Which current player has best chance to score 100?
Periodically, NBA.com’s writers will weigh in on key storylines or trending topics around the league.
Following the league’s recent scoring spree, do you think a player will ever reach Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA-record 100 points in a game?
Steve Aschburner
Ever? As in never? C’mon, there are only two ways this won’t happen: Either no player now or in the future will be capable of scoring 100 points in a game or no one will dare to do it. The first possibility seems unlikely, given modern training, athletic ability, nutrition, travel, 3-pointers vs. 2-pointers and current defense-hobbling rules. The second suggests a reverence toward Chamberlain, one of the NBA’s greatest who played the so-called right way … none of which will deter anyone. Sports records fall.
If it were to happen: It wouldn’t rise organically out of pure competition. The remarkable nights of Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant (81) took on lives of their own as their points piled up.
Brian Martin
I still say no, but that answer is tougher to give today than ever before. Today’s players have the talent to do it, especially with the 3-point shot, but the top of this scoring spree — 73 points — is not even 3/4 of the way to Wilt’s 100. Luka Doncic would have needed 27 more points — only 10 players average that much in an entire game this season. Kobe’s 81, on the other hand, is in play.
If it were to happen: It would be a player like Doncic, who can create his own offense, get hot from 3, draw fouls and make free throws. It has to be a close game, and likely needs at least one overtime, to get his minutes to 48-plus. Sometimes team success is the detriment to history. See Klay Thompson’s 60 points in 29 minutes when he sat in the fourth quarter with the game in hand.
Shaun Powell
Yes. Because with very few exceptions — such as a player playing all 82 games and averaging 48.5 minutes per, as Wilt did — few records last forever. And also because the game today will allow it. With a spaced floor, touch fouls, 3-point shooting and an emphasis on isolation, a scorer on a hot night will get it. If Michael Jordan played today, he’d get it.
If it were to happen: At least we’d have video. It won’t be restricted to 4,000 fans inside a small arena in Hershey, Pa. But the 100-point player will surely write his total on a white sheet of paper anyway for the photo op.
John Schuhmann
I would never say “never,” but there’s still a huge gap between the 73 points that Luka Doncic scored on Friday and Chamberlain’s 100. With the incredible amount of talent in the league and the spacing offenses play with, the potential for huge scoring nights is certainly there. But defenses can still slow guys down by sending double-teams at players who are impossible to stop otherwise.
If it were to happen: It would have to be somebody who can score over or through double-teams and shoot from long distance. Victor Wembanyama, who is averaging 34.2 points per 36 minutes over his last 11 games, might be the best candidate among players in the league right now.
Michael C. Wright
Absolutely, it’s happening. The collective skill set of the players continues to grow tremendously at a rapid pace. Besides, the NBA’s rules will always be structured in ways to keep the fans in their seats and in front of televisions, which means more offense and scoring, and fewer regulations tilted toward defenders.
If it were to happen: It would conjure memories of Chamberlain because it’s likely a big man surpasses this seemingly unbreakable record. Victor Wembanyama has given us all an early glimpse into a future that will feature uber-skilled bigs who can shoot the deep ball. More are on the way.
