NBA Players With The Most 40-Point Games For Every Franchise

• Vince Carter is the only player to lead more than one franchise in 40-point games

• Wilt Chamberlain is the NBA’s all-time leader in 40-point games with 271

• Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain are the only three players to record over 100 40-point games with one NBA franchise

A little over a week ago, we broke down every NBA team’s all-time leader in 30-point games. We unveiled some of the greatest scorers in NBA history and how they became some of the best scorers in the history of their respective teams. In 2023, 30-point games are beginning to happen at an increasingly more common rate. We realize that some of you may not be impressed by every NBA team’s leader in 30-point games so today, we take it a step further. 

Even with the increase in scoring and three-point volume, a 40-point game is just as impressive as it was 20 years ago, at least in my eyes. In 2022-23, Damian Lillard led the NBA with 15 40-point games while the all-time leader is Wilt Chamberlain with 271. Even from the most dominant of superstars in the NBA, a 40-point game is a rarity and is usually the result of a truly special performance that we will remember for a long time.

As we travel through the annals of NBA history today, many of these players will be ones you expected to see but don’t be shocked to find some surprises along the way. These are the NBA players with the most 40-point games from every NBA team.

Atlanta Hawks – Dominique Wilkins – 54 40-Point Games

Just as he is the Atlanta Hawks’ all-time leader in 30-point games, Dominique Wilkins also leads the franchise in 40-point performances. Wilkins did this in 12 seasons with Atlanta from 1983-1994 while averaging 26.4 points per game on 46.7% shooting overall. Wilkins would have his best season in 1987-88 when it comes to 40-point games. He recorded 15 such games that season while averaging 30.7 points per game on 46.4% shooting.

Wilkins holds the Hawks’ franchise lead over Bob Pettit who recorded 47 40-point games in his career. Trae Young ranks third in franchise history already with 29 such games in only five seasons of play.

At this rate, Young should pass Wilkins if he remains with the Hawks for five more seasons. Lou Hudson is the only other player with 20 or more 40-point games after Young. No other player has more than 15 40-point games for the team.

Boston Celtics – Larry Bird – 47 40-Point Games

Larry Bird is another franchise leader in 30-point games who also holds the Celtics’ title for 40-point games. Bird averaged 24.3 points per game over the course of his 13-year career with Boston while shooting 49.6% from the field.

In 1987-88, Bird, like Wilkins for the Hawks, would have the most 40-point games he ever had in a season with 11. That season, he would average 29.9 points per game on 52.7% shooting overall and 41.4% shooting from three.

Until 2022-23, Paul Pierce was second in Celtics history with 21 40-point games, but that is no longer the case. That spot now belongs to Jayson Tatum, who passed Pierce this last season with 22 career 40-point games. Still, Tatum has a lot of work to do over the next few years if he has any chance of catching Bird in this category, but we know it’s possible. Tatum has already surpassed Bird for the most 50-point games in Celtics history with five, so in a few years, we may be talking about Tatum as the greatest scorer in Celtics history.

Brooklyn Nets – Vince Carter – 17 40-Point Games

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkvdFmhgE8A

During the early 2000s, Vince Carter was the most electrifying player in the entire NBA. His dunk highlights and frequent feats of athleticism took the world by storm and had him on the verge of becoming the NBA’s next big superstar. In five seasons with the Nets from 2005 through 2009, Carter averaged 23.6 points per game while shooting 44.7% from the floor. In 2007, Carter recorded six 40-point games with New Jersey and averaged 25.2 points per game while playing all 82 games.

As for the other leaders in Nets’ history, I apologize in advance. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant rank second and third on the team with 14 and 10 40-point games, respectively. As for players currently with the team, Cam Thomas is their leader for now with four such games, while Mikal Bridges recorded three 40-point games in only 27 games played for the team in 2022-23.

It will only take longevity with the franchise to catch Carter’s record. Given the history of the Nets and keeping their players around for a while, it may not be so easy.

Charlotte Hornets – Kemba Walker – 16 40-Point Games

Kemba Walker holds most of the Charlotte Hornets’ scoring records in franchise history, including their all-time scoring record and most 30-point games. Well, we can also add the most 40-point games to that list, as Walker recorded 16 such games in eight seasons with the team from 2012 through 2019. In his 2019 All-NBA season, Walker had the most 40-point games in one year of his career with seven when he averaged 25.6 points per game while playing all 82 games.

Walker surpassed Glen Rice for the Hornets’ all-time lead in 40-point games, and he remains in second place with 10 40-point games. In a tie for third is current Charlotte guard Terry Rozier who has had just four 40-point games in the last four seasons he has been with the team.

It shouldn’t take much for a long-tenured Hornets player to pass Walker. I expect a player like LaMelo Ball or even Terry Rozier to challenge for this record before they leave.

Chicago Bulls – Michael Jordan – 165 40-Point Games

There is no member of the Chicago Bulls from any era within 100 miles of the franchise’s 40-point games record held by Michael Jordan. With 165 40-point games in a Bulls uniform, Jordan holds the first spot over Zach LaVine by 146 games of that caliber. This is no surprise coming from the greatest scorer that ever lived with 10 career scoring titles and a 30.1 points per game career scoring average. Jordan’s offensive output is legendary and further adds to the legacy of being the greatest player ever, along with six NBA championships and six Finals MVP awards.

Jordan won seven straight scoring titles from 1987 through 1993 with the Bulls before retiring for nearly two seasons, coming back, and winning three more from 1996 through 1998. In 1987, Jordan would have his most 40-point games in a season with 37 while averaging 37.1 points per game and shooting 48.2% from the field.

I do not foresee any player ever breaking this Chicago Bulls record in my lifetime. It took Zach LaVine six seasons to record 19 40-point games and take the second spot in Bulls history, even in a game like the modern-day NBA. In order for someone to challenge Jordan, they would have to have 16 40-point games every year for a decade while only being a member of the Chicago Bulls. Yeah, that’s how dominant Jordan was.

Cleveland Cavaliers – LeBron James – 51 40-Point Games

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR1_B2M4s6g

From 2004 through 2010 and again from 2015 through 2018, LeBron James became the greatest player in Cleveland Cavaliers history. He did this by doing a bit of everything on the court at an elite level which makes his scoring records even more ridiculous. James never focused on just being a scorer, and yet, he still holds the most scoring records in team history.

Of course, there were moments when he absolutely needed to be and took over games on the back of his ability to get to the rim or knock down tough shots. In 2005-06, James had the most 40-point games he ever had in a season with 10. He averaged 31.4 points per game that season and shot 48.0% from the field. In back-to-back MVP seasons in 2009 and 2010, James would record nine 40-point games in each of those seasons with the Cavaliers as well.

This is where things get interesting. LeBron holds the Cavaliers record with 51 40-point games. Donovan Mitchell has played exactly 68 games with the franchise and is already second with 13 40-point games. The 2022-23 season was his first in Cleveland, and he averaged 28.3 points per game on 48.4% shooting. If Mitchell were to keep that pace, it would take him just three more seasons to pass LeBron for the 40-point games record.

Dallas Mavericks – Luka Doncic – 29 40-Point Games

It took Luka Doncic just five seasons to begin to work his way to the top of the Mavericks franchise GOAT pyramid. Doncic has been an all-around showstopper for Dallas since entering the NBA in 2018-19. He has excelled as a playmaker, passer, and, most impressively, as a scorer.

Heading into the 2022-23 season, Luka Doncic had already recorded 15 career 40-point games in his first four seasons. In 2022-23, he nearly matched that total with 14 40-point games out of the 66 games he played in. Doncic would average a career-high 32.4 points per game on 49.6% shooting, another career-high for him on the year.

Being just 24 years old, Doncic is very clearly going to keep putting distance between himself and any other Mavericks player who dares challenge for this record. He has already left both Mark Aguirre (22 40-point games) and Dirk Nowitzki (20 40-point games) quickly in his rearview with nothing but daylight in front of him. It will be fascinating to see how large this record grows before he either leaves Dallas or retires down the line.

Denver Nuggets – Alex English – 33 40-Point Games

As it stands right now, in 2023, Alex English is still the Denver Nuggets’ all-time leader in points with 21,645. He was also their leader in 30-point games, with 273 over the course of 11 seasons played with the team from 1980 through 1990. English was one of the most prolific scorers in league history at his peak with Denver, and his spots at the top of the record books are proof of his dominance.

In the 1986 and 1987 seasons, English would record 14 of his 33 career 40-point games as a member of the Denver Nuggets. In 1986, he averaged 29.8 points per game on 50.4% shooting with eight 40-point games. In 1987, he averaged 28.6 points per game on 50.3% shooting with six 40-point games. This was all in the mindset of eight-straight 2,000-point seasons from 1982 through 1989.

As for English’s record, it is far from safe. The 2023 Finals MVP and two-time regular season MVP Nikola Jokic is hot on his trail. Through eight seasons, Jokic has already recorded 17 40-point games with the Nuggets and is just entering his prime at 28 years old. Assuming he remains in Denver for life, Jokic should easily take over their top spot for 40-point games when it is all said and done.

Detroit Pistons – Bob Lanier – 21 40-Point Games

As successful of a franchise as the Pistons have been in their history, they haven’t had the dominant scorers to sit atop this list outside of Bob Lanier. Sure, Isiah Thomas could score when he needed to, and so too could Joe Dumars. None did it with the consistency of Lanier, though.

Lanier played for the Pistons for 10 seasons from 1971-1980, averaging 22.7 points per game on 50.8% shooting during that time. His best season when it came to 40-point games was the 1972-73 season, when he recorded five 40-point games and averaged 23.8 points per game. Lanier would average 21.0 points per game or better in every season with Detroit outside of his rookie year in 1971.

Dave Bing and Joe Dumars rank second in Pistons history with 14 40-point games, while Thomas ranks seventh with seven. There are no current Pistons players with a 40-point game in their uniform, an unsatisfactory tradition that continues to plague a franchise in search of their next great scorer. Is Cade Cunningham the answer? Could Jalen Duren or Jaden Ivey take that leap into stardom? I know the people of Detroit sure hope so.

Golden State Warriors – Wilt Chamberlain – 235 40-Point Games

This is one of those stats that makes Wilt Chamberlain look like a Greek God rather than a basketball player. In just six seasons with the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors in his career, Wilt Chamberlain recorded 235 40-point games. That means he nearly averaged 40 40-point games per season. Remember what I said about Damian Lillard leading the NBA with 15 40-point games in 2022-23?

I guess it is no surprise for a player who once averaged over 50.0 points per game in a season in 1962. That year, Wilt was unstoppable as he recorded a whopping 63 40-point games out of the 80 games he played. Oh, and he led the NBA in minutes played with 48.5 minutes. That is longer than an official regulation NBA game, and he averaged it.

No other player in Warriors history has even 100 40-point games in the history of the Golden State Warriors. At this point, the race is for second place, with Rick Barry holding a slight edge over Stephen Curry, 70-62. Even if you consider Curry the greatest scorer in team history, there is no possible way he catches Chamberlain before he ultimately retires from the game. This is what we mean when we say that Wilt Chamberlain was truly a player, the likes of which we will never see again.

Houston Rockets – James Harden – 98 40-Point Games

At his peak with the Houston Rockets, James Harden would become one of the best scorers in NBA history over the course of eight and a half seasons. In 2016, Harden would average 29.0 points per game and, from that point forward, would not average less than that until he was wearing another uniform during the 2020-21 season. Harden would win three straight scoring titles along with an MVP from 2018 through 2020 averaging 33.7 points per game over that span.

In 2019 and 2020, Harden would record exactly half of his 98 career 40-point games with the Rockets. He would record 28 40-point games in 2019 while averaging a career-high 36.1 points per game on 44.2% shooting overall and 36.8% from three. He followed that up in 2020 with 21 40-point games while averaging 34.3 points per game on 44.4% shooting overall and 35.5% from three.

Harden’s 98 40-point games with the Rockets rank well ahead of Hakeem Olajuwon, who is in second with 32. As far as current players go, there is a long way to go for youngster Jalen Green who is 93 games behind Harden with five career 40-point games in two seasons with Houston. It is fair to say that it will be a long time before we talk about a player other than James Harden having the most 40-point games in Houston Rockets history.

Indiana Pacers – Reggie Miller – 9 40-Point Games

Yes, you are reading that right. Reggie Miller leads all players in Indiana Pacers history with just nine career 40-point games. Miller played his entire 18-year career with the Pacers, which means, on average, he recorded a 40-point game once every two seasons. As one of the greatest three-point shooters ever, it didn’t take much for Miller to get going and approach the 40-point mark. He just didn’t do it that often.

Miller would only record multiple 40-point games during the 1989-90 and 1995-96 seasons, with two games each. His career-high in scoring came during that 1989-90 season when he averaged 24.6 points per game, shooting 51.4% overall and 41.4% from three. While Miller’s record remains obtainable for any player who puts in time with the franchise, consider the fact that Myles Turner is their closest active player with two 40-point games, and Tyrese Haliburton has one.

Los Angeles Clippers – Bob McAdoo – 48 40-Point Games

Bob McAdoo leads the Los Angeles Clippers with 156 30-point games as well as 48 40-point games. Mcadoo played for just four and a half seasons with the Buffalo Braves but was as dominant as anyone during that time. From 1974 through 1976, McAdoo won three straight scoring titles averaging 32.1 points per game on 51.4% shooting over that stretch.

During the 1975 and 1976 seasons combined, McAdoo would record 36 of his 48 career 40-point games with the Clippers. In 1975, McAdoo would have 21 40-point games while averaging 34.5 points per game, a career-high. He followed that up in 1976 with 15 40-point games averaging 31.1 points per game.

As it stands, McAdoo’s Clippers record for 40-point games is in no danger of being broken. Over the last four seasons, Paul George leads all active Clippers with six total 40-point games, and his teammate Kawhi Leonard has recorded four. Given both their injury history and the uncertainty surrounding their futures with the team, I highly doubt either of them even challenges McAdoo’s record.

Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant – 122 40-Point Games

Kobe Bryant is the Los Angeles Lakers all-time leader in 40-point games with 122. Over the course of 20 seasons, Bryant became their all-time leader in 30-point games, 40-point games, and total career points, and ranks top five in NBA history in total career points with 33,643 points. Along with the five NBA championships, two Finals MVPs, and the MVP award Bryant won, he also took home two scoring titles and averaged at least 30.0 points per game in a season three times.

Of all the seasons that Bryant put forth, the 2005-06 season was his most legendary individually. That season, Bryant would record 27 40-point games while averaging a career-high 35.4 points per game on 45.0% shooting. During those 27 games, Bryant averaged 46.0 points per game and completely shredded every opponent he faced that season.

Kobe Bryant’s 40-point game record is comfortably his for the foreseeable future. He holds the record by 34 40-point games over Elgin Baylor, with LeBron James and Anthony Davis being the only active players among the top 10. James has just 13 40-point games in his Lakers career, and Anthony Davis also has nine such games, but neither will finish their careers as a challenger to Kobe’s 122 games with at least 40 points.

Memphis Grizzlies – Ja Morant – 8 40-Point Games

One of the most surprising facts that will come from this information presented today is the fact that Ja Morant, just four seasons into his career, is already the clear-cut leader in 40-point games for the Memphis Grizzlies. With eight 40-point games in four seasons, Morant is comfortably in front of Jaren Jackson Jr., Pau Gasol, and Mike Miller, who each have two 40-point games in their Grizzlies career.

All this means is that Morant has the chance to keep building on his record as he turns just 24 years old heading into the 2023-24 season. Despite the off-court troubles that will sideline him for 25 games to begin 2023-24, it should take no time for him to find his groove and get right back to being the scoring machine he is, especially if he returns to his form from 2021-22. That season, he had six of his eight career 40-point games, won Most Improved Player, and averaged 27.4 points per game on 49.3% shooting.

Miami Heat – Dwyane Wade – 34 40-Point Games

Dwyane Wade is widely regarded as the greatest player in Miami Heat history. Years before LeBron James and Chris Bosh showed up to form one of the first modern-day Big Threes, Wade had already led the Heat to their first NBA championship with near-MVP numbers and production. Wade’s 34 40-point games in a Heat uniform rank first all-time by 24 games over LeBron James. No other Miami player has more than five such games.

Wade had his most productive season in 2008-09 when he recorded 13 of his 34 career 40-point games with the Miami Heat. That season, Wade would average 30.2 points per game on 49.1% shooting. He took home the only scoring title of his career that season as well. You may be shocked to learn that no current Miami Heat player has even recorded a 40-point game other than Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo.

Jimmy Butler has yet to record a 40-point game with the Heat during the regular season, even though he has eight in his Miami Heat playoff career. As long as Butler’s dominance is held to playoff time, Wade’s record should stand for quite a while. Unless, of course, the long-awaited Damian Lillard trade goes through.

Milwaukee Bucks – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 55 40-Point Games

While Giannis Antetokounmpo easily took home the record for most 30-point games in Bucks franchise history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar still has one franchise record to his name, for now. Kareem played the first six seasons in the NBA with Milwaukee from 1970 through 1975, where he would win an NBA title, Finals MVP, three MVPs, and two scoring titles.

During the 1971-72 season with the Bucks, Kareem would record 19 40-point games while averaging a career-high 34.8 points per game and shooting 57.4% from the field. Kareem would add seven more 40-point games in each of the 1973 and 1975 seasons as well. 

For now, Giannis Antetokounmpo sits just 14 40-point games behind Kareem for the all-time lead in Bucks history, a feat that, with as good as Giannis looks these days, could be reached by the end of the 2023-24 season. Giannis is the only other player in Bucks history with at least 15 40-point games in his career.

Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl-Anthony Towns – 11 40-Point Games

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j13RwQ8yO0

As surprising as it may be, Karl-Anthony Towns is both the Timberwolves’ all-time leader in 30-point and 40-point games. Over the last eight seasons, Towns has recorded 11 40-point games. He passed Kevin Love for Minnesota’s all-time lead back in March 2022 with a monster 60-point performance in which he shot 61.3% overall and 7-11 from three.

Towns would collect three 40-point games in each of the 2017 and 2019 seasons as well as two more during the 2021-22 campaign. He has averaged 23.0 points per game for his career, all of which has been spent with Minnesota since 2015-16.

Towns cannot afford to let up when it comes to his 40-point performances if he wishes to hold his record for much longer. Teammate Anthony Edwards has already recorded six such games in just three seasons, with three of them coming in 2021-22.

New Orleans Pelicans – Anthony Davis – 30 40-Point Games

It truly is amazing how much Anthony Davis dominated the record books for the New Orleans Pelicans in just seven seasons with the team. During that time, Davis averaged 23.7 points per game on 51.7% shooting. Most of the damage he did as a scorer came toward the end of his stint in New Orleans, which he carried over with him to Los Angeles.

In 2017 and 2018, Davis would record back-to-back seasons with eight 40-point games. In 2017, he averaged 28.0 points per game, and in 2018, he averaged 28.1 points per game. It is no surprise that in the seasons in which he hit his career-high in 40-point games, he also hit his career-high in scoring for a single season.

Of all the current Pelicans players, only Brandon Ingram is worth mentioning when it comes to 40-point games. Believe it or not, Ingram’s five 40-point games rank tied for second with Chris Paul and David West in Pelicans history. If Zion Williamson could remain healthy, there is no doubt in my mind that he could have already been on his way to breaking this record. For now, the only hope of seeing Davis’ record fall is for Ingram to have one of his best seasons yet in 2023-24.

New York Knicks – Patrick Ewing – 30 40-Point Games

With such a long and illustrious history, it actually shocked me to find out that 30 40-point games from Patrick Ewing were enough to lead the franchise by a decent margin. Ewing graced Madison Square Garden for 15 seasons with the Knicks from 1986 through 2000. During those 15 seasons, he averaged 22.8 points per game while shooting 50.8% from the floor.

Of all the fantastic offensive seasons that Ewing had, the 1989-90 season was his best as a scorer. He would record himself 13 40-point games that year with a career-high 28.6 points per game on 55.1% shooting. He would never have another season with more than four 40-point games.

As for current Knicks players, Julius Randle remains the only one with a chance to catch Ewing in the coming seasons. Randle has recorded nine 40-point games since joining the Knicks in 2019-20. Randle has averaged 22.3 points per game over four years in New York. Now, it will just be about how long he remains with the team, and if it will be enough to approach Ewing’s 40-point game record.

Oklahoma City Thunder – Kevin Durant – 46 40-Point Games

The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 40-point games record is the closest race so far on our list. Kevin Durant, who won four scoring titles, holds a slim lead with 46 40-point games in his Oklahoma City career. Durant averaged 27.4 points per game over nine years with the Thunder from 2008 through 2016 as he won an MVP and was just shy of being a 50/40/90 player.

The best season Durant had with the Thunder as a scorer came during his 2014 MVP season. That year, he would record 14 40-point games while averaging a league-leading 32.0 points per game on 50.3% shooting overall. Settling just behind Durant in second place in Thunder history for 40-point games is Russell Westbrook, with 43 such games in 11 seasons with the team.

Current budding superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is slowly approaching Durant’s record with seven 40-point games in his short Thunder career. In 2022-23, Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 31.4 points per game, a career-high, and six of those 40-point games. If he keeps trending in this direction, we could see Durant dethroned within the next five or six seasons.

Orlando Magic – Tracy McGrady – 30 40-Point Games

When it comes to offensively-gifted players during the 2000s, few were as elegant to watch yet dominant at their job as Tracy McGrady was with the Orlando Magic. McGrady played just four seasons with the Magic from 2001 through 2004 and averaged 28.1 points per game over that time. He would win back-to-back scoring titles in 2003 and 2004, averaging 32.1 and 28.0 points per game, respectively.

In 2003, McGrady would record 11 of his 30 40-point games with Orlando and added another eight 40-point games in 2004. McGrady’s 30 40-point games in just four years are one of the more impressive feats on this entire list. As for the Magic today, not a single one of their active players has ever had a 40-point game. This comes as no surprise considering the Magic have geared toward a younger and more youthful approach in their team construction. Something tells me Paolo Banhcero will be toward the top of this list once his career is through, though.

Philadelphia 76ers – Allen Iverson – 76 40-Point Games

In a shocking revelation on this particular list, we have found a scoring record that Wilt Chamberlain does not hold for a franchise he played for. That’s right, Chamberlain’s 31 40-point games as a Sixer actually rank third and come nowhere near Allen Iverson’s franchise-leading 76 40-point performances. Iverson was a scoring machine with the Sixers who won four scoring titles, an MVP award, and averaged 27.6 points per game over the course of 12 seasons with the team.

During his 2001 MVP season, Iverson poured out 17 40-point games while averaging a league-leading 31.1 points per game. In 2006, Iverson would add 16 more 40-point games while averaging 33.0 points per game on the season as well. In just two seasons, Iverson passed Chamberlain for the Sixers’ record.

Joel Embiid, the 2021 and 2022 scoring champ, ranks second in Sixers history with 39 40-point games over the last seven seasons with the team. In 2022 and 2023, Embiid had 13 40-point games in each season, which means three more seasons of that output would pass Iverson for sole possession of first-place in 76ers history.

Phoenix Suns – Devin Booker – 25 40-Point Games

I never realized how much the Phoenix Suns lacked a true scorer in their franchise’s history until I took a look at their record-holders for most 40-point games. Devin Booker is already the leading 40-point scorer in Phoenix history, with 25 such games over the course of the last eight seasons with the team. During those eight years, Booker has averaged a smooth 23.9 points per game while shooting the ball at 46.1% overall.

Booker holds the record by eight games over Amar’e Stoudemire for now as he continues to enter the best years of his career. None of his current teammates have had a single 40-point game while wearing a Suns uniform which is bound to change with the arrival of Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. As long as Booker remains with the team, however, it looks as if they will keep chasing him no matter how long they stay with him in the desert.

Portland Trail Blazers – Damian Lillard – 55 40-Point Games

Yeah, this one is about as obvious as it gets. It is one of the NBA’s worst-kept secrets that Damian Lillard is the greatest scorer in the history of the Portland Trail Blazers franchise. He is their all-time leading scorer as well as a three-point shooter and overall point guard. Lillard has been with the team for 11 seasons and has averaged 25.2 points per game on 43.9% shooting overall and 37.2% from three.

In 2022-23, Lillard led the entire NBA with 15 40-point games, which also was a personal best for him in his career. He averaged a career-high 32.2 points per game this past season on 46.3% shooting. If he remains with the team, this record will only continue to grow as they head toward the future. However, with his upcoming trade request, this number could be the final tally for Lillard in his Portland career. Who will step up once Lillard is gone to challenge his 40-point game record?

Sacramento Kings – Oscar Robertson – 77 40-Point Games

If anyone is a true fan of the Sacramento Kings franchise, then the fact that Oscar Robertson is the Kings’ all-time leader in, well, just about everything should not surprise you. Robertson is one of the most complete players in NBA history, which was on full display for 10 seasons from 1961 through 1970 with the team. Over those 10 years, Oscar averaged 29.3 points per game and recorded 77 40-point games to his name, giving him the Kings’ record by a long shot.

Robertson owns that record by 40 games over the great Tiny Archibald, who had 37 40-point games in his Kings career. Oscar’s best scoring season would come in 1966 with 12 40-point games, and his 1964 MVP season with 11 40-point games while averaging 31.4 points per game.

De’Aaron Fox is tied for fourth in Kings history with six 40-point games, which should tell you how unobtainable Robertson’s record just may be. While Fox is still young, it will take a serious amount of work to record the 72 more 40-point games it would take to reach and pass Oscar. I do not deny that Fi is capable of doing such damage, but it will take a truly extraordinary few seasons to match up with one of the best players in NBA history.

San Antonio Spurs – George Gervin – 67 40-Point Games

No other scorer in San Antonio Spurs history comes close to putting up the numbers that George Gervin did with the team from 1977 through 1985 with the team. Gervin was the winner of four NBA scoring titles during this time while averaging 27.3 points per game on 51.4% shooting overall. Gervin’s raw athleticism and touch on the ball gave him a firm upper hand over his competition.

Gervin has absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to his record, possibly falling for 40-point games in Spurs history. David Robinson sits a long way away in second place with 22 40-point games, while Mike Mitchell sits in third with 10. Isay that The Iceman only starts to get nervous as Victor Wembanyama’s career continues to progress over the years because right now, he is the only one with any shit of catching Gervin.

Toronto Raptors – Vince Carter – 14 40-Point Games

In the grand scheme of things, the Toronto Raptors have had a pretty mediocre history when it comes to great scorers representing them. Vince Carter has not played in Toronto for 19 years yet still remains their all-time leader in 40-point games with just 14. DeMar DeRozan was the closest to dethroning Carter with 13 such games, but that fell apart once he was dealt to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard. Of course, Toronto fans aren’t complaining.

Carter would average 23.4 points per game over seven seasons with the Raptors before being shipped to the Nets in 2005. He is the only player on this list to appear for more than one NBA franchise. As for current players hoping to make their way to the top of this list, Pascal Siakam remains the closest with five 40-point games in his seven seasons with the team. At this rate, 14 40-point games might just remain the record forever.

Utah Jazz – Adrian Dantley – 49 40-Point Games

Another surprise on this list, as we near the end of it, is the fact that Adrian Dantley leads the Utah Jazz with 49 40-point games and not Karl Malone, who is the NBA’s third all-time leading scorer. Dantley played with the Jazz from 1980 through 1986 and won two scoring titles while averaging 29.6 points per game overall. Dantley was never able to get the Jazz to the next level, but he was a joy to watch put the ball through the hoop.

Dantley’s best season with the Jazz in terms of scoring came in 2081-82. That season, Dantley would average 30.3 points per game in 81 games played while recording 13 of his 49 40-point games with the Jazz. Malone did give him a run for his money with 44 40-point games over 18 seasons but fell just shy of reaching Dantley’s mark. Current star Lauri Markkanen would have three 40-point games in his first season with the team in 2022-23, which ranks him fifth in franchise history on the list of players with 40-point games.

Washington Wizards – Bradley Beal – 30 40-Point Games

Over the course of the existence of the Washington Bullets/Wizards, the torch has been passed on from great scorers to great scorers through the years. First, it was Walt Bellamy who held the record with 23 40-point games. During the 2000s, Gilbert Arenas snatched that record away with 28 40-point games. Then, during the 2010s, Bradley Beal came around and took it from Arenas with 30 40-point games in 11 seasons in Washington.

While Arenas was arguably their best scorer at his peak, Beal was not too far off. In 11 years with the Wizards, he averaged 22.1 points per game and had two seasons in which he averaged over 30.0 points per game in 2020 and 2021. Over those two seasons combined, Beal recorded 18 of his 30 career 40-point games with Washington, meaning he had just 12 over the other nine seasons.

Only one active player for the Wizards has ever had a 40-point game wearing their uniform, which would be Kyle Kuzma, with one such performance in his career. With Beal sitting 29 games ahead of him, he can confidently hold onto the record for the foreseeable future. Could any other Wizards player give Beal a scare and begin to rattle off some 40-point games?

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