On March 2, 1962, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Wilt Chamberlain achieved one of the most iconic and seemingly untouchable records in all of professional sports: scoring 100 points in a single NBA game. This feat, accomplished while playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks, has stood for decades as the gold standard of individual dominance in basketball.
The game took place at the Hershey Sports Arena, an unassuming venue more known for minor league hockey and entertainment events than for NBA history. It was common in that era for teams to play �home� games in smaller venues to reach broader fan bases. Only 4,124 fans were in attendance�many of whom did not realize at the time they were about to witness basketball history.
At the time, Chamberlain was already a dominant force in the league. Standing 7-foot-1 and possessing a rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism, he had been shattering records since his debut in 1959. The 1961�62 season was particularly remarkable for Wilt; he averaged 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game�a statistical anomaly that still defies belief.
From the opening tip, Chamberlain asserted his dominance. By halftime, he had scored 41 points. Teammates quickly recognized that something special was unfolding and began feeding him the ball with increasing regularity. By the end of the third quarter, he had reached 69 points.
The fourth quarter was a frantic race against the clock, both to reach 100 and to keep the Knicks from stalling. The Knicks, realizing what was happening, tried to triple-team Chamberlain and slow down the game, even committing intentional fouls to regain possession. Warriors players, in turn, fouled the Knicks quickly to get the ball back and feed it to Chamberlain.
With under a minute remaining, Wilt finally scored his 100th point on a short shot from near the basket. The crowd erupted, and fans stormed the court in celebration. The game was momentarily stopped, and although Chamberlain played the final seconds, he did not score again. The final score was Warriors 169, Knicks 147.
Chamberlain�s stat line for the night was jaw-dropping
- 100 points on 36-of-63 shooting from the field
- 28-of-32 from the free throw line�a notable anomaly for a player with a career free throw percentage below 51%
- 25 rebounds
The 100-point game became the crown jewel of Chamberlain�s legendary career. While he won four MVPs and two NBA championships, and led the league in both scoring and rebounding multiple times, no single performance better encapsulates his dominance.
In the decades since, no player has come particularly close. Kobe Bryant�s 81-point game in 2006 is the second-highest in league history, and even that performance was widely considered improbable. Chamberlain�s 100 points remain a singular achievement, often cited as the most unbreakable record in professional basketball.
Interestingly, there is no known full video footage of the game, as it was not televised. Only audio recordings, newspaper accounts, and a famous photograph of Wilt holding a handwritten �100� sign in the locker room remain. That simple black-and-white photo has become one of the most iconic images in sports history.
Over time, Chamberlain�s 100-point game has taken on an almost mythical status. The lack of video adds to its legend�fans must rely on eyewitness accounts and preserved box scores. His performance not only set a record but helped elevate the NBA�s profile in a time when the league was still fighting for mainstream attention.
The game also raised questions and debates that persist to this day: Was Wilt simply too physically dominant for his era? Could anyone ever match such a performance in the modern game? Was the context�smaller arena, weaker defense, strategic fouling�crucial to the achievement?
While the NBA has evolved drastically in terms of pace, rules, and style, Chamberlain�s 100-point game remains an eternal benchmark. It�s not just a basketball record�it�s a symbol of human potential, of what can happen when preparation, opportunity, and greatness collide.
Wilt Chamberlain�s 100-point game is more than just a record; it�s a monumental moment in sports history that continues to inspire awe and admiration. Over 60 years later, it stands as a towering reminder of what one individual can accomplish against the odds. Even as new generations of players continue to push the limits of scoring, Wilt�s century mark remains untouched�a testament to the most dominant performance in basketball history.
