most recently by Damian Lillard of Portland on April 8, 2017.
There have been 14 58-point games, most recently by Russell Westbrook on March 7, 2017.
There have been 22 57-point games, most recently by James on November 3, 2017.
There have been 24 56-point games, most recently by Karl-Anthony Towns on March 28, 2018.
So, you know, going for 50-something is rather pedestrian in the big scheme of things historically — although LeBron did not make it seem that way last night when he accepted a dare from teammate Lance Stephenson and buried a three on his final shot of the game from 32 feet away with 16.5 seconds remaining in the Lakers’ 113-97 victory at Miami.
The fact of the matter is, getting to 60 can be done if a certain player has his shot working at a crazy level. Just ask Thompson, who already broke the NBA record for 3-pointers in a game when he knocked down 14 against Chicago earlier this season. (he made his 14th with 4:55 left in the 3rd quarter, then sat the rest of the night).
If we wanted to bring China into the mix, we could include Jimmer Fredette into the equation.
But the CBA is taking an extended break to allow players to return home to play for their national teams in World Cup qualifying, so we are not even going to go there.
Let’s have a look at the Top 10 scorers in the NBA and their career-highs:
Stephen Curry, Warriors (29.5 ppg); Odds: 20-1: Went for a career-high 54 at Madison Square Garden in a loss to the New York Knicks on Feb. 227, 2013. He is currently sidelined with a leg injury.
LeBron James, Lakers (28.8 ppg); Odds: 2/1: As mentioned above, his career-high is 61. Also mentioned above, he plays next at Cleveland. Two words: Brace yourself.
Kemba Walker, Hornets (28.7 ppg); Odds 5/2: After playing the Celtics tonight, will be at home facing the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
James Harden, Rockets (27.8 ppg); Odds 3-1: Won;t play again until Wednesday night when the Pistons visit Houston. Neither Reggie Jackson nor Ish Smith can defend him. That job may fall on Reggie Bullock.
Joel Embiid, Sixers (27.7 ppg); Odds 25-1: Could go for 101 tonight against Suns, but the sharp money says his career-best will come against Andre Drummond (they are not exactly best friends.) He visits The D on Dec. 7.
Anthony Davis (27.5 ppg) Odds: +220: With the lack of depth on the Pelicans, Davis is playing 38 minutes per game, which gives him a leg up on the competition in the raced to 61. He could do it on any given night. Danny Ainge is hoping it comes after he is traded to the Celtics.
Kevin Durant (27.2 ppg); Odds: 5-1: With Curry sidelined, it increases his chances of being the first to 61 — if Draymond Green decides to pass him the ball.
Damian Lillard (26.6 ppg): Odds: 7-1: Plays three games in four nights this week, all on the road: At New York on Tuesday, at Milwaukee on Wednesday, at Golden State on Friday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (25.6 ppg); Odds 35-1: His career-high is 44, set last season against Portland. Now that he is a SuperFreak, you never know when a bust-out offensive night might happen.
DeMar DeRozan, Spurs (25.2 ppg); Odds 75-1: It might take a night when LaMarcus Aldridge is resting for DeRozan to do something spectacular on the offensive end. Gregg Popovich goes deep into his bench on most night, and the scoring and minutes are evenly distributed.
