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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 Whistle
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.