1978 - David Thompson's 73 point game
coolstanley
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Happened on the final regular season game of 1977-78 season. Nicknamed the ''skywalker'' because of his incredible leaping ability and above the rim high flying dunks. Thompson in only his 2nd season in the NBA, was neck and neck with George Gervin going into the last game of the year. After Thompson scored 73 against the Pistons earlier in the day, Gervin knew he had to at least score 58 points to win the scoring title. Gervin then scored 63 points that night, and won the closest NBA scoring title in history on the final game of the season. Gervin won the title 27.22 to Thompson's 27.15 scoring average. Thompson's 73 points was the highest scoring game non Wilt Chamberlain until Kobe Bryant's 81 point game 28 years later in 2006. Thompson's 73 point game is still tied for the 4th highest game in NBA history.
2025 SEC bowl record 4-10
SEC bowl record vs BIG TEN last two years 2-8
Comments
That is pretty cool. about Thompson and Gervin!
Jordan scored 69 one time
I cannot believe Jordan isn't in the top group, wow
David Thompson was Michael Jordan's childhood hero. Both players are from North Carolina. Thompson won a National Championship at NC State. Jordan chose Thompson to induct him into the basketball Hall of Fame.
2025 SEC bowl record 4-10
SEC bowl record vs BIG TEN last two years 2-8
Out of these performances, I would say Thompson's game is the most impressive. At 6-4, he was a lot smaller than Wilt, and unlike a few of the other players on this list, there was no 3 point shot in 1978.
2025 SEC bowl record 4-10
SEC bowl record vs BIG TEN last two years 2-8
Wow I completely forgot about the 3 point shot being unavailable
That makes it that much more impressive
David Thompson.......aka Skywalker......he of the reported 48-inch vertical
hard to argue that claim when you see pictures like this
I have a good story about me meeting David Thompson at a local pub in Denver in the summer of 1975, after his rookie year in the ABA and my freshman year in college.
I talked to him and he agreed to join my summer league rec team and play hoops with me and my rec team homies.
After I talked with Thompson he gave me his phone number. I fill out the rec league team roster and turned it in to the rec center staff. Word spread that David Thompson (and Monte Towe) would be on my team and would play.
However, when I called Thompson to follow up and give him the rec league schedule the person answering the phone was always a young woman who told me Thompson was not available. After calling him multiple times over a week I got the hint that I would never hear from him. I never did.
That stinks, he was probably letting the alcohol do his talking at the pub