NBA is the world’s best basketball league and one of the top-tier sports leagues in general. As such, NBA records are testaments to the world’s highest levels of basketball skill. We’ve done the research and gathered the most impressive records that tell a story of a highly-competitive league full of extraordinary teams and players.
Keep reading to find out more.
The Top 10 NBA Records You Must Know
- Wilt Chamberlain holds the most regular-season records, including a 100-point game.
- To top the list for the best NBA record, the Warriors went 73-9 in 2016.
- The LA Lakers hold the single-season record for most consecutive wins.
- Charlotte Bobcats’ seven wins in 2011–12 is the worst record in history.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has the regular-season scoring NBA record of all time.
- One of the most unbelievable records is Bill Russell’s 11 titles.
- Michael Jordan holds one of the best NBA records, points per game average.
- LeBron James holds the most games and total points records in the playoffs.
- The NBA record for most rebounds of all time goes to Wilt Chamberlain.
- The Boston Celtics and the LA Lakers share the record for most titles.
Best NBA Regular Season Records
The NBA season is a marathon of 82 games, 48 minutes each (if we don’t count OT, of course.), where 2022 season NBA games had an average of 1.4 million viewers on average. That’s plenty of time to create history, juice up the stats and set new records. Keep reading below to find out some remarkable regular-season records.
1. To top the list for the best NBA record, the Warriors went 73-9 in 2016.
(Basketball Reference)
The 2015–2016 season was historic for the Golden State Warriors, the second most valued NBA team. They broke the best regular-season NBA record for most regular-season wins, with 73.
That result surpassed Michael Jordan’s 1996 Chicago Bulls record of 72-10.
2. The LA Lakers hold the NBA single–season record for most consecutive wins.
(Basketball Reference)
We have to go back to 1971–72 for this record, when the Lakers managed 33 wins in a row, including 16 road wins, a best regular-season record in the NBA itself.
The closest a team has achieved this is Golden State Warriors in 2015, with 28, and Miami Heat in 2013, with 27 wins.
3. The Golden State Warriors have the best NBA record through 50 games before the All-Star game.
(Bleacher Report)
The All-Star break in February is usually the benchmark for mid-season and trade deadlines. On average, about 50 games are played by then.
In 2016, the Warriors went 48-4, with a winning percentage of .923. That’s one of the best Golden State Warriors NBA records that will be hard to break.
4. Wilt Chamberlain holds possibly the most NBA records in the regular season, including a 100-point game.
(NBA)
Wilt Chamberlain was a force to be reckoned with and famously scored 100 points in a game, one of the NBA point records that will likely never be matched.
He also holds the record for most rebounds in a game with 55, most games over 50 points with 118, and the highest points per season average, with 50.4.
5. Michael Jordan holds one of the best NBA records, points per game average.
(Basketball Reference, NBA)
The name Michael Jordan is as famous as the NBA itself, being considered one of the most capable athletes to walk the earth. Michael Jordan holds a prestigious record — career average points per game, with 30.12. NBA history statistics show that he managed to do that in 1,072 games.
We should mention that he barely beats Wilt Chamberlain, who averaged 30.07 career points per game.
6. The Milwaukee Bucks had the best record in the NBA in 2020 and became the fastest team to clinch playoffs.
(NBA, Fadeaway World)
The Bucks’ regular season in 2020 had fans believe the title could finally come back to Milwaukee. The team managed to clinch the playoffs in just 56 games, beating the Warriors’ record of 2017.
Sadly, the team was disappointing in the playoffs and lost to Miami.
7. Klay Thompson has the NBA 3–point record in a single game.
(NBA)
Three-pointers have become the norm in the NBA over the last several seasons.
Klay Thompson from the Golden State Warriors currently has the NBA 3 point record in a game with 14.
An honorable mention is Steph Curry, who has managed 13, 12, and 11(on six occasions.)
Essential Playoff NBA Records
The playoffs are where the real action starts. Playoffs are the time for the best teams and players to step up and show who the No.1 is.
We can bet that most of the 150 million people who watch live sports in the US follow the NBA playoffs.
8. LeBron James holds the most games and total NBA points records in the playoffs.
(NBA)
King James passed Derek Fisher in 2020 and has one of the best NBA playoff records for playing the most games in the playoffs, with 266. He also has scored the most points in the playoffs, 7,631.
9. Michael Jordan holds possibly the best NBA record ever in the playoffs, points per game.
(NBC Sports, NBA)
On the court, Michael Jordan was a phenomenon and a fierce competitor, especially in the playoffs.
His career average is 33.4 points per game (higher than his regular-season average). He holds the NBA playoff score record for most points in a playoff game with 63 points.
Off the court, his competitiveness has made him a successful businessman and team owner. Unfortunately, it also led to some serious gambling problems.
10. Magic Johnson and John Stockton share the playoff single-game NBA assist record.
(NBC Sports)
The record is 24 assists in a playoff game. Magic Johnson achieved that result in 1984 against the Phoenix Suns, and John Stockton matched that result in 1988 against Johnston’s Lakers.
11. The Golden State Warriors 2017 team has the best record in the NBA in the playoffs for that year.
(Basketball Reference)
The Warriors team was unstoppable in the playoffs in 2017. They broke the record for most consecutive wins, with 15, and finished the playoffs as champions, with a 16-1 record (.9412), the best in NBA historical statistics.
12. The Los Angeles Lakers have the best record in NBA history in the playoffs.
(Land of Basketball)
The Lakers achieved NBA records wins of 456 and 305 losses, and a percentage of 0.599. The team has an astonishing record of reaching the playoffs 62 times in their 73-year history.
The No.2 Boston Celtics have a winning percentage of 0.566 and 382 wins and 293 losses.
13. Shaquille O’Neal holds the best NBA record for offensive rebounds in the playoffs.
(NBA)
Shaq is probably one of the strongest and largest players in the league’s history and was a great rebounder.
The 7’1” center managed 866 offensive rebounds in 216 playoff games, averaging 4 per game, making it an NBA rebounds record on the offensive.
14. Allen Iverson has the NBA best record for steals in a playoff game.
(NBC Sports)
Iverson managed 10 steals on May 13, 1999, against the Orlando Magic.
He is the only player to get double-digit steals in a playoff game. In that game, he finished with 33 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Crucial NBA All–Time Records
Some records stand in time and take a whole career to accomplish. We’ve collected some of the most important ones that every fan needs to know. You decide which is the best all-time NBA record.
15. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has the regular-season scoring NBA record of all time.
(NBA)
The Lakers and Bucks legend scored 38,387 points throughout 1,560 games in his career, making it the best NBA regular-season record.
Karl Malone comes in second, with 36,928, and LeBron James comes third, with 35,367.
However, King James might take that No.1 spot if he plays for another couple of years.
16. John Stockton holds multiple NBA records, like all-time assists and steals.
(NBA)
John Stockton spent his entire career with the Utah Jazz. While unknown in college and starting slowly in the NBA, he became a Jazz and basketball legend.
He managed to break the all-time record for assists, with 15,806, and for steals, with 3,265.
17. The NBA rebounding record of all time goes to Wilt Chamberlain.
(NBA)
Wilt Chamberlain was indeed a spectacular player. He holds multiple NBA records, one of which is the best of the NBA rebound records. In his 1,045 career games, he achieved 23,924 rebounds.
That’s 22.9 per game, and when you add 30.1 points per game, his numbers might never be matched.
18. Ray Allen holds one of the most important NBA records, the all-time 3-pointers one.
(NBA)
Ray Allen managed 2,973 three-pointers in his career, the best 3 point records in the NBA.
But with the NBA changing and moving towards more three-pointers, that will change soon.
The No.2 Steph Curry has 2,832 in 538 fewer games and 20,000 fewer minutes. On top of that, Curry is still at the peak of his career.
(NBA)
Both teams have managed to win 17 titles each. To put that in perspective, they’ve won in 34 of the 74 seasons, the best record in the NBA.
The Celtics managed to win 11 out of 13 seasons during their dynasty in the 50s and 60s. On the other hand, the Lakers’ titles are spread out through the years, most recently in 2020.
20. One of the most unbelievable NBA records in 2021 is Bill Russell’s 11 titles.
(USA Today)
As we mentioned, the Celtics won 11 titles in 13 years in the 50s and 60s. Bill Russell won all 11, one of the most impressive NBA basketball records. His teammate Sam Jones is second, with 10.
Tom Brady comes the closest in today’s major sports, but it’s hard to imagine anyone matching or beating Russell’s record.
21. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has won the MVP or best in the NBA record six times.
(AS)
Once again, Abdul-Jabbar makes our list. That’s because we can’t ignore his 6 MVPs, the best NBA record in history. He got 3 with the Milwaukee Bucks and 3 with the LA Lakers.
Behind him, Bill Russell and Michael Jordan have 5, and LeBron James and Wilt Chamberlain have 4.
The Worst NBA Record Numbers
You’ve learned about the best, but what about the worst records? We’ve collected a few that you may rank for yourself.
22. What might not be the best NBA season record is Rasheed Wallace’s 41 technical fouls in 2000-01.
(NBA)
Rasheed Wallace managed 41 technical fouls while playing for the Portland Trailblazers in 2000-01. That is a record that might never be broken, as rules have changed — players would miss games and be fined if they reached 16 technical fouls.
23. One of the craziest NBA records is Bubba Wells’ foul out in 2 minutes and 43 seconds.
(NBC Sports)
Wells managed to get in the history books in 1997 against Chicago Bulls’ Dennis Rodman. The Dallas Mavericks player averaged a foul every 27 seconds.
Moreover, Rodman is known for being a bad free-throw shooter, but he scored career-high 9 free throws that night.
24. Charlotte Bobcats’ seven wins in 2011–12 is the worst record in NBA history.
(Basketball Reference)
Charlotte Bobcats, now the Hornets, had a season to forget in 2011–12. The team managed only 7 wins and 59 losses for a winning percentage of 0.106. The Philadelphia 76ers hold the No.2 and No.3 spots, with a 9-73 record in 1972–73 and 10-72 in 2015–16.
25. The Golden State Warriors set one of the worst NBA records in 2020, the biggest wins dropoff.
(Fadeaway World)
2020 was a year to forget for the Warriors.
The team lost their big three — Kevin Durant left, and Steph Curry and Klay Thompson missed the season due to injury.
The team finished with 15 wins, a 42 wins drop from the previous year, in which they were in their fifth consecutive final.
Conclusion
The NBA truly is a spectacular league, filled with action and excitement. So many players come and go, but only a few get to write their name in history by breaking one of the NBA records.
Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game or Charlotte Bobcats’ 7-win season might never be matched, while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring title is within Lebron James’ sight.
All we have to do is keep watching to see who’s next to have their name written in the records books.
FAQ
Who holds the NBA record for the most points scored in a single game?
Wilt Chamberlain holds the prestigious record with his 100 points in 1962. He averaged 50.4 points in that season.
Who holds the most NBA records?
Once again, Wilt Chamberlain tops the list.
It will take us a while to name all of his records. Still, some include NBA point record in a game, all-time rebounds, rebounds per game, most games with 50 points, shared record with Michael Jordan on scoring titles, and so much more.
Who is the best scorer of all time?
In terms of total points scored, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is No.1, with 38,387 points.
But when it comes to the point-per-game career average, the leader is none other than Michael Jordan, with 30.12.
Who is #1 in the NBA?
While people might have different opinions on who the best player is, we would look at the MVP award.
For the 2020–21 season, Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic won the prize. He averaged 26.4 points, 10.9 rebounds, 8.4 assists, and 1.32 steals per game. He’s also poised to secure the most lucrative NBA contract for the upcoming five-year period.
What NBA records does Steph Curry hold?
Steph Curry has changed the NBA and the movement to three-pointers. He’s achieved a few records as well. He’s the only player to win the MVP award with a unanimous vote.
He averaged 50.4% FG, 45.4% from threes, 90.8% FTM, and 30.1 PPG in that season, the only player to achieve those stats.
Also, Curry is the fastest player to reach 1,000 and 2,000 threes. He broke the record for most threes in a season on three occasions.
Who is the youngest NBA player to score 50 points?
Brandon Jennings is the youngest player to score 50 points. He achieved that while he was only 20 years and 52 days old.
Who has the most 80-point games in NBA history?
Only two players have achieved 80 points in a game.
Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in 1962, the record. Kobe Bryant is the other player with his 81 points in 2006.
