Highest Scoring Games in NBA History: Pistons vs. Nuggets and Kings vs. Clippers Lead List

• The 1983 showdown between the Pistons and Nuggets holds the record for most points in an NBA game
• The Kings and Clippers came close to breaking that record with their double-overtime game last week
• The famed 1990 matchup between the Warriors and Nuggets is the highest-scoring game in regulation time

The Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Clippers produced an instant classic last week, combining for 351 points in a double-overtime thriller.

That total wasn’t enough to earn the title of highest-scoring NBA game of all time.

Sports Brief takes a look at the five highest-scoring games in league history to answer the question: which contest can claim that tag?

1. Pistons vs. Nuggets (370 points)

It is a record that has stood the test of time. Nearly 40 years ago, on December 13, 1983, the Detroit Pistons edged past the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime. It continues to be the highest-scoring game in the history of the NBA.

Sacramento Kings outlast LA Clippers in double OT NBA classic

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12 players scored in double-figures in that contest, including four stars with 40-plus points each. Kiki Vandeweghe and Alex English scored 51 and 47 points respectively for the Nuggets. Isiah Thomas and John Long dropped 47 and 41 points for the Pistons.

The teams took a combined 251 shots, with both teams hitting on 142 of them. They combined for 117 free throws, 113 rebounds, and 93 assists.

Nuggets coach, Doug Moe summed it up best in an interview after the game, saying he found it difficult to believe his team had scored 184 points and still lost to the Pistons.

2. Kings vs. Clippers (351 points)

The Kings and the Clippers made scoring look so easy when they squared off on February 24, 2023. Sacramento and Los Angeles went toe-to-toe for 58 minutes, with the Kings pulling off a 176-175 win.

Klay Thompson 42-point display lifts the Warriors past the Rockets

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The Kings’ 176 points are the third-highest single-team total in NBA history, trailing only Detroit (186) and Denver (184) from their 1983 encounter. The Clips are now ranked fourth in that tally with their 175-point output.

Three players scored at least 40 points in this ballgame, only the fifth time that has happened in league history. Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox led the way for the Kings with 45 and 42 points respectively, while Kawhi Leonard chipped in 44 for LA.

3. Bucks vs. Spurs (337 points)

The Milwaukee Bucks and the San Antonio Spurs scored in bunches in their matchup on March 6, 1982, combining for 337 points in their triple-overtime encounter.

The Spurs ultimately prevailed, pulling off a 171-166 victory. George Gervin and Mike Mitchell were unstoppable for San Antonio, scoring 50 and 45 points respectively, per Yardbarker.

Brian Winters and Junior Bridgeman led the way for the Bucks, with the two bench players combining for 73 points. Milwaukee shot 61.3% from the field but still lost in this epic showdown.

Watch Jayson Tatum's stunning clutch shot that lifts Celtics over 76ers

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4. Bulls vs. Hawks (329 points)

The Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks gave fans a treat when they battled for 68 minutes in a quadruple-overtime classic on March 1, 2019. The Bulls came out on top, beating the Hawks 168-161 at State Farm Arena.

Zach LaVine and Trae Young played the game of their lives, with both stars recording career-highs in scoring. Lavine scored 47 points for the Bulls, while Young dropped 49 points in a losing effort.

5. Warriors vs. Nuggets (320 points)

The matchup between the Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets is the only game in this list that did not go to overtime. They still managed to rack up points quickly, combining for 320 on November 2, 1990.

What made this game so memorable for fans of both teams is that this happened in their season opener. Chris Mullin, Tim Hardaway, and Mitch Richmond combined for 99 points for the Warriors, who won 162-158.

Memphis Grizzlies dominant as they stun West leaders Denver Nuggets

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Lillard joins the 70-point club

Sports Brief recently reported on the members of the coveted 70-point club in the NBA's history.

Wilt Chamberlain topped the list with his 100-point explosion against the New York Knicks in 1962.

Damian Lillard recently joined the exclusive group, scoring 71 points against the Houston Rockets.