Basketball fans around the world know that the NBA is home to some of the most exciting and talented athletes in the world. From high-flying dunks to clutch three-pointers, the NBA has provided us with countless memorable moments over the years.
But have you ever noticed how some players seem to have an extra special game on their birthday? In this article, we’re going to take a look at the five highest-scoring NBA games on birthdays.
From LeBron James’ 48-point game on his 25th birthday to Shaquille O’Neal’s 61-point explosion on his 28th, we’ll break down the most impressive performances on a player’s special day. So sit back, relax, and join us as we celebrate some of the greatest individual performances in NBA history.
Honorable Mention
Michael Jordan – 46 Points
We start our list with an honorable mention, and it’s the G.O.A.T., Michael Jordan. Back in 1992, on Jordan’s 29th birthday, he gave the best birthday performance of his career.
Jordan’s birthday is February 17, and in 1992, the Bulls played their rivals at the time, the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jordan had many great performances against the Cavs in the past, including his “The Shot” game-winner to end their 1989 opening-round series vs. Cleveland in Game 5 and scoring his career-high 69 in 1990.
So, it’s fitting that Jordan would have his highest-scoring birthday game against the Cavs, where he scored 46 points on 21-32 shooting while adding 4 rebounds and 6 assists. The Bulls would lose by one, as the Cavs won 113-112, with Pippen missing a game-winning shot.
It would have been so nice to see Jordan take the game-winning shot on his birthday, but the Cavs knew Jordan wanted the ball and successfully prevented it. Still, it was a good game overall for Jordan and a year, as the Bulls and Jordan would win their second straight championship.
T5. Stephen Curry – 47 Points
The greatest shooter who’s ever lived makes our list, which shouldn’t surprise anyone. When you can shoot like Curry, you can store a lot of points. On Curry’s 34th birthday, which was March 14, 2022, Curry dropped 47 points on the Washington Wizards.
Yes, Curry wanted to celebrate in style on his 34th birthday, and the poor Wizards would have to pay for it. Curry shot 16-25 from the field, including 7-14 from three en route to his 47 points. He also added 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
In the end, the Warriors walked away as the winner, as the final score read 126-112 in favor of Golden State. This performance by Curry was incredible, but it only has him tied at the fifth spot for the most points scored on a birthday by a player.
T5. LeBron James – 47 Points
LeBron James is a player like we’ve never seen before. The older he gets, the better LeBron appears to be as a basketball player.
LeBron has one of the sharpest minds in all of basketball history, but what’s most remarkable is how his physical gifts seemingly have not faded, even though he is now 38 years old.
Speaking of 38 years old, on his 38th birthday, which was December 30, 2022, LeBron scored 47 points in a 130-121 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.
It appeared that LeBron could do whatever he wanted on the floor, and no player, even if they were younger, could stop him. LeBron shot 18-27 from the field, including 4-6 from three, while adding 10 rebounds and 9 assists.
Not a bad way to celebrate your birthday, eh?
3. LeBron James – 48 Points
LeBron James makes our list once again, this time for the performance he gave us on his 25th birthday. The game was played on December 30th, 2009, and it was between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwC3O4LLJsI
This time LeBron scored 48 points on 15-23 shooting, including 4-6 from three. LeBron added 10 rebounds and 6 assists in this contest.
The Cavs won the game 106-101, and I think a lesson has been learned here: if you’re the Atlanta Hawks, don’t play LeBron James on his birthday.
2. Dominique Wilkins – 53 Points
Dominique Wilkins, otherwise known as “The Human Highlight Film” was one of the fiercest scorers and dunkers the game of basketball has ever seen. Most people remember Wilkins for his Slam Dunk Contest battles with Michael Jordan, but Wilkins has many other great performances, like what he did on his 27th birthday.
wishing dominique wilkins a happy birthday!
on this day (1987) he dropped 53 points against the clippers#TrueToAtlanta pic.twitter.com/Qp5ujCHmbB
— zach (@zachcronin0) January 12, 2018
Wilkins and his Atlanta Hawks played the Los Angeles Clippers on January 12th, 1987, which was Wilkins’ 27th birthday, and he wanted to put on a show. The Hawks won 125-115 behind Wilkins’ incredible 53 points.
Wilkins shot 19-25 from the field, including going 14-19 from the free throw line. On top of his scoring, Wilkins added 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 3 blocks. Not a bad way to celebrate your birthday, I must say.
1. Shaquille O’Neal – 61 Points
The best scoring game a player has ever had on their birthday belongs to nonother than the most dominant big man the game has ever seen. That’s right. I’m talking about Shaquille O’Neal.
The 1999-00 season was easily Shaq’s best season of his career. He won his first title, his first MVP, and his second and final scoring title. On top of that, he gave the most iconic birthday performance against his team’s cross-city rivals.
The Los Angeles Lakers played the Los Angeles Clippers, and unlike today where the Clippers appear to have the Lakers number, the Lakers always destroyed them in the 90s and early 00s. The date was March 6, 2000, and Shaq was celebrating his 28th birthday, and he wanted the city of Los Angeles to celebrate with him.
In this game, the Clippers were technically the home team, but that didn’t stop Lakers fans from filling the stands. And it was a good thing they did.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qlwXWBsIc8
Shaq scored 61 points in the game, his career-high. The big fella shot 24-35 from the field and 13-22 from the free throw line. To go along with his incredible scoring, Shaq added 23 rebounds.
In the end, Shaq led the Lakers to a 123-103 victory, and it was the Lakers’ 50th win of the season, as well. There’s never been a better birthday performance by a player than Shaquille O’Neal.
Overall, birthdays in the NBA are a fun and exciting aspect of the sport. Fans look forward to seeing players put on a show on their special day, and players are motivated to perform at a high level.
So, the next time you watch an NBA game on a player’s birthday, you’ll know that there’s a good chance you’ll witness something special.
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