The NBA has always been a stage for extraordinary individual performances, moments where a single player’s brilliance transcends the game itself. From Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point night to Michael Jordan’s flu game, history has been shaped by players who could take over the court and redefine what greatness looks like. In recent years, the league has evolved into a perimeter-focused era, where the three-point shot has become as dangerous as a thunderous dunk. As scoring records continue to be broken, there is now a rare and remarkable group of players who have etched their names into a unique corner of NBA history: Kobe Bryant, Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, and Damian Lillard are the only players ever to score 70 or more points in a single game while also hitting seven or more three-pointers. This elite club is not just about raw scoring, but about blending modern perimeter shooting with relentless offensive firepower, creating some of the most memorable performances the league has ever witnessed.
Kobe Bryant’s place in this group is both symbolic and iconic. On January 22, 2006, the Black Mamba delivered a performance that will forever stand among the greatest achievements in sports. Against the Toronto Raptors, Bryant scored 81 points, the second-highest total in NBA history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game. But what made Kobe’s feat even more impressive for modern standards was his ability to seamlessly combine mid-range mastery with the three-point shot. He hit seven threes that night, but it was the sheer volume and versatility of his scoring that made the game so legendary. Kobe was not just scoring off threes or dunks; he was hitting contested fadeaways, finishing tough drives, and sinking shots from every conceivable angle. His 81-point masterpiece was a testament to his work ethic, killer instinct, and ability to single-handedly dismantle an entire defense. While Bryant was already a three-time NBA champion by that point, this game solidified his status as one of the greatest scorers the sport has ever known. What’s most remarkable about Kobe’s inclusion in this club is that he did it during an era that hadn’t yet fully embraced the three-point revolution, proving that true scorers can thrive in any era.
Fast forward to today’s NBA, and Luka Doncic is carrying the torch of offensive brilliance into a new generation. Known for his dazzling playmaking and unshakable poise, Luka has rapidly established himself as one of the league’s most unstoppable offensive forces. On January 26, 2024, Doncic scored an astonishing 73 points against the Atlanta Hawks, hitting eight three-pointers along the way. At just 24 years old, he joined the rare air of players who can completely dominate every facet of the game while maintaining efficiency from deep. Luka’s performance wasn’t just about scoring; it was a display of calculated brilliance, using his footwork, size, and basketball IQ to pick apart the defense. What makes Doncic’s accomplishment so impressive is that he’s not considered a pure scorer in the traditional sense. He’s more often celebrated for his passing, rebounding, and ability to control tempo, but when he chooses to, he can put up points in bunches with almost effortless precision. Doncic’s 73-point outburst showed that he has not only the skillset but also the mental edge required to enter conversations reserved for all-time great scorers.
Donovan Mitchell’s name might surprise some, but his 71-point game against the Chicago Bulls on January 2, 2023, was one of the most explosive and unexpected performances in recent memory. Known as an athletic shooting guard with a knack for scoring, Mitchell elevated his game to historic levels that night, hitting 7 three-pointers and relentlessly attacking the rim. Mitchell’s ability to create his own shot from anywhere on the floor made him impossible to defend, but what truly stood out was the way he combined aggression with efficiency. He didn’t just jack up shots; he played within the flow of the game while still putting up a point total that would make legends proud. Mitchell’s inclusion in this elite club serves as a reminder that scoring explosions are not just reserved for MVP frontrunners or all-time icons; they can come from players who seize the moment and have the ability to push past their limits. His 71-point performance was a defining moment in his career, proving he’s more than capable of carrying a team on his back and producing the kind of historic nights that fans will talk about for decades.
Damian Lillard, often dubbed “Dame Time” for his clutch shooting, might be the most fitting modern representative of this unique scoring club. Known for his deep three-point range and fearless mentality, Lillard’s 71-point masterpiece on February 26, 2023, against the Houston Rockets was an offensive clinic. Hitting 13 three-pointers that night, Dame showcased the evolution of the NBA’s offensive style, where pulling up from 30 feet is now a weapon rather than a desperation shot. Lillard’s performance was not just about numbers; it was about the manner in which he scored them. Time and again, he drilled shots from well beyond the arc, broke down defenders with quick first steps, and attacked the basket with ferocity. Lillard’s 71-point game wasn’t just historic; it felt like a culmination of years of sharpening his craft, of building a reputation as one of the greatest shooters in the league’s history. He has long been respected for his scoring ability, but this performance etched his name alongside the legends, proving he can dominate a game in ways few players ever could.
The unique connection between Kobe, Luka, Mitchell, and Lillard lies not just in the numbers they posted, but in the way they represent the evolution of NBA scoring. Kobe’s 81-point game was a product of relentless mid-range mastery with a sprinkle of three-point shooting. In contrast, Lillard’s 71-point performance leaned heavily on deep threes, reflecting how the game has shifted towards perimeter play. Luka’s ability to combine modern step-back threes with old-school footwork and Mitchell’s relentless attacking style show how today’s stars blend different eras of scoring into a single package. Each of these players scored 70 or more points while hitting at least seven threes, which might seem like a statistical footnote but is actually a reflection of how rare it is to dominate from both distance and volume in the same game. It requires not only skill but stamina, mental toughness, and the willingness to take over when the moment calls for it.
The significance of this historic scorers club goes beyond the box score. For Kobe, his 81 points served as a defining moment that further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever live. For Lillard, his 71-point performance was a personal triumph and proof that even in an era filled with superstars, he can still shine brighter than anyone else on any given night. For Mitchell, it was a breakout statement, a reminder that his offensive ceiling is as high as anyone’s in the league. And for Luka, it was yet another piece of evidence that he’s not just a future MVP but a generational talent capable of rewriting history books.
As the NBA continues to evolve, the benchmark for legendary scoring nights will likely keep shifting. Players are more skilled, the pace is faster, and the emphasis on three-point shooting creates more opportunities for explosive scoring. Yet even with all these factors, performances like these remain exceptionally rare. Scoring 70 points in an NBA game is already a feat that only a handful of players have ever accomplished. To do it while hitting seven or more threes requires a perfect storm of hot shooting, stamina, and the unwavering confidence to take—and make—every big shot.
Looking at this club, one can’t help but wonder who might be next. Could Stephen Curry, the greatest shooter in history, join this group with a perfect shooting night? Could young stars like Anthony Edwards or Jayson Tatum have a scoring explosion of this magnitude? Time will tell, but what is clear is that the standard set by Kobe, Luka, Mitchell, and Lillard is a high bar for any scorer to reach. They have demonstrated that it’s not just about hitting shots but about seizing the moment, embracing the pressure, and creating something unforgettable.
These four players stand as a testament to the beauty of basketball when a scorer gets into an unstoppable rhythm. Whether it’s Kobe’s fadeaways, Lillard’s deep bombs, Luka’s step-backs, or Mitchell’s acrobatic drives, each performance tells a story of determination, skill, and excellence. The Historic Scorers Club isn’t just a statistical quirk; it’s a celebration of the players who can elevate the game to something almost artistic, blending precision, power, and creativity into a single unforgettable night. For fans, these performances are more than just highlights—they are memories etched into the history of the sport, reminders of why basketball continues to captivate hearts and inspire the next generation of players.
