Points in basketball are used to keep track of the score in a game. Points can be accumulated by making field goals (two or three points) or free throws (one point).  If a player makes a field goal from within the three-point line, the player scores two points; if the player is fouled in the act of shooting, a made free throw turns it into a three-point play.  If the player makes a field goal from beyond the three-point line, the player scores three points; if the player is fouled in the act of shooting, a made free throw turns it into a four-point play.  The team that has recorded the most points at the end of a game is declared that game's winner.

NBA records

Regular season
 Most career points: 
LeBron James (38,652 pts)
 Youngest player to reach... (career)
 5,000 Points – LeBron James (21 years, 22 days) on January 21, 
 10,000 Points – LeBron James (23 years, 59 days) on Feb. 27, 
 20,000 Points – LeBron James (28 years, 17 days) on Jan. 16, 
 25,000 Points – LeBron James (30 years, 307 days) on Nov. 2, 
 30,000 Points – LeBron James (33 years, 24 days) on Jan. 23, 
 35,000 Points – LeBron James (36 years, 50 days) on Feb. 18, 

 Highest career scoring average: 
Michael Jordan (30.12 ppg)
 Most points scored in a season: 
4,029 by Wilt Chamberlain (1961–62)
 Highest seasonal scoring average: 
50.4 by Wilt Chamberlain (1961–62)
 Highest seasonal scoring average by rookie: 
37.6 by Wilt Chamberlain (1959–60)
 Most points in a game by a rookie: 
58 by Wilt Chamberlain (01/25/1960 & 02/21/1960)
 Most points in one game: 
100 by Wilt Chamberlain (3/2/1962 vs. New York Knicks)
 Most points in one half: 
59 by Wilt Chamberlain (3/2/1962 vs. New York Knicks)
 Most points in one quarter: 
37 by Klay Thompson
 Most points in one overtime period: 
16 by Gilbert Arenas
 Most consecutive points: 
26 by Carmelo Anthony (12/10/2008 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves)
 Largest comeback: 
36 by Utah Jazz (11/27/1996 vs. Denver Nuggets)
 Most consecutive seasons leading league in points: 
7 by Wilt Chamberlain (1959-66) & Michael Jordan (1986-93)
 Youngest to lead the league in scoring:
Kevin Durant at 21 years, 197 days averaged 30.1 ppg during 2009–10 season
 Oldest to lead the league in scoring:
Michael Jordan at 35 years, 60 days averaged 28.7 points per game during 1997–98 season
 Youngest player to score 60+ points in a game
Devin Booker scored 70 points for the Phoenix Suns vs. the Boston Celtics at the age of 20 years, 145 days
 Oldest player to score 60+ points in a game
Kobe Bryant scored 60 points for the Los Angeles Lakers vs. the Utah Jazz at the age of 37 years, 234 days
 Youngest player to score 50+ points in a game
Brandon Jennings scored 55 points for the Milwaukee Bucks vs. the Golden State Warriors at the age of 20 years, 52 days
 Oldest player to score 50+ points in a game
Jamal Crawford scored 51 points for the Phoenix Suns vs. the Dallas Mavericks at the age of 39 years, 21 days
 Oldest player to score 40+ points in a game
Michael Jordan scored 43 points for the Washington Wizards vs. the New Jersey Nets at the age of 40 years, 4 days
 Oldest player to score 30+ points in a game
Dirk Nowitzki scored 30 points for the Dallas Mavericks vs. the Phoenix Suns at the age of 40 years, 294 days
 Oldest player to score 20+ points in a game
Vince Carter scored 21 points for the Atlanta Hawks vs. the Miami Heat at the age of 42 years, 37 days
 Lowest average team season point differential: 
-15.2 by the Dallas Mavericks in the  season
 Most points in a triple-double: 
60 by James Harden (1/30/2018) & Luka Doncic (12/27/2022)
 Most 50-point games: 
118 by Wilt Chamberlain
 Most 40-point games: 
271 by Wilt Chamberlain
 Most consecutive 60+ point games
 4 by Wilt Chamberlain (Feb. 25 to March 2, 1962)
 Most consecutive 55+ point games
 5 by Wilt Chamberlain (Feb. 25 to March 4, 1962)
 Most consecutive 50+ point games
 7 by Wilt Chamberlain  (Dec. 16 to Dec. 29, 1961)
 Most consecutive 45+ point games
 9 by Wilt Chamberlain (Nov. 9 to Nov. 23, 1962)
 Most consecutive 40+ point games
 14 by Wilt Chamberlain (Dec. 8 to Dec. 30, 1961)
 14 by Wilt Chamberlain (Jan. 11 to Feb. 1, 1962)
 Most consecutive 35+ point games
 33 by Wilt Chamberlain (Jan. 3  to Feb. 22, 1962)
 Most consecutive 30+ point games
 65 by Wilt Chamberlain from November 4,  – February 22, 
 Most consecutive 25+ point games
 40 by Michael Jordan  (Dec. 16, 1986 to March 11, 1987)
 Most consecutive 20+ point games
 126 by Wilt Chamberlain from Oct. 19,  – January 19, 
 Most consecutive 10+ point games
 1,151 by LeBron James from Jan. 6,  – present (active)

 Highest scoring team totals - overtime: 
370 by Detroit Pistons (186 pts) & Denver Nuggets (184 pts) in 1983 (3OT)
 Most points by team in a game – regulation
 173 by the Boston Celtics vs. the Minneapolis Lakers on February 27, 
 173 by the Phoenix Suns vs. the Denver Nuggets on November 10, 
 Fewest points in game – both teams
 37 by the Fort Wayne Pistons (19) vs Minneapolis Lakers (18) on November 22, 1950
 Most points by team in 2nd half
 97 by the Atlanta Hawks at the San Diego Rockets on February 11, 
 Fewest points by team in 2nd half (post shot-clock)
 16 by the New Orleans Hornets at the Los Angeles Clippers on March 1, 
 Most points by team in 1st half: 
107 by Phoenix Suns (11/10/1990 vs. Denver Nuggets)
 Fewest points by team in 1st half (post shot-clock)
 19 by the Los Angeles Clippers at the Los Angeles Lakers on December 14, 
 Fewest points by team in one quarter
 2 by Dallas Mavericks in 3rd quarter (4/6/1997)
 Most points by team in one quarter
 58 by Buffalo Braves in 4th quarter (10/20/1972)
 Fewest points by team in a game (post shot-clock)
 49 by the Chicago Bulls vs. the Miami Heat on April 10, 
 Most fast-break points in a game
 56 by the Phoenix Suns at the Golden State Warriors on March 15, 
Largest margin of victory:
73 - Memphis Grizzlies (152) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (79) (12/2/2021)
Most consecutive unanswered points scored by NBA team
29 straight (29-0 run) by Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings on Feb 4th, 1987
29 straight (29-0 run) by Cleveland Cavaliers vs Milwaukee Bucks on Dec 6th, 2009

Playoffs
 Most career points: 
LeBron James (8,023)
 Highest career scoring average: 
Michael Jordan (33.4)
 Highest series scoring average: 
Jerry West (46.3)
 Most points in one game, Playoffs: 
Michael Jordan (63, 4/20/1986 vs. Boston Celtics [2OT])
 Most points in one half: 
Sleepy Floyd (39, Golden State Warriors vs. L.A. Lakers)
 Most points in one quarter: 
Sleepy Floyd (29, Golden State Warriors vs. L.A. Lakers)
 Most points in one overtime period: 
Stephen Curry (17, 5/9/16 vs. Portland Trail Blazers)
 Most career points, Finals: 
Jerry West (1,679)
 Most points in one game, Finals: 
Elgin Baylor (61, 4/14/1962 vs. Boston Celtics)
 Most points in one half, Finals: 
Michael Jordan (35, 6/3/1992 vs. Portland Trail Blazers)
 Most points in one quarter, Finals: 
Isiah Thomas (25, 6/19/1988 vs L.A. Lakers)
 Most 50-point games: 
8 by Michael Jordan
 Most 40-point games: 
38 by Michael Jordan
 Most 30-point games: 
120 by Lebron James
Largest margin of victory:
 58 - Denver Nuggets defeated the New Orleans Hornets (2009)
 58 - Minneapolis Lakers' defeat St. Louis Hawks (1956)

All Star Game 
Most points – career
426 by LeBron James
Most points per game – career (3 games min.)
25.14 by Giannis Antetokounmpo
Most points – game
55 by Jayson Tatum (2023)
Most points – half
38 by Jayson Tatum (2023)
Most points – quarter
27 by Jayson Tatum (2023)
Most points – team
196 by West All-Stars (2016)
Most points – both teams
374 (2017)
Most points in a half – team
104 by West All-Stars (2016)
Most points in a half – both teams
191 (2023)
Most points in a quarter – team
60 by Team LeBron (2021)
Most points in a quarter – both teams
101 (2017)
101 (2021)
Fewest points – team
75 by East All-Stars (1953)
Fewest points – both teams
154 (1953)
Largest margin of victory
40 (153–113) by West All-Stars (1992)

WNBA records

Regular season
 Most career points: 
Diana Taurasi (10,069 pts)
 Most points in one game: 
53 by A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas vs. Atlanta on Aug. 22, 2023 (regulation)
53 by Liz Cambage, Dallas vs. New York on July 17, 2018 (regulation)
 Most points scored in a season: 
860 by Diana Taurasi with Phoenix in 2006
 Highest career scoring average: 
20.98 by Cynthia Cooperwith Houston (1997–2000, 2003)
 Most points in one half: 
 35 by Riquna Williams, Tulsa at San Antonio on Sept. 8, 2013
 Most points in one quarter: 
22 by Diana Taurasi, Phoenix vs. Los Angeles on July 14, 2006
22 by Brittney Sykes, Atlanta at Phoenix on July 7, 2019
22 by Jewell Loyd, Seattle vs. Phoenix on Sept. 17, 2021
 Most points in one overtime period: 
12 by Mwadi Mabika, Los Angeles vs. San Antonio on July 2, 2004
12 by Sheryl Swoopes, Houston vs. Indiana on May 29, 2005
12 by Deanna Nolan, Detroit vs. New York on June 3, 2005
12 by Becky Hammon, San Antonio vs. Detroit on Aug. 29, 2009
 Most points by a reserve, game
38 by DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix vs. Dallas on June 18, 2016
 Highest points per game average by a reserve, season (Min. 20 bench appearances)
15.8 by Candice Wiggins with Minnesota in 2008
Most consecutive unanswered points scored by a WNBA team
37 straight (37-0 run) by Minnesota Lynx on Aug. 18, 2017
Largest margin of victory
59 by Minnesota Lynx (111) vs Indiana Fever (52) on Aug. 18, 2017
 Most points in a triple-double: 
31 by Sabrina Ionescu on Jul 7, 2022
Most points scored by rookie in debut game:
34 by Candace Parker on May 17, 2008
Fewest points in game – both teams
78 by Miami Sol (42) and Washington Mystics (36) on Aug. 8, 2001
Highest scoring team totals:
223 by New York Liberty (116) and Las Vegas Aces (107) on July 7, 2022
Largest comeback:
28 by Chicago Sky against Las Vegas Aces on Jun 22, 2022

Playoffs
 Most career points: 
Diana Taurasi (1,455)
 Most points in one game, Playoffs: 
42 by Breanna Stewart vs Las Vegas Aces on Sept. 6, 2022
42 by Angel McCoughtry vs New York Liberty on Sept. 7, 2010
 Most points in one game, Finals: 
38 by Angel McCoughtry vs Minnesota Lynx on Oct. 5, 2011
 Most career points, Finals: 
 441 by Maya Moore (2011-17)

All Star Game
Most points – game
31 by Jewell Loyd in July 2023
Most points – both teams
270 in July 2023

U.S. college 
 Most points in one game: 138 points by Grinnell's  Jack Taylor  on  November 20, 2012 
Highest career scoring average: Pete Maravich  (44.2ppg)

See also 
 List of basketball players who have scored 100 points in a single game
 List of NBA regular season records
 List of NBA post-season records
 List of WNBA regular season records
 List of WNBA post-season records
 List of WNBA All-Star Game records
 List of National Basketball Association career scoring leaders
 List of National Basketball Association season scoring leaders
 List of National Basketball Association players with most points in a game
 List of National Basketball Association players with 50 or more points in a playoff game
 List of National Basketball Association top individual scoring season averages
 List of National Basketball Association top rookie scoring averages
 List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders
 List of National Basketball Association career assists leaders
 List of highest-scoring NBA games
 List of National Basketball League (United States) scoring leaders

References 

Basketball terminology
Basketball statistics
Scoring (basketball)