A Record That May Never Be Broken

On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain etched his name into basketball lore, scoring 100 points in a single NBA game for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks. The Warriors won the game 169-147. This monumental achievement remains the NBA’s single-game scoring record, a mark many believe will never be surpassed.

The Game That Few Saw

Remarkably, this historic game was not televised. Only a single photographer was present to document the event, and just smaller audio snippets from the final quarter exist today.

The lack of coverage wasn’t due to a lack of interest in Chamberlain, but rather a reflection of the NBA’s place in the American sports landscape at the time. In 1962, the NBA was still in its infancy. College basketball held greater prominence, and the NBA struggled for national attention.

no member of the New York press made the trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania, where the Warriors played some of their home games to attract larger crowds. Press representatives were more focused on spring training for baseball teams like the Yankees and the Mets.

A Night of Unusual Circumstances

The game unfolded under somewhat unusual circumstances. The Knicks were the worst team in the league at the time, with a record of 27-45. Chamberlain himself preferred to party the night before in New York with a woman he brought home at 6 a.m. He then took the train to Philadelphia and had a long hangover breakfast with some friends before the game.

Chamberlain’s Dominance

With New York’s starting center sidelined by the flu, Chamberlain proved unstoppable. He scored 23 points in the first quarter and had 41 by halftime. He continued his onslaught in the third quarter, adding 28 points as fans began chanting, “Give It To Wilt! Give It To Wilt!”. The Warriors obliged, feeding Chamberlain at every opportunity.

The Knicks attempted to prevent Chamberlain from scoring by fouling other Philadelphia players, but the Warriors responded by fouling back to regain possession and get the ball back to their dominant center. With 46 seconds remaining, Chamberlain received a pass from Joe Ruklick and scored a short shot, reaching the historic 100-point mark.

Wilt Chamberlain’s Career Highlights

• 2× NBA champion (1967, 1972)
• NBA Finals MVP (1972)
• 4× NBA Most Valuable Player (1960, 1966–1968)
• 13× NBA All-Star (1960–1969, 1971–1973)
• NBA Rookie of the Year (1960)
• 7× NBA scoring champion (1960–1966)
• 11× NBA rebounding champion (1960–1963, 1966–1969, 1971–1973)