List of highest - scoring NBA games - wikipedia List of highest - scoring NBA games McNichols Arena in Denver was the site of the highest - scoring game in NBA history. Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix was the site of the highest - scoring playoff game. In basketball, points are used to keep track of the score in a game. Points can be accumulated by making field goals ( worth two points from within the three - point line or three points from beyond the three - point line ) or free throws ( worth one point ). The team that records the most points at the end of a game is declared the game 's winner. If the game is still tied at the end of regulation play, additional overtime period ( s ) are played in order to determine the winner. Teams only averaged around 80 points per game in the years following the founding of the National Basketball Association ( NBA ) in 1946. Before the introduction of the shot clock, teams often ran out the clock by passing the ball more frequently after they established a lead in a game. If one team chose to stall, the other team ( especially if behind ) would often commit fouls to regain possession. This resulted in very low - scoring games with many fouls, affecting attendance by making fans irritable. Starting in the 1954 -- 55 season, the NBA implemented a 24 - second shot clock. If the offensive team fails to hit the rim with the ball within the allotted time, they would lose possession. This innovation resulted in much higher scoring games. All of the highest - scoring games in the NBA have happened during the shot - clock era. Contents 1 Summary 2 List 2.1 Highest - scoring regular season games 2.2 Highest - scoring playoff games 3 See also 4 Notes 5 References Summary The highest - scoring regular season game is the triple - overtime game between the Detroit Pistons and the Denver Nuggets on December 13, 1983. The two teams combined to score 370 points, with the Pistons defeating the Nuggets 186 -- 184. An NBA - record four players scored over 40 points in the game, including the Nuggets ' Kiki Vandeweghe with a game - high 51. The two teams also set several other NBA records, including the most points scored by one team ( 186 points ), the most points scored by a losing team ( 184 ), the most field goals by two teams ( 142 ), most field goals by one team ( 74 ) and most assists by two teams ( 93 ). The highest - scoring regular season game in regulation was between the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets on November 2, 1990. In that game, Golden State defeated Denver 162 -- 158. The Warriors ' Chris Mullin scored a game - high 38 points. The Nuggets were coached by Doug Moe from 1980 to 1990 and Paul Westhead from 1990 to 1992, both of whom employed a run and gun offensive strategy, which focuses on attempting a high number of field goals while also conceding a large number of points on defense. In fact, Moe 's and Westhead 's Nuggets were participants in five of the ten highest - scoring regular season games in NBA history. The Warriors were coached by Don Nelson from 1988 to 1995 and 2006 to 2010. He employed Nellie Ball, a style of run and gun that uses smaller, more athletic players to outrun opponents. Another notable high scoring regular season game is a March 2, 1962 game between the Philadelphia Warriors and the New York Knicks. In that game, the Warriors ' Wilt Chamberlain scored an NBA - record 100 points. The highest - scoring playoff game is the double - overtime game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Suns on May 11, 1992. The two teams combined to score 304 points, with the Trail Blazers defeating the Suns 153 -- 151. The Suns ' Kevin Johnson scored a game - high 35 points, with 12 other players also scoring in double figures. The highest - scoring playoff game in regulation occurred when the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Denver Nuggets with a score of 152 -- 133 for a combined score of 285 points on April 26, 1983. In that game, the Spurs ' George Gervin scored a game - high 42 points. Most of the highest - scoring games happened before the 1995 -- 96 season, when the average scoring ( points per game ) per team was always in the 100s. Until the emergence of ' small ball ' in 2013, the average had dropped down to the 90s. Only two post-1995 games make the top - ten lists of both the regular season and playoffs : a May 10, 2003 game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Sacramento Kings and a December 7, 2006 game between the Phoenix Suns and New Jersey Nets. Both the Mavericks and the Suns were coached by Nelson and Mike D'Antoni respectively, both of whom also made use of the run and gun style. List Key OT Overtime ( the number indicates the number of overtime periods played. * Indicates a game that was won by the road team Highest - scoring regular season games Rank Total Points Date Location Winning Team Final Score OT Losing Team Notes Ref 370 000000001983 - 12 - 13 - 0000 December 13, 1983 McNichols Arena Denver, Colorado Detroit Pistons * 186 -- 184 Denver Nuggets NBA records Highest - scoring record The teams combined for 142 field goals The teams combined for 93 total assists 4 players scored at least 40 points Nuggets ' Kiki Vandeweghe scored a game - high 51 points, a career high. Leading scorers Pistons : Isiah Thomas ( 47 ), John Long ( 41 ), Kelly Tripucka ( 35 ) Nuggets : Vandeweghe ( 51 ), Alex English ( 47 ), Dan Issel ( 28 ) 337 000000001982 - 03 - 06 - 0000 March 6, 1982 HemisFair Arena San Antonio, Texas San Antonio Spurs 171 -- 166 Milwaukee Bucks Former highest - scoring record 3 players scored 40 + points Spurs ' George Gervin scored a game - high 50 points. Leading scorers Spurs : Gervin ( 50 ), Mike Mitchell ( 45 ) Bucks : Brian Winters ( 42 ), Junior Bridgeman ( 31 ), Bob Lanier ( 29 ) 320 000000001990 - 11 - 02 - 0000 November 2, 1990 McNichols Arena Denver, Colorado Golden State Warriors * 162 -- 158 -- Denver Nuggets Highest - scoring game in regulation Warriors ' Chris Mullin scored a game - high 38 points. Leading scorers Warriors : Mullin ( 38 ), Tim Hardaway ( 32 ), Mitch Richmond ( 29 ) Nuggets : Orlando Woolridge ( 37 ), Walter Davis ( 33 ) 318 000000001984 - 01 - 11 - 0000 January 11, 1984 McNichols Arena Denver, Colorado Denver Nuggets 163 -- 155 -- San Antonio Spurs NBA record Both teams combined to score 99 points in a quarter Nuggets ' Kiki Vandeweghe scored a game - high 50 points. Leading scorers Nuggets : Vandeweghe ( 50 ), Alex English ( 25 ) Spurs : George Gervin ( 38 ), John Lucas II ( 23 ) 318 000000002006 - 12 - 07 - 0000 December 7, 2006 Continental Airlines Arena East Rutherford, New Jersey Phoenix Suns * 161 -- 157 New Jersey Nets Suns ' Steve Nash scored a game - high 42 points. Nets ' Jason Kidd recorded a triple - double Leading scorers Suns : Nash ( 42 ), Shawn Marion ( 33 ), Raja Bell ( 24 ), Amare Stoudemire ( 23 ) Nets : Kidd ( 38 ), Vince Carter ( 31 ), Richard Jefferson ( 25 ) 6 316 000000001962 - 03 - 02 - 0000 March 2, 1962 Hershey Sports Arena Hershey, Pennsylvania Philadelphia Warriors 169 -- 147 -- New York Knicks Former highest - scoring record NBA record Warriors ' Wilt Chamberlain scored a game - high 100 points. Leading scorers Warriors : Chamberlain ( 100 ) Knicks : Richie Guerin ( 39 ), Willie Naulls ( 33 ), Cleveland Buckner ( 31 ) 6 316 000000001970 - 03 - 12 - 0000 March 12, 1970 Cincinnati Gardens Cincinnati Cincinnati Royals 165 -- 151 -- San Diego Rockets Former highest - scoring record Rockets ' Elvin Hayes scored a game - high 40 points Leading scorers Royals : Tom Van Arsdale ( 36 ), Connie Dierking ( 34 ), Johnny Green ( 29 ), Oscar Robertson ( 28 ), Norm Van Lier ( 22 ) Rockets : Hayes ( 40 ), Don Kojis ( 23 ), John Block ( 20 ) 6 316 000000001990 - 11 - 10 - 0000 November 10, 1990 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix Suns 173 -- 143 -- Denver Nuggets NBA record Both teams combined to score 174 points in a half The Suns scored 107 points during the first half of the game. Nuggets ' Orlando Woolridge scored a game - high 40 points. Leading scorers Suns : Cedric Ceballos ( 32 ), Kevin Johnson ( 23 ), Kenny Battle ( 23 ), Dan Majerle ( 21 ), Tom Chambers ( 20 ) Nuggets : Woolridge ( 40 ), Mahmoud Abdul - Rauf ( 26 ), Walter Davis ( 22 ) 9 314 000000001990 - 11 - 07 - 0000 November 7, 1990 HemisFair Arena San Antonio, Texas San Antonio Spurs 161 -- 153 -- Denver Nuggets Spurs ' David Robinson scored a game - high 43 points. Leading scorers Spurs : Robinson ( 43 ), Terry Cummings ( 31 ), Sean Elliott ( 29 ), Reggie Williams ( 22 ) Nuggets : Orlando Woolridge ( 37 ), Walter Davis ( 32 ), Todd Lichti ( 29 ) 10 312 000000001959 - 02 - 27 - 0000 February 27, 1959 Boston Garden Boston Boston Celtics 173 -- 139 -- Minneapolis Lakers Former highest - scoring record Celtics ' Tom Heinsohn scored a game - high 43 points. Leading scorers Celtics : Heinsohn ( 43 ), Bob Cousy ( 31 ), Bill Sharman ( 29 ), Frank Ramsey ( 20 ) Lakers : Elgin Baylor ( 28 ), Vern Mikkelsen ( 25 ), Rod Hundley ( 21 ) Highest - scoring playoff games Below are the top 10 highest - scoring playoff games. Four of the games happened before the 1979 -- 80 season, the season in which the three - point line was first implemented. Highest - scoring playoff games Total points Date Location Winner Result OT Loser Notes Ref. 304 000000001992 - 05 - 11 - 0000 May 11, 1992 Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum Phoenix, Arizona Portland Trail Blazers * 153 -- 151 Phoenix Suns NBA highest - scoring record Suns ' Kevin Johnson scored a game - high 35 points Leading scorers Trail Blazers : Clyde Drexler ( 33 ), Terry Porter ( 31 ), Danny Ainge ( 25 ), Jerome Kersey ( 21 ) Suns : Johnson ( 35 ), Tom Chambers ( 29 ), Jeff Hornacek ( 23 ), Dan Majerle ( 21 ) The Trail Blazers won the conference semifinals series 4 -- 1 Last NBA game at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum 285 000000001983 - 04 - 26 - 0000 April 26, 1983 HemisFair Arena San Antonio, Texas San Antonio Spurs 152 -- 133 -- Denver Nuggets Former highest - scoring record Spurs ' George Gervin scored a game - high 42 points Leading scorers Spurs : Gervin ( 42 ), Johnny Moore ( 24 ), Gene Banks ( 22 ), Mike Mitchell ( 22 ) Nuggets : Dan Issel ( 28 ), Alex English ( 26 ), Kiki Vandeweghe ( 22 ) The Spurs won the conference semifinals series 4 -- 1 285 000000001990 - 04 - 28 - 0000 April 28, 1990 Boston Garden Boston Boston Celtics 157 -- 128 -- New York Knicks Celtics ' Kevin McHale scored a game - high 31 points Leading scorers Celtics : McHale ( 31 ), Reggie Lewis ( 21 ) Knicks : Patrick Ewing ( 28 ), Gerald Wilkins ( 24 ), Johnny Newman ( 21 ) The Knicks won the first round series 3 -- 2 280 000000001987 - 04 - 23 - 0000 April 23, 1987 Reunion Arena Dallas Dallas Mavericks 151 -- 129 -- Seattle SuperSonics SuperSonics ' Tom Chambers scored a game - high 35 points Leading scorers Mavericks : Mark Aguirre ( 28 ), Roy Tarpley ( 25 ) SuperSonics : Chambers ( 35 ), Dale Ellis ( 22 ) The SuperSonics won the first round series 3 -- 1 5 279 000000001967 - 04 - 01 - 0000 April 1, 1967 Oakland -- Alameda County Coliseum Arena Oakland, California San Francisco Warriors 143 -- 136 -- St. Louis Hawks Former highest - scoring record Warriors ' Rick Barry scored a game - high 47 points Leading scorers Warriors : Barry ( 47 ), Jeff Mullins ( 26 ), Nate Thurmond ( 22 ) Hawks : Bill Bridges ( 26 ), Lou Hudson ( 24 ), Richie Guerin ( 22 ), Lenny Wilkens ( 22 ) The Warriors won the division finals series 4 -- 2 6 278 000000001957 - 03 - 25 - 0000 March 25, 1957 Minneapolis Auditorium Minneapolis St. Louis Hawks * 143 -- 135 Minneapolis Lakers Former highest - scoring record Lakers ' Bobby Leonard scored a game - high 42 points Leading scorers Hawks : Bob Pettit ( 35 ), Slater Martin ( 26 ), Cliff Hagan ( 22 ) Lakers : Leonard ( 42 ), Clyde Lovellette ( 22 ), Walter Dukes ( 21 ) The Hawks won the division finals series 3 -- 0 6 278 000000002003 - 05 - 10 - 0000 May 10, 2003 ARCO Arena Sacramento, California Dallas Mavericks * 141 -- 137 Sacramento Kings Mavericks ' Nick Van Exel scored a game - high 40 points Leading scorers Mavericks : Van Exel ( 40 ), Steve Nash ( 31 ), Dirk Nowitzki ( 25 ), Michael Finley ( 20 ) Kings : Peja Stojaković ( 39 ), Vlade Divac ( 20 ) The Mavericks won the conference semifinals series 4 -- 3 8 277 000000001985 - 04 - 20 - 0000 April 20, 1985 Great Western Forum Los Angeles Los Angeles Lakers 147 -- 130 -- Phoenix Suns Lakers ' Kareem Abdul - Jabbar scored a game - high 24 points Leading scorers Lakers : Abdul - Jabbar ( 24 ), Bob McAdoo ( 22 ), Byron Scott ( 21 ), Mike McGee ( 20 ) Suns : Alvan Adams ( 23 ), Jay Humphries ( 21 ), Mike Sanders ( 20 ) The Lakers won the conference semifinals series 3 -- 0 9 276 000000001967 - 04 - 14 - 0000 April 14, 1967 The Spectrum Philadelphia Philadelphia 76ers 141 -- 135 San Francisco Warriors Warriors ' Rick Barry scored a game - high 37 points Leading scorers 76ers : Hal Greer ( 32 ), Wali Jones ( 30 ), Billy Cunningham ( 26 ), Chet Walker ( 23 ) Warriors : Barry ( 37 ), Nate Thurmond ( 24 ), Tom Meschery ( 20 ) The 76ers won the finals series 4 -- 2 9 276 000000001970 - 03 - 30 - 0000 March 30, 1970 The Spectrum Philadelphia Milwaukee Bucks * 156 -- 120 -- Philadelphia 76ers Bucks ' Kareem Abdul - Jabbar scored a game - high 33 points Leading scorers Bucks : Abdul - Jabbar ( 33 ), Jon McGlocklin ( 24 ), Flynn Robinson ( 20 ) 76ers : Archie Clark ( 20 ) The Bucks won the conference semifinals series 4 -- 1 9 276 000000002013 - 04 - 27 - 0000 April 27, 2013 United Center Chicago Chicago Bulls 142 -- 134 Brooklyn Nets Bulls ' Nate Robinson scored a game - high 34 points Leading scorers Bulls : Robinson ( 34 ), Carlos Boozer ( 21 ) Nets : Deron Williams ( 32 ), Brook Lopez ( 26 ), Joe Johnson ( 22 ) The Bulls won the first round series 4 -- 3 See also National Basketball Association portal Notes Jump up ^ It has been the record for 7004126040000000000 ♠ 34 years, 185 days. Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Terry Tyler ( 18 ), Bill Laimbeer ( 17 ), Vinnie Johnson ( 12 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Mike Evans ( 16 ), Richard Anderson ( 13 ), Danny Schayes ( 11 ). Jump up ^ This was the record from March 6, 1982 to December 13, 1983. It lasted for 7002647000000000000 ♠ 1 year, 282 days. Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Dave Corzine ( 19 ), Johnny Moore ( 16 ), Mike Bratz ( 14 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Sidney Moncrief ( 18 ), Quinn Buckner ( 18 ), Marques Johnson ( 14 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Tom Tolbert ( 18 ), Rod Higgins ( 17 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Todd Lichti ( 19 ), Michael Adams ( 18 ), T.R. Dunn ( 12 ), Jerome Lane ( 11 ), Blair Rasmussen ( 10 ). Jump up ^ In the fourth quarter, the Spurs scored 53 points and the Nuggets scored 46 points. Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Dan Issel ( 17 ), Howard Carter ( 16 ), Mike Evans ( 12 ), Bill Hanzlik ( 11 ), Richard Anderson ( 10 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Gene Banks ( 17 ), Edgar Jones ( 17 ), Artis Gilmore ( 15 ), Keith Edmonson ( 14 ), Mark McNamara ( 14 ). Jump up ^ Kidd recorded 38 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists. Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Boris Diaw ( 16 ), Leandro Barbosa ( 16 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Marcus Williams ( 18 ), Mikki Moore ( 14 ), Eddie House ( 12 ), Nenad Krstić ( 10 ). Jump up ^ This was the record from March 2, 1962 to March 6, 1982. It lasted for 7003730900000000000 ♠ 20 years, 4 days. Jump up ^ This is Chamberlain 's career high. Chamberlain also recorded 25 rebounds. Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Al Attles ( 17 ), Paul Arizin ( 16 ), Tom Meschery ( 16 ), Guy Rodgers ( 11 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Dave Budd ( 13 ), Donnie Butcher ( 10 ). Jump up ^ This tied for the record from March 12, 1970 to March 6, 1982. It lasted for 7003437700000000000 ♠ 11 years, 359 days. Jump up ^ Other with double - digit point totals was Wally Anderzunas ( 12 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Bingo Smith ( 16 ), Stu Lantz ( 14 ), Bernie Williams ( 12 ), Toby Kimball ( 11 ). Jump up ^ In the first half, the Suns scored 107 points and the Nuggets scored 67 points. Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Mark West ( 16 ), Jeff Hornacek ( 12 ), Eddie Johnson ( 12 ). Jump up ^ Other with double - digit point totals was Anthony Cook ( 13 ). Jump up ^ Other with double - digit point totals was Paul Pressey ( 14 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Corey Gaines ( 12 ), Blair Rasmussen ( 10 ). Jump up ^ This was the record from February 27, 1959 to March 2, 1962. It lasted for 7003109900000000000 ♠ 3 years, 3 days. Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Gene Conley ( 14 ), K.C. Jones ( 12 ), Jim Loscutoff ( 11 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Bobby Leonard ( 16 ), Ed Fleming ( 13 ), Boo Ellis ( 12 ). Jump up ^ It has been the record for 7003953200000000000 ♠ 26 years, 36 days. Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Cliff Robinson ( 16 ), Kevin Duckworth ( 14 ), Buck Williams ( 11 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Cedric Ceballos ( 19 ), Andrew Lang ( 13 ). Jump up ^ This was the record from April 26, 1983 to May 11, 1992. It lasted for 7003330300000000000 ♠ 9 years, 15 days. Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Artis Gilmore ( 13 ), Edgar Jones ( 10 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Billy McKinney ( 13 ), Danny Schayes ( 12 ), Rob Williams ( 12 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Robert Parish ( 18 ), Ed Pinckney ( 16 ), Larry Bird ( 15 ), Dennis Johnson ( 12 ), Jim Paxson ( 11 ), John Bagley ( 10 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Kiki Vandeweghe ( 13 ), Charles Oakley ( 11 ), Mark Jackson ( 11 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Rolando Blackman ( 18 ), Derek Harper ( 18 ), James Donaldson ( 15 ), Sam Perkins ( 12 ), Detlef Schrempf ( 10 ), Brad Davis ( 10 ), Bill Wennington ( 10 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Xavier McDaniel ( 18 ), Eddie Johnson ( 14 ), Kevin Williams ( 14 ), Russ Schoene ( 11 ). Jump up ^ This was the record from April 1, 1967 to April 26, 1983. It lasted for 7003586900000000000 ♠ 16 years, 25 days. Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Jim King ( 13 ), Tom Meschery ( 13 ), Fred Hetzel ( 12 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Zelmo Beaty ( 19 ), Joe Caldwell ( 18 ). Jump up ^ This was the record from March 25, 1957 to April 1, 1967. It lasted for 7003365900000000000 ♠ 10 years, 7 days. Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Ed Macauley ( 19 ), Jack McMahon ( 18 ), Chuck Share ( 15 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Ed Kalafat ( 17 ), Vern Mikkelsen ( 16 ). Jump up ^ Other with double - digit point totals was Walt Williams ( 10 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Doug Christie ( 18 ), Mike Bibby ( 16 ), Bobby Jackson ( 16 ), Keon Clark ( 12 ), Jim Jackson ( 11 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Magic Johnson ( 19 ), James Worthy ( 15 ), Michael Cooper ( 13 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Maurice Lucas ( 13 ), Charles Pittman ( 12 ), Charles Jones ( 12 ), Rod Foster ( 10 ). Jump up ^ Other with double - digit point totals was Wilt Chamberlain ( 16 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Jeff Mullins ( 16 ), Jim King ( 15 ), Fred Hetzel ( 12 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Freddie Crawford ( 18 ), Bob Dandridge ( 18 ), Len Chappell ( 12 ), Zaid Abdul - Aziz ( 11 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Fred Hetzel ( 17 ), Wali Jones ( 14 ), Hal Greer ( 12 ), Bud Ogden ( 12 ), Matt Guokas ( 11 ), Billy Cunningham ( 10 ), Jim Washington ( 10 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals was Kirk Hinrich ( 18 ), Jimmy Butler ( 16 ), Luol Deng ( 15 ), Joakim Noah ( 15 ), Taj Gibson ( 10 ). Jump up ^ Others with double - digit point totals were Gerald Wallace ( 17 ), Reggie Evans ( 15 ), Andray Blatche ( 13 ). References General Farrell, Erin & Gardella, John ( 2006 ). Official NBA Guide 2006 -- 07. Sporting News. p. 223. ISBN 9780892048540. CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter ( link ) Specific Jump up ^ `` Basketball glossary ''. FIBA.com. Retrieved March 24, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` NBA League Averages ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2013. Jump up ^ Goldstein, Richard ( December 25, 2004 ). `` In 1954, Shot Clock Revived a Stalled N.B.A. '' The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` History of the Shot Clock ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. October 22, 2001. Retrieved March 30, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Maxwell, John. `` Highest Scoring Game Ever ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Retrieved March 22, 2013. Jump up ^ Neel, Eric ( December 13, 2005 ). `` The big score ''. ESPN.com. Retrieved March 29, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Doug Moe ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Paul Westhead ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 11, 2013. Jump up ^ Newman, Bruce ( November 7, 1988 ). `` This Joker Is Wild ''. Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 30, 2012. Jump up ^ Berkow, Ira ( November 15, 1990 ). `` The Nutty Numbers for The Nuggets ''. The New York Times. Retrieved April 11, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Don Nelson ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 12, 2013. Jump up ^ Jenkins, Lee ( May 13, 2007 ). `` Nellie Ball Energizes Warriors and Confounds Opponents ''. The New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2013. Jump up ^ Sandomir, Richard ( March 1, 2012 ). `` 50th Anniversary of a Scoring Feat That 's as Much Legend as Record ''. The New York Times. Retrieved May 3, 2013. Jump up ^ Bothamley, Dylan ; Levin, Max. `` Fastbreaks : Back to the Future ''. 82games.com. Retrieved April 12, 2013. Jump up ^ Beck, Howard ( May 13, 2008 ). `` Want to Play for D'Antoni ? Start Running ''. The New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2013. Jump up ^ Johnson, Roy S. ( December 13, 1983 ). `` The Great Denver Shootout ''. The New York Times. Retrieved April 12, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Detroit Pistons at Denver Nuggets Box Score, December 13, 1983 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Milwaukee Bucks at San Antonio Spurs Box Score, March 6, 1982 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Golden State Warriors at Denver Nuggets Box Score, November 2, 1990 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Regular Season Records : Points ''. NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive. Retrieved March 23, 2013. Jump up ^ `` San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets Box Score, January 11, 1984 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Phoenix Suns at New Jersey Nets Box Score, December 7, 2006 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Philadelphia Warriors vs New York Knicks Box Score, March 2, 1962 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013. Jump up ^ `` San Diego Rockets at Cincinnati Royals Box Score, March 12, 1970 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns Box Score, November 10, 1990 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs Box Score, November 7, 1990 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 26, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Minneapolis Lakers at Boston Celtics Box Score, February 27, 1959 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 22, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns Box Score, May 11, 1992 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 24, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs Box Score, April 26, 1983 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 26, 2013. Jump up ^ `` New York Knicks at Boston Celtics Box Score, April 28, 1990 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 26, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Seattle SuperSonics at Dallas Mavericks Box Score, April 23, 1987 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 26, 2013. Jump up ^ `` St. Louis Hawks at San Francisco Warriors Box Score, April 1, 1967 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013. Jump up ^ `` St. Louis Hawks at Minneapolis Lakers Box Score, March 25, 1957 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Dallas Mavericks at Sacramento Kings Box Score, May 10, 2003 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, April 20, 1985 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013. Jump up ^ `` San Francisco Warriors at Philadelphia 76ers Box Score, April 14, 1967 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 28, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers Box Score, March 30, 1970 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved March 27, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Brooklyn Nets at Chicago Bulls Box Score, April 27, 2013 ''. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved April 27, 2013. hide National Basketball Association statistical leaders Players Career Regular season Points Franchise Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Turnovers Three - point field goals Free throws Seasons Games Minutes Playoffs Points Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Turnovers Three - point field goals Free throws Games Minutes Annual Points Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Minutes Field goal percentage Three - point field goals Three - point field goal percentage Free throw percentage Season Points Rookie Rebounds Rookie Game Points Playoffs Rebounds Assists Steals Blocks Misc Tallest players Shortest players Oldest and youngest players Highest - paid players Teams Winningest teams All - time win - loss records Winning streaks Losing streaks Misc Highest - scoring games Records Regular season Playoffs All - Star Game Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_highest-scoring_NBA_games&oldid=845595505 '' Categories : National Basketball Association Hidden categories : Featured lists CS1 maint : Uses authors parameter Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 12 June 2018, at 20 : 45. 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Question: most points scored by a single team in an nba game
Answer: 186 points