The top 10 most assists in a single NBA game highlight some of the greatest playmakers the league has ever seen. These performances show just how special it is when a point guard completely takes over a game with their passing.
1. Scott Skiles
- Assists: 30
- Date: 12/30/1990 — Orlando Magic vs. Denver Nuggets
- Skiles set an NBA record that still stands today. Known as a gritty, fiery point guard, he led Orlando with exceptional court vision. His 30-assist night is viewed as one of the most unbreakable single-game records.
2. Kevin Porter
- Assists: 29
- Date: 2/24/1978 — New Jersey Nets vs. Houston Rockets
- Porter was one of the league’s earliest pure pass-first point guards. Quick and intuitive, he led the NBA in assists four times. This performance stood as the record until Skiles broke it 12 years later.
3. John Stockton
- Assists: 28
- Date: 1/15/1991 — Utah Jazz vs. San Antonio Spurs
- Stockton, widely considered the greatest pure passer in NBA history, holds the career assists record by a massive margin. His mastery of pick-and-roll offense made him nearly unstoppable as a distributor. This 28-assist output was one of many legendary passing nights.
4. Guy Rodgers
- Assists: 28
- Date: 3/14/1963 — San Francisco Warriors vs. St. Louis Hawks
- Rodgers was one of the best passers of the 1960s, known for his flashy style and elite court creativity. He teamed with Wilt Chamberlain early in his career, often feeding him for scoring explosions. His 28 assists were decades ahead of their time.
5. Bob Cousy
- Assists: 28
- Date: 2/27/1959 — Boston Celtics vs. Minneapolis Lakers
- Cousy revolutionized ball-handling and playmaking in the 1950s. His flair and court wizardry shaped the modern point-guard role. Before the era of high scoring, 28 assists was extraordinary.
6. John Stockton
- Assists: 27
- Date: 12/19/1989 — Utah Jazz @ New York Knicks
- Another Stockton gem, coming during his early years of dominance. He consistently dissected defenses with precision and timing. Nights like this made him an annual assists champion.
7. Geoff Huston
- Assists: 27
- Date: 1/27/1982 — Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors
- Huston played during a transitional guard era and had his best years in Cleveland. He was a steady, reliable floor general with strong passing instincts. His 27-assist game remains one of the most surprising high totals in NBA history.
8. John Stockton
- Assists: 26
- Date: 4/14/1988 — Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- Yet another appearance by the assist king. Stockton’s consistency and stamina allowed him to post multiple 20+ assist games throughout his career. This performance came as he was entering his prime.
9. Rajon Rondo
- Assists: 25
- Date: 12/27/2017 — New Orleans Pelicans vs. Brooklyn Nets
- Rondo is one of the most brilliant passers of the modern era, known for his anticipation and unorthodox creativity. His 25-assist game set a franchise record for New Orleans. Even late in his career, his vision remained elite.
10. Jason Kidd
- Assists: 25
- Date: 2/8/1996 — Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz
- Kidd was a triple-double machine with top-tier basketball IQ. Known for his speed and transition passing, he revitalized every franchise he joined. His 25-assist performance came during his early explosive years in Dallas.
Conclusion
Looking back at these incredible assist totals really shows how much skill and vision go into running an offense at the highest level. It’s a fun reminder that some of the best moments in basketball come from setting up teammates and making the whole team shine.