Listing Top 10 highest-scoring games in the NBA ever played

Some of the highest-scoring games in NBA history have been on display in the modern era. As the pace of the game increases, scoring has become easier for most players. Additionally, the talent of some of the best players today is incomparable to players in the early years of the NBA.

On Sunday night, a high-scoring game was presented during a normal regular-season game between the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Wolves won 150-126 even without their star big men, Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert.

Even with the loss, the Bulls had a high-scoring game as well. Scoring 126 might've secured a win in the NBA 20 years ago, but it's a different league now. The high-scoring scoring trend has made the game more fun.

Here are the top 10 highest-scoring games in the NBA.

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#8(tie), Phoenix Suns 173, Denver Nuggets 143

Phoenix Suns' forward Tom Chambers

On Nov. 10, 1990, Tom Chambers was the face of the Phoenix Suns. The Suns had a big first half, scoring 107 points in two quarters. What's impressive is that it happened in the 1990s, when defenses were tougher and officiating was different.

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#8 (tie), Cincinnati Royals 165, San Diego Rockets 151

Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets

Before they were the Sacramento Kings, they were making as much noise as the Cincinnati Royals. All players in the starting five finished with 20 or more points on March 12, 1970. The Rockets trailed 89-70 at halftime, and both teams ending the game scoring over 150 points.

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#8 (tie), Philadelphia Warriors 169, New York Knicks 157

A post-NBA Wilt Chamberlain

The Philadelphia Warriors were the team of the great Wilt Chamberlain, who famously scored 100 points on March 2, 1962. This was the famed game that set the record for the most points in a single game by a single player. Chamberlain also set the record for the most points in a half, with 59.

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#7, Houston Rockets 159, Washington Wizards 158

Houston Rockets vs. Washington Wizards

This is one of the most recent games on this list. The match between the Washington Wizards and the Houston Rockets took place on Oct. 30, 2019, and was close the entire game.

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#5 (tie), Phoenix Suns 161, New Jersey Nets 157

Seven seconds or less Suns

The Phoenix Suns' seven-seconds or less offense helped them win big time against the New Jersey Nets on Dec. 7, 2006. It was Boris Diaw who iced the game to give the Suns a win with 14 seconds remaining.

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#5, Denver Nuggets 163, San Antonio Spurs 155

San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets

On Nov .11, 1984, the San Antonio Spurs matched up against the Denver Nuggets, but ultimately lost. George "Iceman" Gervin led the Spurs with 38 points and dished out nine assists. But Kiki Vandeweghe's 50-point performance was too much.

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#4, Golden State Warriors 162, Denver Nuggets 158

Denver Nuggets vs. Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors' Run TMC trio gave the Nuggets some trouble back in Nov. 2, 1990. Their fast-paced and high-scoring offense gave them the win. Chris Mullin was the star of the night as he scored 38 points.

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#3, Chicago Bulls 168, Atlanta Hawks 161

Chicago Bulls vs. Atlanta Hawks

Similar to the entry of the Rockets and the Wizards, this game happened back in 2019. The March 1 game ended after three overtime periods. With this, both teams combined for 329 points.

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#2, San Antonio Spurs 171, Milwaukee Bucks 166

Milwaukee Bucks vs. San Antonio Spurs

Taking the No. 2 spot on the list of the highest-scoring games, the Spurs ended the game with a win on March 6, 1982. Gervin had 50 points to help San Antonio win. He played 114 minutes, together with Mike Mitchell.

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#1, Denver Nuggets 184, Detroit Pistons 186

Denver Nuggets vs. Detroit Pistons

The top spot for the highest-scoring games in the NBA was played by the Pistons and the Nuggets on Dec. 13, 1983. It ended with three overtime periods, and both teams had a combined score of 370 points. Four players scored 40 points in the contest.