Top 10: Most points in NBA game by one player

#4 (Tied) David Thompson - 73 points, 9th April 1978

David started off with what was then a record total for a single player in a single quarter - 32 points in the first half

Match Score - Denver Nuggets 137-139 Detroit Pistons

Statline: 73 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 28-of-38 shooting, 17-of-20 on free throws

Hall of Famer David Thompson is a forgotten figure in a league that doesn't remember the '70s in a good light.

The swingman played nine seasons in a career tragically cut short by injury and substance abuse, but before debuting with the Nuggets in the erstwhile ABA, he had a much-vaunted college basketball career with the Tar Heels.

Incidentally, he's the Hall of Fame inductee who ushered Michael Jordan to the podium for his induction.

In this particular game, David started off with what was then a record total for a single player in a single quarter - 32 points in the first half.

By halftime, he had the third-highest single half total for a player with 53 points. His influence fell away later on in the game as the rest of the roster was unable to get any sort of rhythm going.

Having led the game all game long until the fourth quarter, the Nuggets proceeded to hand the W to the Pistons, who were powered a team effort as four players scored 20 or more points.