_0.png?itok=V1BGUGo_&ssl=1 "Five Things You Didn’t Know About Wilt Chamberlain’s NBA-Record-Setting 100-Point Game")
withering chamberlain He couldn’t use the “100” emoji on March 2, 1962, so he had to settle for a simple piece of paper to illustrate his level of mastery that night.
“The Big Dipper” note 100 points in 48 minutes of play in the Philadelphia Warriors’ win over the New York Knicks. Leading the Warriors to a 169–147 victory, Chamberlain broke his own single game record of 78 points, set on December 8, 1961, against the Los Angeles Lakers in a multi-overtime game.
Only one player has surpassed the 80-point mark since Chamberlain’s historic night: Kobe Bryant scored 81 against the Toronto Raptors on January 22, 2006.
In addition to Chamberlain reaching triple digits in scoring, What is the party really known for? Let’s go back 60 years to learn more about Chamberlain’s iconic performance.
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1. Wilt Chamberlain’s stats were insane, over 100 points
Chamberlain finished with 100 points. He shot 36-63 from the field (57.1%) and 28-32 from free throws (87.5%). Keep in mind that Chamberlain shot just 51.1% from the free throw line in his entire career, so making nearly 90% of his free throws in one game is something of an anomaly.
If he missed just one more free throw, he’d be at 99, somewhat less impressive.
In addition, Chamberlain grabbed 25 rebounds and dished out two assists. The NBA didn’t record blocks until the 1973-74 season, so it’s possible he had some. Maybe Chamberlain could have gotten a 100-point triple-double.
2. This was the perfect game for Chamberlain to score 100 points
All the pieces fit perfectly. The Knicks finished as the worst team in the East Division this season and lacked an inside player who could challenge Chamberlain. Knicks starting center Phil Jordan was out with the flu, though it may have been something else that kept him out.
“We knew he had a grudge”said Darral Imhoff (via the Los Angeles Times ), who took Jordan’s place in the starting lineup. Imhoff was in foul trouble throughout the game, leaving rookie Cleveland Buckner (7-foot-5) to battle with Chamberlain, and as everyone knows by now, that didn’t go well.
But let’s at least give credit to Buckner, who scored 33 points. He needed another 67 to reach his rival.
3. The Warriors forced all of their plays for Wilt when they saw that 100 points was possible
Chamberlain scored 41 points in the first half, which isn’t surprising considering he’s averaging 50.4 points per game all season. Chamberlain usually scored 50 or 60 points throughout his career, but this was different, especially when the crowd cheered him for 100 points.
Via NBA.com:
He scored 23 points in the first quarter and had 41 at halftime, then had 28 more in the third quarter and then the fans started yelling for Wilt the ball.
And that’s exactly what the Warriors did, laying on Chamberlain at every opportunity in the fourth quarter. The Knicks tried to foul other Philadelphia players to prevent Chamberlain from getting the ball, but the Warriors countered by fouling the other side to quickly regain possession.
Chamberlain caught a pass from Warriors guard Joe Ruklik, who played just eight minutes, and scored his final two points with 46 seconds left to the delight of the crowd.
4. The game was played in Hershey, not Philadelphia or New York
The Warriors were playing at home, but the team had to travel to Hersheypark Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Back then, the NBA was striving for bigger audiences and without the benefit of a huge television contract, teams had to reach out to fans directly. Matches on neutral ground were not that unusual, but the schedule presented a challenge for the players.
“We didn’t have hotels to go to or stay in because those things didn’t happen in those days”Chamberlain explains. “We went straight to the stadium, where we had to wait five or six hours for the game. But it turns out there was a shooting range on the field, an old gallery, so some of the guys went there and I started. firing rifles and other weapons and he didn’t fail. So if there was any hint that he would have a streak day, this was it for sure.” Chamberlain recounted.
5. The only thing more absurd than Chamberlain’s 100 points were his season averages.
Seriously, stop for a moment and think about this: 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds per game on 50.6% shooting from the field and 61.3% from free throws (career best, for TRUE). Chamberlain attempted nearly 40 field goals and 17 free throws per game.
But that’s not the best. Chamberlain averaged 48.5 minutes per game. If that drove you crazy, yes, NBA games are only 48 minutes long. However, the Warriors also played 10 overtimes that season, with Chamberlain playing 3,882 of a possible 3,890 minutes.
It’s safe to say we won’t be seeing any NBA players eclipse those numbers anytime soon.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
