Most assists in NBA game: who holds the record in 2024?

Most assists in NBA game: who holds the record in 2024?

Kenneth Mwenda
updated at February 16, 2024 at 3:14 PM

Most stars have broken various records for most assists in an NBA game. No one, however, has surpassed Wilt Chamberlain's extensive collection of statistical triumphs. Assists can occasionally be just as significant in basketball as scores. Your team will suffer from a lack of assists without playmakers, which typically translates to fewer points.

Most assists in NBA game
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

According to the NBA handbook, an assist is the "final pass directly leading to a field goal, only if the player scoring the goal replies by exhibiting immediate reaction to the basket". In creating this comprehensively informative article, we collected information from several sources.

Who has the most assists in an NBA game?

In the game, big names have always been linked to great records that remain on the record list for years. Here are some examples of the greatest assists by NBA players in history:

8. John Stockton- 26

April 14, 1988: Utah Jazz 123–128 Portland Trail Blazers

NBA players with the highest numbers of assists
John Stockton visits Bookends Bookstore on October 29, 2013, in Ridgewood, New Jersey. Photo: Dave Kotinsky
Source: Getty Images

He had previously held this record before breaking it the following year. The NBA record holder for career assists and steals belongs to Stockton, a ten-time All-Star. In 2009, for his solo career, and again in 2010, as a member of the 1992 United States Olympic basketball team, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

He was recognized as one of the top 50 NBA players of all time in 1996. In addition, Stockton was once again recognized as one of the greatest players in the league by being nominated to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in October 2021.

7. John Stockton - 27

December 19, 1989: Utah Jazz 107–115 New York Knicks

Most assists in a NBA playoff game
John Stockton, the #12 for the Utah Jazz dribbling the ball and defended by Derek Harper of the Dallas Mavericks during an NBA game in 1993 at Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

One of the best point guards and passers of all time, he played for the Utah Jazz for the entirety of his 19-year NBA career (1984–2003), and the team made the playoffs each year. Throughout his 19-season career, Stockton only missed 22 games.

6. Geoff Huston - 27

January 27, 1982: Cleveland Cavaliers 110–106 Golden State Warriors

Most assists in an NBA game
Geoff Huston, the #20 for the Cleveland Cavaliers, goes up to shoot over John Duren (#44) of the Indiana Pacers during an NBA basketball game circa 1983 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

Geoff Huston, the point guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers, broke a team record by dishing out 27 assists in the Cavs' 110-106 victory over the Golden State Warriors. In his career, he also played point guard for the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, and New York Knicks.

5. Guy Rodgers – 28

March 14, 1963: St. Louis Hawks 114 - 109 San Francisco Warriors

NBA most team assists in a game
Guy Rodgers, the #5 for the Philadelphia Warriors, shoots as Tom Heinsohn (#15), Bob Cousy (#14) and Bill Russell (#6) of the Boston Celtics defend on December 12, 1959. Photo by Hy Peskin.
Source: Getty Images

In their defeat against the St. Louis Hawks, the San Francisco Warriors' Guy Rodgers tied the NBA mark for most assists with 28, established in 1959 by Boston's Bob Cousy. He played in the NBA for twelve years (1958–1970), and in the early to mid-1960s, he was among the top playmakers in the game.

In the NBA's race for most assists, Rodgers finished second twice and first six times. 2014 saw Rodgers' induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

4. John Stockton – 28

January 15, 1991: Utah Jazz 124 - 102 San Antonio Spurs

Most assists by a center in an NBA game
John Stockton reacts after being introduced as part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game on February 20, 2022, in Ohio. Photo by Tim Nwachukwu
Source: Getty Images

Stockton concluded the game against the Spurs in 1991 with 20 points on 8 of 12 shooting, eight steals, and of course, the 28 assists. We'd be negligent if we didn't highlight his complete stats line.

3. Bob Cousy – 28 Assists

February 27, 1959: Boston Celtics 173 - 139 Minneapolis Lakers

Most assists in a NBA game by a rookie
Boston Celtics' Bob Cousy (14) tries to dribble past Milwaukee's Bob Harrison (7) during the third period of their game on November 11, 1954. Photo: Bettmann
Source: Getty Images

You assume someone must have picked up some assists when a team sets the record for the most points scored in an NBA game (it is now tied for third-most). That would be Cousy, who at the time broke the record with a total of 28 assists. Between 1952–1953 and 1959–1960, he had an eight-year streak in which he led the league in assists per game.

2. Kevin Porter – 29 Assists

February 24, 1978: New Jersey Nets 126 - 112 Houston Rockets

Most assists in an NBA game
Kevin Porter, the #1 for the New Jersey Nets goes up to shoot over Charles Johnson (#15) of the Washington Bullets at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland, in1978. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

In the 1977–78 season, Porter had three more games with 20 or more assists. Then, on November 7, 1977, he was moved from the Detroit Pistons to the Brooklyn Nets. Just 10 months later, the Pistons again acquired Porter from the Nets, indicating that they had learned from their error.

John Williamson (39 points) and Bernard King (35) were the main targets during Porter's historic 29-assist performance for the Nets, which saw him eclipse Bob Cousy and Guy Rodgers on the all-time list at the time. Porter then set a Pistons franchise record with 25 dimes on March 9, 1979.

1. Scott Skiles – 30 Assists

December 30, 1990: Orlando Magic 155 - 116 Denver Nuggets

Most assists in an NBA game
Scott Skiles of the Orlando Magic during the game against the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena on April 10, 2016, in Miami, Florida. Photo: Rob Foldy
Source: Getty Images

It makes sense that Skiles went on to become the head coach of the Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and Orlando Magic. This was through his ability to read the court.

In the last minute of this regular-season game, Skiles destroyed the Nuggets and broke Kevin Porter's 12-year NBA record, playing against a team noted for its "run and gun" style and disregard for defence under Paul Westhead. Orlando had eight players score in double figures, and the Magic scored 155 points, a franchise record.

Who had the most assists in an NBA game season?

The NBA record holder for career assists and steals belongs to Stockton, who was a ten-time All-Star. In 2009, for his solo career, and again in 2010, as a member of the 1992 United States Olympic basketball team, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

He was recognized as one of the top 50 NBA players of all time in 1996. In addition, Stockton was once again recognized as one of the greatest players in the league by being nominated to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in October 2021.

The most assists in an NBA game by a rookie

Most assists in an NBA game by a rookie
Atlanta Hawks Head Coach Nate McMillan looks on during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at State Farm Arena on April 2nd, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Todd Kirkland
Source: Getty Images

With 25 assists each, Nate McMillan and Ernie DiGregorio share the record for a rookie's contribution to a game. All of Nate McMillan's NBA time was spent in Seattle. The averages throughout McMillan's 12-year playing career (1986–1988) were 5.9 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.

In the 1973–74 NBA season, Ernie DiGregorio won the Rookie of the Year award. Unfortunately, only five NBA seasons were played by DiGregorio because of a catastrophic knee injury he had early in his professional career (1973 - 78). The year 2019 saw the induction of DiGregorio into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

Who has the most rebounds by a rookie in a game?

With 45 rebounds against the Syracuse Nationals on February 6, 1960, Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for a rookie. Just 4 months had passed since his league debut.

What are Wilt Chamberlain's most rebounds in a game?

On November 24, 1960, Philadelphia Warrior Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA record for the most rebounds in a single game by hauling in 55 against the Boston Celtics. It was during his second NBA season.

Who has the most assists in an NBA playoff game?

Most assists in NBA playoffs
American basketball player Magic Johnson (born Earvin Johnson Jr), of the Los Angeles Lakers, dribbles the ball during a game at Los Angeles, California, in the 1980s. Photo: Anthony Barboza
Source: Getty Images

The only player on this list who played out of position during his "Magical" performance was Magic Johnson, who finished with 2,346 points. One of most unforgettable moment is when he switched from point guard to centre to begin Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals.

The most assists by a centre in an NBA game

With 21 assists against the Pistons on February 2, 1968, Wilt Chamberlain set the record for the most assists by a centre in a game. He has many statistical achievements in history, as many people have seen.

The NBA's most team assists in a game

The Milwaukee Bucks held the record for a team's total number of assists in a game with 53 against the Pistons on December 26, 1978. It's ironic that the game in which Skiles set the individual record isn't even in the top 20 games ever with team assistance.

Which team has the most assists in an NBA playoff game?

Team with the most assists in an NBA playoff
Gene Banks, the #20 for the San Antonio Spurs, battles for a rebound against the Washington Bullets during an NBA game in 1983 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

The San Antonio Spurs have recorded the most assists in a playoff game of any club. In Game 5 of the 1983 Western Conference Semifinals against the Nuggets, they recorded 51 assists.

Players have to sacrifice to have the most assists in an NBA game. Those who put the ball in the basket typically receive commendations, but those who place the ball in the proper hands to make a field goal are frequently forgotten.

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Authors
Kenneth Mwenda photo
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a business and sports writer with over five years of experience. At Sportsbrief, he contributes to writing biographies and listicles.