Across decades of NBA scoring evolution, few benchmarks carry the weight of a 40-point game. Only a handful of players have reached that threshold often enough to define eras, styles, and legacies. Using StatMuse’s numbers, here’s a 15-to-1 countdown of the players with the most 40-point games in league history.
15. Damian Lillard – 60
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) looks on in the first quarter during game four against the Indiana Pacers of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Lillard left the game early in the in the first quarter with an injury. Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Lillard’s 60 forty-point outings total 2,713 points, averaging about 45 per game. These performances feature over six made threes per night, free-throw accuracy above 92 percent, and nearly five rebounds and seven assists in roughly 39 minutes. His production stretches defenses far beyond the arc.
14. Jerry West – 66
Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jerry West (44) moves past San Francisco Warriors guard Jim King (21) and Nate Thurmond (42) at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
West recorded 66 games with at least 40 points, producing 2,891 total points and averaging roughly 44 per game. He logged heavy minutes and excelled at the free-throw line, reflecting his role as a high-volume scorer in an era before three-pointers reshaped offensive spacing.
13. George Gervin – 68
February 24, 2012; Orlando FL, USA; Former player George Iceman Gervin attends the NBA Hall of Fame press conference at the Hilton Orlando. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Gervin’s 68 forty-point efforts totaled 2,982 points, averaging about 44 per game. His efficiency stood out: nearly 59 percent from the field and over 85 percent at the line. Across about 40 minutes, he added around five rebounds and three assists, with his signature smooth midrange game driving most of the damage.
12. Rick Barry – 70
March 10, 1973; Atlanta, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Golden State Warriors forward Rick Barry (24) in action against the Atlanta Hawks at The Omni. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Barry logged 70 games of 40-plus points, reaching 3,165 total and just over 45 per outing. He routinely earned trips to the line, more than 10 makes per game, and paired that scoring with over eight rebounds and five assists. His production came from all over the floor.
11. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 70
Unknown date, 1968 & location, USA: FILE PHOTO; UCLA Bruins center Lew Alcindor (33) later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in action against the North Carolina Tar Heels. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
Abdul-Jabbar’s 70 forty-point games produced 3,073 points, fueled by inside scoring and the skyhook. He played nearly 44 minutes per contest and paired efficient shooting with steady rebounding and rim protection, showing his full two-way impact in these performances.
10. Kevin Durant – 72
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) smiles on the court during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Toyota Center. Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Durant’s 72 games of 40-plus points add up to 3,143 points and about 44 per game. His efficiency is striking, around 57 percent from the field, nearly 49 percent from three, and close to 90 percent from the line. He also contributes eight rebounds and four to five assists across more than 41 minutes.
9. Stephen Curry – 74
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots a three-pointer against the Houston Rockets in the second quarter at Chase Center. Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images
Curry has 74 forty-point games, totaling 3,352 points and averaging 45.3 per outing. He hits nearly 8.5 threes per game at about 56 percent from deep, while shooting almost 59 percent overall. Along with the scoring surge, he adds roughly five rebounds and six assists in 36 minutes.
8. Oscar Robertson – 77
1955; Indianapolis, IN, USA; FILE PHOTO;Oscar Robertson is one of the state’s basketball icons, leading the Tigers to the 1955 and ’56 state titles and being named Mr. Basketball. Mandatory Credit: Wayne Kellyr- USA TODAY NETWORK
Robertson’s 77 games of 40-plus points accumulated 3,288 total points, averaging over 42 per game. These outings mirror his reputation for balance, as his scoring came with impactful rebounding and playmaking, numbers consistent with one of basketball’s earliest triple-double forces.
7. Allen Iverson – 79
Memphis Grizzlies guard Allen Iverson (3) smiles during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Iverson’s 79 forty-point games produced 3,507 points, averaging 44.4 per game. He took around 30 shots a night and added more than six assists and over two steals, all while playing nearly 45 minutes. His ability to carry an offense despite his size defined these performances.
6. LeBron James – 79
Nov 18, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
James’ 79 games with 40-plus points total 3,517 points, averaging 44.5 per outing. Alongside the scoring, he contributes nearly nine rebounds and just over seven assists while shooting about 59 percent from the field and 51 percent from three. He plays more than 41 minutes in these games, impacting every area of play.
5. Elgin Baylor – 88
Los Angeles Lakers forward Elgin Baylor (22) is guarded St. Louis Hawks forward Bill Bridges (32) at the Forum. Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Baylor’s 88 forty-point performances produced 3,995 points, roughly 45 per game. He paired his scoring with strong rebounding, over 11 boards a night, while operating entirely without the benefit of a three-point line. His blend of power and finesse set him apart in the 1960s.
4. James Harden – 107
Jan 24, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden (13) brings the ball up the court during the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Harden’s 107 games of 40-plus points total 4,854 points, averaging 45.4 per game. Step-back threes, around five to six makes per outing, combine with high free-throw volume and steady playmaking. He adds more than seven rebounds and eight assists in close to 40 minutes.
3. Kobe Bryant – 122
Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) salutes the crowd reaction as he exits the game for the last time in Canada against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Lakers 102-93. Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Bryant’s 122 forty-point games produced 5,501 points, averaging 45.1 per affair. He attempted around 30 shots on these nights, yet still shot over 51 percent from the field and nearly 44 percent from three. He also added around six rebounds and four assists in these high-usage performances.
2. Michael Jordan – 173
Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (23), right, is guarded by Indiana Pacers player Reggie Miller (31) in the second half at the United Center. Credit: Anne Ryan-USA TODAY
Jordan’s 173 games of 40-plus points amassed 7,813 total points, averaging 45.2 per game. He shot over 57 percent from the field and combined that scoring with roughly 6.5 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and nearly three steals while playing more than 41 minutes. These were often two-way showcases.
1. Wilt Chamberlain – 271
Unknown date; Los Angeles, CA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Los Angeles Lakers center Wilt Chamberlain (13) is defended by San Francisco Warriors center Nate Thurmond (42) and Joe Ellis (31) at The Forum. Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports
Chamberlain’s 271 forty-point games remain unmatched, totaling 13,458 points and averaging 49.7 per performance. He added more than 20 rebounds a night and played nearly 50 minutes, dominating scoring and the glass in a way that sets his record apart from anything seen since.
Final WhistleNov 18, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the Utah Jazz in the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
These 40-point milestones trace the history of elite NBA scoring; from midrange masters and skyhook specialists to deep-range stars who stretch defenses beyond their limits. Each player shaped the game in a different way, but Wilt’s total still towers over the field, a reminder of one of the sport’s most unshakeable records.