Everyone knows Wilt scored 100 points in a game. But the NBA record book goes far deeper than the headlines. Here are 15 records that'll surprise even the most dedicated basketball fan.
Scoring Records
1. Most points in a quarter: 33 — Klay Thompson scored 37 points in a single quarter against the Kings in January 2015, hitting 13 of 13 shots including 9 three-pointers. He literally couldn't miss.
2. Most consecutive free throws: 97 — Michael Williams of the Timberwolves hit 97 straight free throws across the 1992-93 season. For context, most players would be thrilled with 90% for a season.
3. Youngest to score 10,000 points — LeBron James reached 10,000 career points at age 23, the youngest player in NBA history to hit that milestone.
Rebound Records
4. Most rebounds in a game: 55 — Wilt Chamberlain grabbed 55 rebounds in a single game in 1960. That's more than some teams grab in an entire game today.
5. Most offensive rebounds in a game: 11 — Moses Malone holds this record, set in 1982. He was arguably the greatest offensive rebounder ever.
Assist Records
6. Most assists in a game: 30 — Scott Skiles set this record in 1990 with the Orlando Magic. What makes it wild is that Skiles was never considered an elite point guard — he was a solid starter who had one legendary night.
7. Most assists in a season: 1,164 — John Stockton set this record in 1990-91, averaging 14.5 assists per game. His total is 200+ more than the second-best season ever.
Defensive Records
8. Most blocks in a game: 17 — Elmore Smith blocked 17 shots in a 1973 game. For reference, most elite shot-blockers average about 2-3 per game.
9. Most steals in a game: 11 — Larry Kenon (1976) and Kendall Gill (1999) share this record.
Longevity Records
10. Most seasons played: 22 — Vince Carter played from 1998 to 2020, spanning four decades. He was drafted the same year as Dirk Nowitzki and retired the same year the league played in the bubble.
11. Oldest player to score 40+ — Michael Jordan scored 43 points at age 40 in 2003.
Team Records
12. Largest comeback: 36 points — The Clippers came back from 35 points down to beat the Warriors in 2019, and the record has been tied and nearly broken several times since.
13. Most three-pointers in a game (team): 29 — The Bucks hit 29 threes against the Heat in 2023, showing how much the game has changed.
Unusual Records
14. Most triple-doubles in a season: 42 — Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double three times, but his 42 triple-doubles in 2016-17 is the single-season record.
15. Most minutes per game in a season: 48.5 — Wilt Chamberlain averaged more than 48 minutes per game in 1961-62. The math only works because of overtime games, and it means he essentially never sat down.
The NBA record book is full of these gems. Test how many you'd remember under pressure in our Top 10 Quiz or see if you can separate fact from fiction in 2 Truths 1 Lie.