Who has scored the most points in a single NBA game? - ESPN

On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain set the NBA's single-game scoring record with 100 points in the Philadelphia Warriors' 169-147 win over the New York Knicks. The NBA didn't add the 3-point line until 1979, making this performance even more remarkable.

In the six decades since that historic night in Hershey, Pennsylvania, no player has seriously challenged Chamberlain's milestone. In recent years, Damian Lillard and Donovan Mitchell have come the closest, scoring 71 points apiece last season to tie David Robinson and Elgin Baylor for the eighth most in league history. On Monday, Joel Embiid broke Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers franchise record by tallying 70 points in a home win against the San Antonio Spurs.

Let's look at the best individual scoring efforts in NBA history, many of which belong to Chamberlain.

100 — Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia vs. New York, March 2, 1962

During the 1961-62 season, Chamberlain was unstoppable, averaging 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game. The Knicks experienced this firsthand, allowing him to score 100 points while shooting 36-of-63 (57.1%) from the field and 28-of-32 (87.5%) from the free throw line. At halftime, Chamberlain had 41 points. The Warriors decided to get Wilt the ball and see how many points he could score. The game wasn't televised, and only 4,124 fans were in attendance at the Hershey Sports Arena. Throughout Chamberlain's career, he had six games with at least 70 points and 15 contests with at least 65 points.

81 — Kobe Bryant, Lakers vs. Toronto, Jan. 22, 2006

Bryant came the closest to Chamberlain's record, erupting for 81 points in the Los Angeles Lakers' 122-104 comeback win over the Toronto Raptors. Bryant shot 28-of-46 (60.9%) from the field, 7-of-13