Sports

NBA Players With The Most 30-Point Games For Every Franchise

Who are the NBA players that have recorded the most 30-point games in the history of every franchise?

  • Michael Jordan has the most 30-point games in NBA history with 562
  • The only top 10 scorers in NBA history to not lead a team in 30-point games are Julius Erving, Moses Malone, and Shaquille O’Neal
  • There are only four active NBA players who are the all-time leaders in most 30-point games for their current teams

Over the years, we have gone in-depth into the history of every NBA team in a variety of ways. We have declared our choice for the GOAT of every NBA franchise. We have made our selections for the greatest player from each decade for every NBA team. We have gone team by team to make our selections for their greatest players by position. We have even covered the greatest scorers from every NBA franchise in more ways than one. Now, it is time to take an in-depth look into the greatest scorers from each franchise from a different angle than just plain old total points or points per game.

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The way we will look at the greatest scorers in each franchise’s history will be by looking at their leaders in 30-point games. These leaders in 30-point games are undoubtedly the best all-around scorers in their respective team’s history but also some of the greatest scorers in NBA history. More often than not, these players were looked to by their teammates and coaches to deliver the offense their team needed to win and be competitive on the court. More often than not, they delivered.

The scorers below are highly-decorated and accomplished legends of both the past and the present-day with some of these leaders only taking the top spot for their franchise in recent years. Others have held onto their franchise’s lead in 30-point games for years or even decades.

This is every NBA team’s leader in 30-point games.

Atlanta Hawks – Dominique Wilkins – 320 30-Point Games

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The list kicks off with Dominique Wilkins holding the No. 1 spot for the Atlanta Hawks with 320 30-point games in his career. He holds that spot by just 36 games over Bob Pettit and they are the only two players with over 200 30-point games in franchise history. Current starting point guard for Atlanta, Trae Young, ranks fourth in franchise history with 121 30-point games, meaning if he stays with the Hawks, the record will be well within his reach.

As for Wilkins, he was an underrated scoring machine during his career with Atlanta. He played with the Hawks from his rookie season in 1982-83 through the midway point of the 1993-94 season. In his Hawks career, Wilkins averaged 26.4 PPG on 46.7% shooting from the field. He won one scoring title in 1985-86 when he averaged 30.3 PPG and recorded 44 30-point games. Wilkins was never able to win an NBA title in Atlanta, but he was named an All-Star eight times and an All-NBA Team selection six times.

Boston Celtics – Larry Bird – 223 30-Point Games

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It is not surprising in the least that Larry Bird is the Boston Celtics’ all-time leader in 30-point games with 223 in his 13-year career. He is the only Celtic in franchise history with at least 200 such games, as he ranks ahead of Paul Pierce, who has 197 and John Havlicek with 179. Current star forward Jayson Tatum ranks fourth with 107 30-point games and seems to be trending toward challenging for this record after becoming the first Celtics player to average over 30.0 PPG in a season in 2022-23.

Bird played his entire career for the Celtics from 1980 through 1992, winning three MVP awards, three NBA championships, and two Finals MVP awards for the franchise. Despite his 30-point game record for the team, Bird never averaged 30.0 PPG in a season. During his peak from 1984 through 1988, Bird recorded the majority of his 30-point games, 138 of his 223 to be exact. He recorded four straight 2,000-point seasons from 1985 through 1988 as well, at a time he laid claim to being the best player in the NBA and battled with Magic Johnson and the Lakers.

Brooklyn Nets – Vince Carter – 90 30-Point Games

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The Brooklyn Nets have had one glaring issue as a franchise during their team’s history and that is continuity. That is precisely the reason why no NBA player has recorded even 100 30-point games in their team’s history. Vince Carter comes in as the Nets’ 30-point games leader with 90, while Kevin Durant finishes just behind him with 59 such games. The closest current Nets player is Spencer Dinwiddie, with only 13 30-point games in his two stints with the franchise.

Carter played with the Nets from 2004-05 through 2008-09 for a total of 374 games. During that time, he averaged 23.6 PPG on 44.7% shooting overall and 37.0% from three. Carter was an All-Star with the team in 2006 and 2007 with his best scoring season coming in 2006-07. That season, Carter averaged 25.7 PPG and recorded 25 of the 90 30-point games he had with the team. Carter and the Nets were never able to get to the NBA Finals after his arrival in 2005, but he is still one of the greatest players in franchise history.

Charlotte Hornets – Kemba Walker – 84 30-Point Games

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Kemba Walker is not only the Charlotte Hornets’ all-time leader in 30-point games, but he is their all-time leading scorer and leader in minutes played, three-pointers made, free throws made, and many other categories. Walker is the Hornets’ leader in 30-point games with 84 which is 30 more than the player in second-place, Glen Rice. Current Hornets guard Terry Rozier ranks third with 27 30-point games.

Walker played the majority of his playing career with the Hornets from 2011-12 through 2018-19, where he evolved into a four-time All-Star and reliable all-around franchise cornerstone. In his eight seasons with Charlotte, Walker averaged 19.8 PPG while shooting 41.8% from the field overall. His lone 2,000-point season came in 2018-19 when he also recorded 28 of his 84 career 30-point games with the team.

Chicago Bulls – Michael Jordan – 537 30-Point Games

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Well, this is about as obvious as it will get for any team as far as their leaders in 30-point games go. Michael Jordan averaged over 30.0 PPG for his entire career, which is just one of his NBA records for scoring, so it only makes sense he holds the 30-point games record for the Bulls franchise. Jordan’s 537 30-point games rank over 400 games ahead of second-place in Bulls history which is 109 by Bob Love. Current Bulls shooting guard Zach LaVine ranks third in franchise history with 93 30-point games.

From 1986-87 through 1992-93, Michael Jordan averaged 30.0 PPG or more every season while winning all seven of those scoring titles. He would add three more scoring titles from 1996 through 1998. He also delivered six NBA championships and six Finals MVPs during this time with the Bulls but that is a story for another day. Jordan was incredible during his peak, scoring in any and every way imaginable. He recorded 11 total seasons with 2,000 or more points in a Bulls uniform as well as a 3,000-point season in 1987. It is likely that Jordan’s 30-point game record is safe for the foreseeable future.

Cleveland Cavaliers – LeBron James – 324 30-Point Games

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This may be the most lopsided team record for 30-point games on the entire list. LeBron James is the Cavaliers’ all-time leader in 30-point games with 324. No other player in Cavaliers history has recorded even 60 such games ever. The closest to James’ record is World B. Free with 58 30-point games and Kyrie Irving with 54 30-point games. Current Cavaliers shooting guard recorded 31 30-point games in 2022-23 in his first season with the team, which already puts him in seventh-place in team history.

James played two separate stints with the Cavaliers over the course of his career and both were equally impressive. From 2003-04 through 2009-10, James averaged 27.8 PPG with the Cavs and had two 30.0 PPG seasons including a 2008 scoring title. He recorded 49 of his 324 career 30-point games with the Cavaliers during the 2005-06 season which is still a career-high for him. In his second stint with the Cavaliers from 2015 through 2018, he averaged 26.1 PPG and delivered their only championship in team history.

Dallas Mavericks – Dirk Nowitzki – 245 30-Point Games

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We move onto a team with a slightly less lopsided leaderboard for 30-point games in the Dallas Mavericks. Currently, Dirk Nowitzki remains the franchise’s leader in 30-point games with 245. Slightly behind him is Mark Aguirre with 160 such games during his Mavericks career. Current Dallas superstar Luka Doncic ranks third in franchise history with just five seasons under his belt with 132. Doncic has his sights set on Aguirre and Nowitzki, who will both be within reach before his career is over.

Nowitzki played his entire 21-year career with the Dallas Mavericks from 1999 through 2019. Nowitzki was never a 30.0 PPG scorer in any season, nor did he ever take home a scoring title but his consistency and efficiency shined through as he wound up a top 10 scorer in NBA history, an MVP, NBA champion, and Finals MVP. Of his 21 seasons in a Mavericks uniform, five of them were seasons in which he poured in at least 2,000 points and five of them came with a scoring average of 25.0 PPG or better.

Denver Nuggets – Alex English – 273 30-Point Games

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Alex English is still the most underrated scorer in NBA history and his reign as the Denver Nuggets’ leader in 30-point games is further evidence of it. English holds the lead currently over Carmelo Anthony who is in second with 163 and David Thompson in third with 101. Reigning 2023 Finals MVP and two-time MVP Nikola Jokic ranks fourth in team history with 96 30-point games. It may be close but I do not think even Jokic catches English at this point, but at just 28 years old, the door is still open.

English led the entire 1980s decade in scoring across the NBA. He was the first player to ever record eight or more consecutive 2,000-point seasons, all of which came as a member of the Denver Nuggets. English won one scoring title in 1983 with 28.4 PPG and finished just shy of having a 30.0 PPG season in 1986 with 29.8 PPG. In total with the Nuggets over 11 seasons, English averaged 25.9 PPG on 50.9% shooting as he remains the greatest scorer in team history and one of the most underrated players in NBA history.

Detroit Pistons – Bob Lanier – 150 30-Point Games

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In a surprise at least in my eyes, Bob Lanier has remained the Detroit Pistons’ leader in 30-point games for the last 43 years since he last wore their uniform. His 150 30-point games rank 20 games ahead of Dave Bing and 52 games ahead of Isiah Thomas. Considering the amount of young talent the Pistons are currently trying to build around, Bojan Bogdanovic is the closest current Pistons player with just eight 30-point games, which he accumulated in 2022-23.

Lanier played nine and a half seasons for the Pistons from 1971 through the midway point of the 1979-80 season. During that time, he averaged 22.7 PPG with seven All-Star appearances to his name. His lone 2,000-point season would come in 1972 when he recorded 25 of his 150 30-point games as a member of the Pistons. Despite his 30-point game record, Lanier ranks third in Pistons history with 15,488 total points behind both Joe Dumars and Isiah Thomas.

Golden State Warriors – Wilt Chamberlain – 369 30-Point Games

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When it comes to what Wilt Chamberlain did as a scorer with the Warriors early in his career, we have never seen anything like it. Over the course of five-plus seasons with the Warriors, Wilt averaged 41.5 PPG while winning every scoring title along the way. He even set the NBA record for PPG in 1962 with the Warriors when he averaged 50.4 PPG in 80 games played. Chamberlain averaged 60 30-point games per season with the Warriors, an unfathomable stat even 60 years later.

Wherever Chamberlain has been in the Warriors’ record books, there has been one player either right on his heels or blowing right by him. That player is Stephen Curry who ranks second in Warriors history with 262 career 30-point games with the Warriors. The record can certainly be reached for Curry but it will take a ton of work. Over the last two seasons, Curry has recorded 49 30-point games. Continuing with that trend, it would take him about five seasons to reach Chamberlain. It can definitely happen especially when we are talking about the greatest three-point shooter that ever lived.

Houston Rockets – James Harden – 289 30-Point Games

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During his peak with the Houston Rockets, James Harden had one of the greatest offensive stretches we had ever seen in NBA history. He won three straight NBA scoring titles from 2018 through 2020, averaging over 30.0 PPG each season, where most of his 289 30-point games came from. Harden’s 289 30-point games rank just ahead of Hakeem Olajuwon with 227 and Elvin Hayes with 136. Current Rockets shooting guard Jalen Green ranks 13th in Rockets history with 24 30-point games in two seasons with the team.

Harden was as versatile as it gets as a scorer during his time with the Rockets from 2013 through 2020. He displayed some of the greatest handles we had ever seen in NBA history while implementing a stepback three, a Euro step attack on the basket, and an ability to get to the foul line at a high rate. In his eight-plus seasons with the Rockets, Harden averaged 29.6 PPG on 44.3% shooting overall and 36.2% from three.

Indiana Pacers – Reggie Miller – 114 30-Point Games

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The Indiana Pacers have had their own issues with continuity as a franchise which is why Reggie Miller’s 114 30-point games still reign supreme for them. Miller accumulated these 114 30-point games over an 18-year career with the Pacers from 1988 through 2005. As one of the greatest three-point shooters in NBA history, outbursts of 30 points or more for him were not a rare occurrence by a long shot, even if his career-high PPG in a season was 24.6 PPG back in 1990.

Miller holds the Pacers record comfortably as no other player has recorded even 100 such games in an Indiana uniform. Danny Granger ranks second with 60 30-point games and Paul George finished just behind him with 55. The closest current member of the Pacers is big man Myles Turner, but he isn’t all that close at all with just nine 30-point games in his career. Over the last season and a half, Tyrese Haliburton has recorded seven such games as well, meaning Miller’s record is more than safe at this point in time.

Los Angeles Clippers – Bob McAdoo – 156 Games

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As the only MVP in the history of the Los Angeles Clippers, Bob McAdoo still owning the 30-point games record in team history just feels right. McAdoo recorded 156 30-point games in his career with the Buffalo Braves that spanned just four and a half seasons. McAdoo was named the 1973 Rookie of the Year award, then won three consecutive scoring titles from 1974 through 1976 averaging over 30.0 PPG every season. During his 1975 MVP season, he averaged 34.5 PPG and recorded an incredible 58 30-point games on the year.

McAdoo ranks safely ahead of other Clippers greats in the 30-point games category with no other player in team history even reaching 70 such games. World B.Free ranks second in team history with 69 30-point games and Blake Griffin ranks third with 64. The closest current player is fifth all-time in Clipper history with 48 30-point games with that being Kawhi Leonard. Judging by the amount of time missed in action by Leonard over the past few seasons, it’s safe to say no one will be catching McAdoo anytime soon.

Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant – 431 30-Point Games

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If Michael Jordan was the obvious selection for the Bulls, Kobe Bryant is equally predictable for the Los Angeles Lakers. Over the course of 20 seasons with Los Angeles, Bryant became a global icon for the sport while delivering five NBA championships for the city. Bryant tallied the fourth-most points in NBA history with 33,643 total points, all coming in a Lakers uniform. Bryant had multiple seasons in which he averaged at least 30.0 PPG, including his back-to-back scoring title seasons in 2006 and 2007.

As for the Lakers’ record, it stands safe for now. Jerry West and Elgin Baylor round out the top three in 30-point games as West had 350 and Baylor had 343. LeBron James is the only current player with at least 100 30-point games in a Lakers uniform and he has 104 through five seasons. I do not envision anyone in the next 20 years catching Kobe Bryant’s all-time Lakers 30-point record or all-time scoring record with the franchise.

Memphis Grizzlies – Ja Morant – 54 30-Point Games

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For the first time on our list, we get to a franchise whose leader in 30-point games is currently with the team. Ja Morant has all the talent and makings of an NBA superstar and he has shown it with his freakish athleticism and ability to score in bursts. Morant has been with the Grizzlies for just four seasons but has already inserted his name into their record books. What makes it even more interesting is that 45 of his 54 30-point games have come since the start of the 2021-22 season meaning this record is just beginning to take shape.

Morant passed Shareef Abdur-Rahim’s record for 30-point games during the 2022-23 season and has just kept building from there. Abdur-Rahim recorded just 34 30-point games with the Grizzlies and Pau Gasol ranks third with 30 such games. Desmond Bane is the only other current Grizzlies player near the top 10 with 12 30-point games but will likely trail Morant for the long term as long as they share the court as teammates.

Miami Heat – Dwyane Wade – 215 30-Point Games

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Say whatever you will about players like LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal coming into Miami and doing their thing for the franchise. When it comes to the Heat, Miami is Wade County and it will remain that way forever. Dwyane Wade owns the Miami Heat’s record for 30-point games with 215 total over the course of 15 seasons with the team. Wade is a former scoring champ in 2008-09 when he averaged 30.2 PPG with 39 of his 30-point games coming in that one season.

Wade’s record of 215 30-point games with the Heat is currently 109 games more than his next closest challenger, LeBron James. Other than those two, no player in team history even has 70 career 30-point games. For current players, Jimmy Butler ranks fifth in team history with 27 30-point games over the course of four seasons with the team since 2020. Wade’s record will likely stand for years and perhaps decades to come, as 15 seasons at the top of one franchise is hard to come by in today’s league.

Milwaukee Bucks – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 236 30-Point Games

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Despite not having worn a Bucks jersey since 1974-75, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar remains the team’s all-time leader in 30-point games with 236. This is because of Kareem’s dominance as a scorer during the six seasons he spent with the team from 1970 through 1975. Kareem averaged 30.0 PPG in four of his six seasons in Milwaukee, which included back-to-back scoring titles in 1971 and 1972, when he averaged 31.7 PPG and 34.8 PPG, respectively.

Kareem’s record with the Bucks is not safe in any way whatsoever, much like his status as the team’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder has already fallen. The man set to break that record is once again Giannis Antetokounmpo who lies just 26 games behind Kareem for the record. In 2022-23, Giannis recorded 39 30-point games so if that is a sign of things to come, Giannis should own this record before the end of 2023-24. No other current Bucks player ranks in the top 10 for the franchise in 30-point games.

Minnesota Timberwolves – Karl-Anthony Towns – 96 30-Point Games

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Another franchise and another current player holds their record for 30-point games. Karl-Anthony Towns has accumulated 96 30-point games since being drafted first overall by the team back in 2015. In eight seasons with the team, Towns has averaged 23.0 PPG with five seasons of better than 24.0 PPG. Since becoming an All-Star in 2018 for the first time, Towns has averaged 23.7 PPG as well.

Towns surpassed the old record held by Kevin Garnett with 82 back in the 2021-22 season. Injuries and missed time held him to just two 30-point games in 2022-23 but let another current Timberwolves player gain some ground. The only one who can challenge Towns for the record is Anthony Edwards who has 37 30-point games through three seasons. In 2022-23 however, he recorded 24 of those games and is just at the beginning of his prime as an NBA player. It will be an interesting trend to watch this race continue to unfold as Edwards evolves and Towns continues to have trade rumors brought to light about his stance with the team.

New Orleans Pelicans – Anthony Davis – 128 30-Point Games

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It has been four full seasons since Anthony Davis wore a New Orleans Pelicans jersey for the last time yet he remains their all-time leader in 30-point games by a considerable margin. After becoming the Pelicans’ first-overall pick in 2012, Davis would give New Orleans seven seasons of incredible two-way play. He would average 23.7 PPG over those seven seasons but maxed out as a 28.0 PPG scorer in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. During those two years, Davis took off as an offensive player and recorded 68 of his 128 30-point games for the team.

Surprisingly enough, there is a current player somewhat on Davis’ heels for this record. Brandon Ingram is the player in second with 46 30-point games over the last four seasons with the team after being part of the deal that sent Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019. Zion Williamson is also in the hint as a current player with 33 30-point games which puts him in the fifth spot in Pelicans history.

New York Knicks – Patrick Ewing – 203 30-Point Games

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Some will argue that despite a lack of an NBA championship with the Knicks, Patrick Ewing is still the greatest player in team history because of stats like this. Ewing recorded 203 30-point games with the Knicks over the course of 15 seasons from 1986 through 2000. Even as a rookie, Ewing had a knack for putting the ball in the basket and averaged at least 20.0 PPG every season from then through 1998 with New York. During that time, he averaged 23.5 PPG and accumulated most of his 30-point performances.

Ewing’s 203 30-point games are firmly in the lead for the Knicks franchise with Carmelo Anthony coming in second with 108 games. Behind him, no other Knicks player has had at least 100 30-point games in a Knicks uniform. Of course, the closest current player is Julius Randle who has had 59 30-point games since joining the team in 2019-20. At an average of 15 30-point games per season, Randlke would have to play for the Knicks for nine more seasons to even sniff Ewing’s record.

Oklahoma City Thunder – Kevin Durant – 246 30-Point Games

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Kevin Durant is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. His command of all three levels on offense has been some of the most efficient in the history of the game, especially from the small forward position. With the Thunder from 2008 through 2016, Durant was the winner of four NBA scoring titles and two different 30.0 PPG seasons. Over those nine seasons with the team, Durant averaged 27.4 PPG on 48.3% shooting overall and 38.0% from three.

Durant’s 246 30-point games rank ahead of Russell Westbrook’s 189 30-point games in second-place and Dale Ellis’ 96 30-point games with the Seattle SuperSonics in third place. What is interesting is the surge from current superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander up this list. He currently ranks fifth with 78 30-point games with Oklahoma City. In 2022-23, Gilgeous-Alexander recorded 45 of those 30-point games and averaged 31.4 PPG on the season. Durant’s record will not be safe if things keep trending in that direction.

Orlando Magic – Tracy McGrady – 128 30-Point Games

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There weren’t many scorers better than Tracy McGrady was with the Orlando Magic during his peak in the 2000s. McGrady played only four seasons with the Magic from 2001 through 2004, but what a four years it was. McGrady won back-to-back scoring titles in 2003 and 2004 with 32.1 PPG and 28.0 PPG, respectively. The fact that McGrady recorded 128 20-point games in four years is remarkable and for now, a record that won’t be touched for a long time.

The 128 games from McGrady ranks ahead of Shaquille O’Neal in second with 104 such games and Dwight Howard in third with 52. Paolo Banchero recorded six 30-point games during his rookie season in 2022-23 and is already more than any other current Magic player on their roster. Banchero is only going to keep getting better but has a long way to go to be mentioned in the same sentence as Tracy McGrady on the offensive side of the ball.

Philadelphia 76ers – Allen Iverson – 303 30-Point Games

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As great as Wilt Chamberlain and Julius Erving were, there is no greater scorer in the history of the Philadelphia 76ers than Allen Iverson. Standing at 6’0’’, Iverson defied the odds in the NBA by becoming one the game’s most lethal offensive players using incredible handles, a fearless attack on the rim, and never meeting a shot he wasn’t going to take regardless of the defense in front of him. Iverson won four scoring titles with the 76ers in his 12 seasons with the team and averaged 30.0 PPG or more five times. He averaged 27.6 PPG over those 12 seasons as well.

Iverson’s 303 30-point games rank well ahead of Joel Embiid in second place with 158. Embiid has been with the Sixers since 2015 despite not playing a single game until the 2016-17 season. In 2022 and 2023, Embiid took home back-to-back scoring titles and recorded 85 of his 158 30-point games. With things trending in this direction, Embiid could challenge Iverson’s 30-point game record somewhere in the next four or five seasons. However, the Sixers have much bigger fish to fry like getting past the second round of the playoffs.

Phoenix Suns – Devin Booker – 161 30-Point Games

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It hasn’t been often that we run into a current player holding the lead for 30-point games in any franchise’s history but we have found another one with Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. Booker has been with the Suns since the 2015-16 season after selecting him 13th in the 2015 NBA Draft. Since that time, Booker has turned into one of the more consistent and lethal scoring shooting guards in the NBA. He has averaged 26.0 PPG or better every season since 2018-19 and even had 70 points in a game once back in 2017.

As for the record with the Suns, Booker’s record is as safe as it gets at the moment. In second is Walter Davis with 90 30-point games and Amar’e Stoudemire ranks third with 86. No other current player has more than 10 career 30-point games with the team. That could quickly change as the Suns have added both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal over the last several months. Even with their addition, it is safe to assume Booker’s 30-point games record will stand for the foreseeable future.

Portland Trail Blazers – Damian Lillard – 232 30-Point Games

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Damian Lillard is another current player to hold the 30-point games record, although it is unknown how much longer he will be with the team after requesting a trade in summer 2023. Lillard has been with Portland for 11 seasons and has poured his heart, soul, and tears into the franchise every day for his team Lillard is Portland’s all-time leading scorer and three-point leader as well. He recorded his second 30.0 PPG season in 2022-23 with 33 30-point games, including an incredible 71-point game that led the NBA.

The only other player in Trail Blazers history with at least 100 30-point games is Clyde Drexler who had 130 such games during his career. The closest current player not named Damian Lillard is young budding star Anfernee Simons who has 19 30-point games in his five seasons with the team. With uncertainty facing the franchise and its future, one of their young stars will have to step up for over a decade in order to even have a chance at catching Lillard’s 30-point record.

Sacramento Kings – Oscar Robertson – 382 30-Point Games

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Oscar Robertson has not worn a Cincinnati Royals jersey since the 1970 season over 50 years ago. He was so dominant during his time as a scorer and all-around player, that his 382 30-point games have withstood the test of time and remained at the top for the Kings franchise. On top of his triple-doubles and assists titles, Robertson was an elite scorer for the Royals with six different 30.0 PPG seasons and one scoring title in 1968 with 29.5 PPG.

There are no other players close to Robertson’s record with the Kings as no other player has even 150 30-point games in their careers with the team. Tiny Archibald ranks second in team history with 148 games while Jack Twyman ranks third with 136. The closest current player to Robertson is De’Aaron Fox who ranks sixth in team history with 65 30-point games in six seasons. In 2022-23, Fox had his best offensive season when he recorded 25 30-point games and averaged 25.0 PPG. He still has a long way to go if he wants to catch Robertson, though.

San Antonio Spurs – George Gervin – 288 30-Point Games

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While Tim Duncan is undoubtedly the greatest player in San Antonio Spurs’ history, there has never been a better scorer for the team than George Gervin. In the NBA, Gervin spent nine seasons with the Spurs after playing for them for three seasons in the ABA. From 1977 through 1982, Gervin won four of five scoring titles as well with two seasons over 30.0 PPG and six seasons of over 2,000 points.

David Robinson is actually the closest player in Spurs history to Gervin with 186 30-point games while Duncan comes in third with 122. The closest current player would be Keldon Johnson who ranks 16th with 11 30-point games. Something tells me we will need to revisit this list in just a few years’ time as rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama gets ready to break into the NBA. Although it is far too early to put him in the same sentence as these great Spurs scorers, something tells me it won’t be long until his play does it for us.

Toronto Raptors – DeMar DeRozan – 96 30-Point Games

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The Toronto Raptors franchise is another team who has struggled with continuity from their players over the years. However, DeMar DeRozan had a great tenure with the team during the 2010s from 2010 through 2018. In those nine seasons, DeRozan experienced highs and lows but was always looked at as their leader and best offensive option. He had his best season for Toronto in 2017 when he averaged 27.3 PPG and recorded 32 of his 96 30-point games, by far his most in one year with the team.

DeRozan’s 96 30-point games rank just ahead of Vince Carter’s 91 30-point games in his Raptors career. There is a current Raptors player who has inserted himself into the conversation as well. Pascal Siakam currently ranks fourth in team history with 55 30-point games which means he only needs 41 games to catch DeRozan. In 2022-23, Siakam had 12 such games, which means as long as he doesn’t get traded, he will catch DeRozan at some point.

Utah Jazz – Karl Malone – 435 Games

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As the NBA’s third all-time leading scorer and as someone who played 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz, it is no shock that Karl Malone is their all-time leader in 30-point games. Malone was never a scoring leader or won any scoring accolades but it was his consistency that led to nearly two decades of dominance. Malone scored the most points in the decade of the 90s. Yes, even more than Jordan. He averaged 25.4 PPG over 18 years in Utah and even had himself a 31.0 PPG season in 1990.

The closest player to Malone’s record is still light years away as Adrian Dantley recorded 250 30-point games in his Jazz career. As far as current Jazz players go, Lauri Markkanen inserted himself into the conversation in just one season in 2022-23. Markkanen recorded 16 30-point games last season, which remarkably already ranks him 11th in team history. Still, we may never see the day that Karl Malone’s 30-point games record is broken in Utah.

Washington Wizards – Walt Bellamy – 144 30-Point Games

Credit: Fadeaway World

We have come to our final team leader in 30-point games with Walt Bellamy of the Baltimore Bullets, or Washington Wizards franchise. Bellamy recorded these games all in the first four seasons of his career as the Chicago Packers turned into the Chicago Zephyrs and the Zephyrs turned into the Bullets. Bellamy was a 27.6 PPG scorer over these four and a half seasons while averaging 31.6 PPG his rookie season with 51 30-point games that year as well, the most in one year in his entire career.

Bellamy’s record was in danger of falling to Bradley Beal who was at 140 30-point games before being traded this summer to the Phoenix Suns. With Beal gone, Bellamy’s record is once again safe atop Wizards history. The closest current player on the Wizards to Bellamy’s record is Kyle Kuzma with just 14 30-point games in two seasons. Kuzma just signed an extension with Washington, but even that will not keep him in town long enough to catch Bellamy as the Wizards’ all-time leader in 30-point games.

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