Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant are among the players who have scored the most 50-point games against each franchise in NBA history.

It wasn’t that long ago that a 50-point game in the NBA was a special feat. As the game has evolved and shots continue to rain down from beyond the three-point line, 50 points in a game has become more and more common. Today, we are going to show you every NBA team’s arch-nemesis throughout history by revealing which players tallied the most 50-point games against them in their careers.

Atlanta Hawks – Wilt Chamberlain – 9 50-Point Games

The all-time leader in 50-point games against the Atlanta Hawks in history is Wilt Chamberlain. Now, be prepared as one of the most prolific scores in NBA history will be in this list multiple times against multiple franchises. That being said, Chamberlain’s nine 50-point games against the Hawks all came during the 1962 and 1963 seasons. Chamberlain reached the 60-point mark in five of those games as well. Chamberlain’s career-high against the Hawks came in a 67-point performance during the 1962-63 season in which he shot 26-44 from the field but lost the game, 128-121.

Stephen A. Smith Apologizes To America After Warriors GetBlown Out On National TVRead MoreBoston Celtics – Wilt Chamberlain – 6 50-Point Games

Everyone knows about the on-court rivalry between Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell during the 1960s. The battles resulted in six instances in which Chamberlain surpassed the 50-point mark, making him the franchise’s greatest rival. Elgin Baylor, Michael Jordan, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar are the only other three players with more than one 50-point game against Boston. Chamberlain’s career-best against the Celtics would come during his 1961-62 season when he dropped 62 points and 28 rebounds on 27-45 shooting in a 145-136 loss.

Brooklyn Nets – Bernard King – 2 50-Point Games

It may be hard to believe but Bernard King is the only player in NBA history to have multiple 50-point games against the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets in his career. King would have both of his big games against the Nets as a member of the New York Knicks and both performances would come during the 1984-85 season. On Christmas 1984, King would have a 60-point masterclass against the Nets shooting 19-30 overall and 22-26 from the foul line but the Nets would win 120-114. Two months later, King would have 55 points and 11 rebounds against the Nets but once again, the Nets prevailed 126-117.

Charlotte Hornets – Michael Jordan – 2 50-Point Games

It turns out that Michael Jordan owned the Charlotte Hornets in more ways than one both during his playing career and as their principal owner after his playing days were over. Jordan is the only player in history to record more than one 50-point game against the Hornets. His first 50-point game against Charlotte would come in March 1993 when he scored 52 points on 21-35 shooting overall and 8-9 from the foul line in a 123-108 win. Nearly a decade later with the Wizards, Jordan would score 51 points on 21-38 shooting, leading his team to a 107-90 victory.

Chicago Bulls – 18 Players – 1 50-Point Game

The Chicago Bulls are one of the few teams in the NBA that have never allowed a player to have multiple 50-point games against them. Only 18 players have registered at least one such game against them in NBA history. The first time this occurred was in 1966-67 when Rick Barry scored 52 points on 45.0% shooting. The most recent 50-point game against Chicago came during the 2022-23 season when Donovan Mitchell had his unbelievable 71-point game on 64.7% shooting in an overtime win.

The other 16 players to have a 50-point game against the Bulls include Devin Booker, Joel Embiid, Bradley Beal, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, CJ McCollum, Michael Redd, Tracy McGrady, Jerry Stackhouse, Jamal Mashburn, Dominique Wilkins, Kelly Tripucka, Adrian Dantley, Dave Bing, Lou Hudson, and Wilt Chamberlain.

Cleveland Cavaliers – Michael Jordan – 3 50-Point Games

In NBA history, few players have owned a single franchise like Michael Jordan did the Cleveland Cavaliers on the basketball court. With his three 50-point games against them in his career, Jordan is one of three players to have more than one 50-point game against Cleveland in their careers. Allen Iverson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have two each. Of course, Jordan’s best game against the Cavaliers came in his 1990 career-high performance of 69 points, 18 rebounds, and six assists on 62.2% shooting from the field in a 117-113 win.

Dallas Mavericks – Stephen Curry And Kobe Bryant – 2 50-Point Games

As a franchise that has only been around since 1980-81, the Mavericks have allowed just two players to record more than one 50-point game against them in their careers, and they happen to be two of the greatest scorers ever. Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry each have two 50-point games against Dallas. Bryant’s best performance would be a 62-point game in 2005 in which he shot 18-31 from the floor and led his team to a 22-point win. As for Curry, his best game against Dallas would come in 2021 when he dropped 57 points on 11-19 shooting from three but the Warriors fell to the Mavericks, 134-132.

Denver Nuggets – Adrian Dantley – 3 50-Point Games

When it comes to the Denver Nuggets, no player had more individual success against them in his career than Adrian Dantley with three 50-point games. All three of Dantley’s 50-point games against Denver would come in the 1981 and 1982 seasons. His best performance would be in February 1981 when he dropped 55 points on 24-36 shooting from the field in a 120-116 loss as a member of the Utah Jazz.

Detroit Pistons – Wilt Chamberlain – 18 50-Point Games

Wilt Chamberlain makes yet another appearance on our list with his dominance of the Detroit Pistons throughout his career. Chamberlain recorded 18 career 50-point games against the Pistons which includes seven games with at least 55 points. Chamberlain’s career-high against Detroit would come during the 1963-64 season in which he dropped 59 points on 25-50 shooting and 9-21 from the foul line. The Warriors won the game 128-118 as Wilt grabbed 18 rebounds and dished out 4 assists as well.

Golden State Warriors – Elgin Baylor – 4 50-Point Games

There is no doubt that Elgin Baylor enjoyed playing against the Golden State Warriors in his career. With his four 50-point games against the franchise, Baylor joins Damian Lillard and Karl Malone as the only players with multiple 50-point games against the franchise. Baylor’s best game against the Warriors came during the 1961-62 season in which he scored 63 points in a 151-147 win. Baylor shot 23-55 from the field while grabbing an astonishing 31 rebounds with 7 assists as well.

Houston Rockets – Kobe Bryant – 3 50-Point Games

As Western Conference foes, the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets had some amazing battles during the 2000s and 2010s headlined by the incomparable Kobe Bryant. Kobe Bryant and Geoff Petrie are the only players in NBA history to have multiple 50-point games against the Rockets in their careers. Bryant was able to have two different 53-point games against Houston, both of which came during the 2006-07 season. The Lakers would go 1-1 in those two games.

Indiana Pacers – Giannis Antetokounmpo – 3 50-Point Games

In 2023-24, we witnessed a budding rivalry begin to take better shape between the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers. One of the reasons that their differences have come to a head this season may be the fact that Indiana has had a terrible time trying to slow down superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo the last few seasons. Two of Giannis’ three 50-point games have come against Indiana this season including a Bucks franchise record of 64 points in December that sparked huge controversy when the Pacers ran off with the game ball.

Los Angeles Clippers – Kobe Bryant – 2 50-Point Games

Whenever Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers suited up against the Los Angeles Clippers, they set out to demoralize them just as big brothers often do to their little brothers. This puts Bryant above all else when it comes to 50-point games with two in his career. Kobe’s two 50-point games came during the 2006 and 2007 scoring title seasons for him. In 2006, Kobe led the Lakers to a win with 50 points on 17-41 shooting. He followed that up with 50 points in a loss in 2007 on 17-33 shooting from the field but couldn’t get the win with 71 combined points from Elton Brand and Corey Maggette.

Los Angeles Lakers – Wilt Chamberlain – 19 50-Point Games

Wilt Chamberlain’s 19 career 50-point games against the Los Angeles Lakers is the most by one player against any team in NBA history. Chamberlain enjoyed a 39.5 points per game career scoring average against the Lakers so it’s safe to say he rose to the occasion when the lights shined brightest. Wilt’s best game against the Lakers came in 1961-62 when he dropped 78 points and 43 rebounds on 31-62 shooting in a 151-147 loss. Chamberlain would have two 70-point games and seven 60-point games against the Lakers in his career.

Memphis Grizzlies – Kobe Bryant – 3 50-Point Games

It turns out the Mavericks, Clippers, and Rockets aren’t the only teams Kobe Bryant dominated in his career. In their short history, Bryant also dominated the Memphis Grizzlies with three 50-point games, all coming between 2002 and 2008. Bryant’s top performance against Memphis would come during the 2006-07 season. Bryant would go off for an incredible 60 points on 20-37 shooting overall and 17-18 from the foul line. The Lakers squeaked out a 120-118 win as Bryant added to his career 24.4 points per game against Memphis.

Miami Heat – 10 Players – 1 50-Point Game

The Miami Heat are one of four franchises to never allow any player to have more than one 50-point game against them. Miami has had just 10 50-point games against them in their history. The first came during their inaugural 1988-89 season when Alex English recorded 51 points on 24-35 shooting. The most recent occurrence came during the 2019-20 season at the hands of Trae Young who scored 50 points on 12-25 shooting overall and 8-15 from three.

The other eight players to have a 50-point game against the Miami Heat include James Harden, LeBron James, Isaiah Thomas, Carmelo Anthony, Jamal Crawford, Vince Carter, Michael Jordan, and Willie Burton.

Milwaukee Bucks – Michael Jordan And LeBron James – 2 50-Point Games

In the history of the Milwaukee Bucks, only two players have recorded more than one 50-point game against the franchise. They just so happen to be the two greatest players in NBA history. Michael Jordan had two 50-point games against the Bucks in 1987 and 1989, resulting in two wins for the Bulls. LeBron James would have a 55-point game against Milwaukee in a 2009 blowout win as well as a 52-point game in 2009 in a four-point loss.

Minnesota Timberwolves – 12 Players – 1 50-Point Game

The Minnesota Timberwolves are also one of four teams to never have a single player record more than one 50-point game against them. The first time anyone scored 50 against Minnesota would come in 1993-94 when both Shaquille O’Neal and David Robinson had separate 50-point games against them. Joel Embiid became the most recent player to drop 50 on the Timberwolves in 2023-24. Embiid had 51 points on 68.0% shooting in a 127-113 win.

The other nine players to have a 50-point game against the Minnesota Timberwolves include Cedric Ceballos, Kobe Bryant, Tony Parker, Kyrie Irving, D’Angelo Russell, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, Darius Garland, and Julius Randle.

New Orleans Pelicans – Devin Booker – 2 50-Point Games

Only six players in NBA history can say they have recorded a 50-point game against the New Orleans Pelicans in their careers. Of those six players, only Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns has done it twice. In 2022, Booker had a 58-point game in which he shot 21-35 from the field and 6-12 from three in a 118-114 win. In 2023-24, Booker did it again with 52 points on January 19 in a 123-109 win. Booker shot 18-30 from the floor and 6-11 from three in the game and became the career 50-point games leader against the Pelicans.

New York Knicks – Wilt Chamberlain – 18 50-Point Games

Existing during the era of Wilt Chamberlain didn’t work out great for many NBA franchises. One of the most tormented would be the New York Knicks who surrendered 18 50-point games to Chamberlain in his career. The most famous occurrence of all is Chamberlain’s 100-point game during the 1961-62 season. This game has become a mythical-like occurrence to many modern-day NBA fans who have been clamoring for footage for years now. Chamberlain shot 36-63 in the game and 28-32 from the foul line in the game’s single greatest one-game performance ever.

Oklahoma City Thunder – Wilt Chamberlain – 2 50-Point Games

In their 57-year history, the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder have surrendered 50-point games to only 10 players. Of those 10, only Wilt Chamberlain was able to do it more than once. Chamberlain had both of his 50-point games against Seattle in December 1967. He recorded a 52-point game against Seattle in a 133-109 win. Only 19 days later, Wilt would top his previous performance with a 53-point game in an outrageous 160-122 victory.

Orlando Magic – Michael Jordan And James Harden – 2 50-Point Games

The Orlando Magic have surrendered a total of 16 50-point games to 13 different players. Only Michael Jordan and James Harden have done it more than once against the team from Central Florida in their careers. Jordan’s best performance against Orlando came in 1993 when he scored 64 points on 27-49 shooting from the floor in a 128-124 loss. Harden’s best game against Orlando came in 2016 when he scored 60 points on 19-30 shooting and 5-14 from three.

Philadelphia 76ers – Wilt Chamberlain – 11 50-Point Games

Another NBA franchise and another team that Wilt Chamberlain absolutely dominated in his career. It also happens to be a team he helped lead to a championship in 1967. In his career, Wilt would have 11 50-point games, four 60-point games, and a career-high against them with 70 points in 1963. In that game, Wilt would score 70 points on 27-38 shooting and 16-22 from the foul line. The Warriors would lose that game, 163-148.

Phoenix Suns – 14 Players – 1 50-Point Game

The fourth and final team who have never allowed a player to record multiple 50-point games against them is the Phoenix Suns. The Suns have allowed 14 50-point games in their history, the first of which came at the hands of Wilt Chamberlain in 1968-69 with 66 points. The most recent 50-point game against them would come in 2023-24 at the hands of both Luka Doncic and Jalen Brunson.

The other 11 players to record a 50-point game against the Phoenix Suns are Phil Smith, Pete Maravich, Freeman Williams, Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, Gilbert Arenas, Brandon Roy, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, and Stephen Curry.

Portland Trail Blazers – Michael Jordan And Kobe Bryant – 2 50-Point Games

Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are often referred to as two of the greatest scorers in NBA history. That sentiment rang particularly true when either of them took the court against the Portland Trail Blazers. Jordan had 53 and 52-point performances against Portland during the 1987 and 1988 seasons with the Bulls going 1-1 in those games. Bryant would have a 65-point game against them in 2007 which the Lakers won 116-11 and another 50-point game in 2006 that the Lakers also won, 110-99.

Sacramento Kings – Wilt Chamberlain – 18 50-Point Games

Wilt Chamberlain was also a primetime performer every time he took the court against the Sacramento Kings franchise back when they were known as the Royals during the 1960s and 1970s. Wilt’s 18 50-point games against the Kings are 14 more than Jerry West’s second-place four 50-point games he had in his career against them. Four of Wilt’s 50-point games went for over 60 points including his career-high 65 in 1962 in which he finished with 22 rebounds as well in a 152-132 blowout loss.

San Antonio Spurs – James Harden – 2 50-Point Games

Of the 11 players to have a 50-point game against the San Antonio Spurs, only James Harden was able to repeat that performance in his career. His first big game against the Spurs came in 2018-19 when he erupted for 61 points on 19-34 shooting and 9-13 from three in a win. In 2019-20, Harden would have another 50 points against the Spurs in a loss, shooting 11-37 from the field and an atrocious 4-20 from three.

Toronto Raptors – Kevin Durant – 2 50-Point Games

Only six players in NBA history have had a 50-point game against the Toronto Raptors. Of those six players, only Kevin Durant was able to do it twice in his career since 2008. In 2014 with the Thunder, Durant scored 51 points against the Raptors on 15-32 shooting and 7-12 from three. In 2018, Durant, now with the Warriors, had another 51 points against the Raptors. This time he shot 18-31 overall and 4-7 from three-point range.

Utah Jazz – Damian Lillard – 3 50-Point Games

In NBA history, Only Kobe Bryant and Damian Lillard have had multiple 50-point games against the Utah Jazz. Lillard leads the race with three such games ahead of Kobe’s two. After Lillard’s 51 and 59-point performances in 2017 and 2020, he sat tied with Bryant for three years. Then, in 2022-23, Lillard passed Bryant with an incredible 60-point performance while shooting 21-29 from the floor and 9-15 from beyond the arc.

Washington Wizards – Wilt Chamberlain – 14 50-Point Games

Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Tracy McGrady, and James Harden. All of these players were able to have more than one 50-point game against the Washington Wizards franchise in their careers. Despite their best efforts, none of them will ever catch Wilt Chamberlain’s 14 50-point games he recorded against them in his. In his career, Chamberlain had seven 55-point games against Washington, three 60-point games, and a career-high of 73 points in 1962. Chamberlain’s 73 points also came with 36 rebounds and on 29-48 shooting.

Ranking The NBA Players With The Most 50-Point Games Against Every NBA Team

1. Wilt Chamberlain – 19 50-Point Games vs. Los Angeles Lakers

T2. Wilt Chamberlain – 18 50-Point Games vs. New York Knicks

T2. Wilt Chamberlain – 18 50-Point Games vs. Detroit Pistons

T2. Wilt Chamberlain – 18 50-Point Games vs. Sacramento Kings

5. Wilt Chamberlain – 14 50-Point Games vs. Washington Wizards

6. Wilt Chamberlain – 11 50-Point Games vs. Philadelphia 76ers

7. Wilt Chamberlain – 9 50-Point Games vs. Atlanta Hawks

8. Wilt Chamberlain – 6 50-Point Games vs. Boston Celtics

9. Elgin Baylor – 4 50-Point Games vs. Golden State Warriors

T10. Michael Jordan – 3 50-Point Games vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

T10. Adrian Dantley – 3 50-Point Games vs. Denver Nuggets

T10. Kobe Bryant – 3 50-Point Games vs. Houston Rockets

T10. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 3 50-Point Games vs. Indiana Pacers

T10. Kobe Bryant – 3 50-Point Games vs. Memphis Grizzlies

T10. Damian Lillard – 3 50-Point Games vs. Utah Jazz

T16. Bernard King – 2 50-Point Games vs. Brooklyn Nets

T16. Michael Jordan – 2 50-Point Games vs. Charlotte Hornets

T16. Stephen Curry and Kobe Bryant – 2 50-Point Games vs. Dallas Mavericks

T16. Kobe Bryant – 2 50-Point Games vs. Los Angeles Clippers

T16. Michael Jordan and LeBron James – 2 50-Point Games vs. Milwaukee Bucks

T16. Devin Booker – 2 50-Point Games vs. New Orleans pelicans

T16. Wilt Chamberlain – 2 50-Point Games vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

T16. Michael Jordan and James Harden – 2 50-Point Games vs. Orlando Magic

T16. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant – 2 50-Point Games vs. Portland Trail Blazers

T16. James Harden – 2 50-Point Games vs. San Antonio Spurs

T16. Kevin Durant – 2 50-Point Games vs. Toronto Raptors

T27. 18 Players – 1 50-Point Games vs. Chicago Bulls

T27. 14 Players – 1 50-Point Games vs. Phoenix Suns

T27. 12 Players – 1 50-Point Games vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

T27. 10 Players – 1 50-Point Games vs. Miami Heat

There is certainly a lot to unpack from this list of NBA players with the most 50point games against every NBA team. The first glaring observation to be made is the sheer dominance of Wilt Chamberlain. Wilt leads the way against nine NBA franchises in 50-point games, including four franchises in which he had 18 or more 50-point games against in his career. Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan finish second to Wilt on this list, leading five different NBA franchises in 50-point games against.

The next observation to be made is the fact that the only player not named Wilt Chamberlain to have 4 or more 50-point games against any one NBA team in his career is Elgin Baylor with four against the Golden State Warriors. Only 5 different NBA players have three or more 50-point games against one NBA franchise, Kobe Bryant has done that twice.