60-Point Games In The NBA: 9 In The Last 13 Months, Just 10 From 1985-2004

We have witnessed some incredible scoring outbursts in the past week or so in the NBA, with Joel Embiid, Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, and Luka Doncic all hitting the 60-point mark. As a result, there have now been nine 60-point games in the league in the last 13 months, 

1. Luka Doncic: 60 points on December 27, 2023 vs. New York Knicks

2. Donovan Mitchell: 71 points on January 2, 2023 vs. Chicago Bulls

3. Damian Lillard: 60 points on January 25, 2023 vs. Utah Jazz

4. Damian Lillard: 71 points on February 26, 2023 vs. Houston Rockets

5. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 64 points on December 13, 2023 vs. Indiana Pacers

6. Joel Embiid: 70 points on January 22, 2024 vs. San Antonio Spurs

7. Karl-Anthony Towns: 62 points on January 22, 2024 vs. Charlotte Hornets

8. Luka Doncic: 73 points on January 26, 2024 vs. Atlanta Hawks

9. Devin Booker: 62 points on January 26, 2024 vs. Indiana Pacers

In contrast to this, there were only 10 60-point games registered in a 20-year span from 1985 to 2004.

1. Larry Bird: 60 points on March 12, 1985 vs. Atlanta Hawks

2. Michael Jordan: 61 points on March 4, 1987 vs. Detroit Pistons

3. Michael Jordan: 61 points on April 16, 1987 vs. Atlanta Hawks

4. Karl Malone: 61 points on January 27, 1990 vs. Milwaukee Bucks

5. Tom Chambers: 60 points on March 24, 1990 vs. Seattle SuperSonics

6. Michael Jordan: 69 points on March 28, 1990 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

7. Michael Jordan: 64 points on January 16, 1993 vs. Orlando Magic

8. David Robinson: 71 points on April 24, 1994 vs. Los Angeles Clippers

9. Shaquille O'Neal: 61 points on March 6, 2000 vs. Los Angeles Clippers

10. Tracy McGrady: 62 points on March 10, 2004 vs. Washington Wizards

It is a sign of just how much things have changed. If it wasn't for Michael Jordan, there would only have been six instances of a player recording a 60-point game in 20 years. Considering so many iconic players played in the league at the time, it really puts into perspective how much easier it has become to score now.

Kenyon Martin Went Off On The State Of Modern Day Defense

Many former players have expressed their unhappiness with what defense looks like in the league now. Before this 2023-24 season, Kenyon Martin had ripped the NBA for the state of modern-day defense.

"It's hard for me to watch because there's no resistance. How many guys averaged 30 this year? Like six, or seven guys? That's unheard of man," said Martin Sr. on the 'Podcast P' show. "Y'all can score, but not everybody is that dang good man."

Last season saw six players average at least 30.0 points per game, which is tied with 1961-62 for the most in league history. Over time, the NBA has implemented rules that have facilitated scoring, as that is what the casual fan wants to see. 

I didn't think anyone would ever match Wilt Chamberlain's record of 100 points in a game but the way things are going, you can no longer definitively rule it out. Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic seem to be the most likely ones who could pull it off at present, with Victor Wembanyama perhaps being one who might be able to do it in a few years.