With Steph Curry just scoring over 50 points in a game for the second time in the 2016 NBA season and for the third time in just over a year, here is a list of the active NBA players who have scored 50 or more points in a game the most times. The list is current through February of the 2016 season.
Scoring 50 or more points in a NBA game is a milestone for most NBA fans and it’s the magic number that gets fans to notice a scoring night for a NBA player. Wilt Chamberlain holds the NBA record for most 50 point games with 114 in the regular season and four more in the playoffs for 118. Michael Jordan is second with 31 in the regular season and a record eight more in the playoffs for 39.
The third player is first on the list below of active NBA players with the most 50 point games. Hope you like the list. To make the list a player has to have at least two career 50 point games.
1. Kobe Bryant – 25 games of 50 or more points
Kobe Bryant is retiring after the 2016 season and he’s unlikely to ever score 50 points in a game again but he is still the active player with the most 50 point games. Kobe has scored 50 or more points in a game 24 times in the regular season and once in the playoffs for 25 total times.
Kobe Bryant’s personal best is 81 points in a game which he accomplished on January 22, 2006. That is the second most points ever scored by a player in a NBA game trailing just Wilt Chamberlain’s world famous 100 point NBA game.
In five of his twenty-five 50 point games, Kobe Bryant scored 60 or more points which also leads all active players and is tied with Michael Jordan for second all-time for 60 point games. Wilt Chamberlain leads the 60 point game list having accomplished the feat an amazing 32 times in the NBA.
2. LeBron James – 9
LeBron James is second on the active list of 50 point games with nine. On March 3, 2014, LeBron James scored 61 points in a NBA game which is his only 60 point game to date. He’s tied for second for most 60 point games among active players.
T-3. Stephen Curry – 4
As noted above, Steph Curry has two 50 point games in the 2016 NBA season. Curry also scored 51 points on February 4, 2015, and he scored a career best 54 points on February 27, 2014, at Madison Square Garden. His four 50 point NBA games ranks third among active players. He has a ways to go to catch LeBron for second place.
T-3. Carmelo Anthony – 4
Love him or hate him, there is no denying that Carmelo Anthony is a scorer in the NBA. Melo has two exactly 50 point games while playing for the Denver Nuggets and one exactly 50 point game for the Knicks. Melo also scored a career best 62 points for the New York Knicks on January 24, 2014. Kobe, LeBron and Melo are the only active NBA players who have scored 60 or more points in a game.
T-5. James Harden – 3
James Harden has twice scored exactly 50 points in a game including in the 2016 season on November 26, 2015. Harden poured in a career high 51 points in a game on April 4, 2015.
T-5. Dwyane Wade – 3
Twice in the 2009 season Dwyane Wade scored exactly 50 points in a NBA game. On April 12, 2009, Dwyane Wade poured in a career high 55 points.
T-7. Kevin Durant – 2
Kevin Durant scored 51 points in a game on February 19, 2012. Kevin Durant scored a career best 54 points on January 17, 2014, in a game vs Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
T-7. Kyrie Irving – 2
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving already has two career 50 point games in the NBA at the age of 23. On January 28, 2015, Kyrie Irving scored 55 points in a game and on March 12, 2015, Irving poured in a career high 57 points.
