8 Most Likely NBA Players to Score 80 Points in a Game

John Canady
Host · Writer
Honorable Mention: Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
Cam Thomas may be the youngest name on this list, but the Nets sparkplug has quickly made a name for himself as an elite scorer. With his career-high of 47 points in 2023, Thomas has already scored 40+ points six times in a short time. As he develops into a more balanced scorer, the LSU prospect could join some legends atop the history books.
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker has proved time after time that he is one of the league's best scorers. With his ability to shoot from all over the court and create his own shot off the dribble, he's a nightmare for opposing defenses. The former Kentucky standout had a career-high of 70 points in 2017 and a 62-point outing already this season. Booker could be the next elite scorer to reach the 80-point mark.
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Luka Doncic is one of the most recent players to nearly reach the 80-point mark. In Friday's matchup against the Hawks, the Slovenian star was unstoppable, scoring 73 points on the road in Atlanta. Doncic is another player who can make a defense pay from all spots on the court. At only 24 years old, Doncic's craftiness on offense and shooting ability put him in the conversation to reach 80 points at some point in his career.
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
There's no doubt that Stephen Curry had to make this list. Curry is undeniably one of the best shooters the game has ever seen. With his elite shooting and ability to make some ridiculous shots, Curry hitting 80+ points in a game wouldn't be a surprise. With a career-high of 62 points, the two-time MVP could look to reset this mark at any time.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo may be one of the best athletes the NBA has ever seen. The length and strength to will his way to the basket makes him nearly impossible to stop. Antetokounmpo can sometimes take the game into his own hands and dictate how many points he will score each night. Who knows how many points he could get if the "Greek Freak" ever develops a consistent jump shot?
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell has shown he can take over a game in a heartbeat. With his 71-point performance against the Bulls in 2023, the playmaker has shown he has what it takes to get to that next level of scoring. Mitchell can get going any night, and a chance to chase 80 points may be on the cards for the Cavaliers' guard.
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid may be one of the more dominant big men the NBA has seen. With his ability to score in the post and space the floor on offense as a shooter, Embiid is a force on offense. In the team's recent matchup against the Spurs, the big man broke Wilt Chamberlain's franchise point record after his 70-point night. Embiid could break his record and reset the mark, perhaps in the 90-point club.
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum is another example of an all-around elite scorer. The former No. 3 overall selection has already had many high-scoring spouts in his young career, but his 60-point game against the Spurs in 2021 is his current high. Tatum has shown that he can torch any defense in the league when he gets a hot hand. With his ability to score at will, the Celtics star is a name to monitor.
Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
Kevin Durant is arguably one of the purest scorers in NBA history. Durant can score with the best of them and may be one of the best at creating his own shot. Although his career high is only 55 points, the former MVP is a name nobody would be surprised to see in the 80-point club before he retires.
Honorable Mention: Cam Thomas, Brooklyn Nets
Cam Thomas may be the youngest name on this list, but the Nets sparkplug has quickly made a name for himself as an elite scorer. With his career-high of 47 points in 2023, Thomas has already scored 40+ points six times in a short time. As he develops into a more balanced scorer, the LSU prospect could join some legends atop the history books.
Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
Devin Booker has proved time after time that he is one of the league's best scorers. With his ability to shoot from all over the court and create his own shot off the dribble, he's a nightmare for opposing defenses. The former Kentucky standout had a career-high of 70 points in 2017 and a 62-point outing already this season. Booker could be the next elite scorer to reach the 80-point mark.
