Bam Adebayo’s 83 points trail only Wilt Chamberlain’s 100, but why is there no video of the 7-foot legend’s record night?

Bam Adebayo delivered a historic performance for the Miami Heat during the Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards game, recording 83 points in one of the most remarkable outings in recent NBA games. The massive career-high record for Bam Adebayo immediately placed the Heat star among the greatest single-game scorers in league history. His scoring night surpassed the famous kobe 81 point game by Kobe Bryant, giving Adebayo the second-most points scored in an NBA game.

Only Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point performance from 1962 still stands above Adebayo on the all-time list of the most points in NBA game history. Despite being the highest-scoring NBA game performance ever, there is no video footage of Chamberlain’s historic night.

Why was there no video Footage of Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game?

In the early 1960s, the NBA was still a small league with limited television coverage and very few national broadcast deals. Games were rarely televised, and many were played in smaller venues across different cities to attract fans.

Chamberlain’s record game took place on March 2, 1962, when the Philadelphia Warriors hosted the New York Knicks in Hershey, 85 miles from Philadelphia. “His [Chamberlain's] amazing performance wasn’t televised and there is no videotape of the game,” the Library of Congress explained.

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A partial radio recording of the fourth quarter survived after a college student managed to record it using a homemade antenna. That recording later became part of the Library of Congress Registry, meaning the historic night is preserved mostly through audio, box scores, photographs, and eyewitness accounts rather than video.

Because of this, the most points scored in an NBA game remains one of the sport’s greatest legendary performances but also one of its biggest historical events not videographed.

What happened in Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game?

Chamberlain dominated the night from the start. The Warriors quickly built a 19–3 lead, while the Knicks tried to keep the game close.

By halftime, Chamberlain had already scored 41 points, though such performances were not unusual for him during that season. As the game progressed, his scoring pace accelerated, and the crowd began to realize history was unfolding.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Knicks attempted unusual tactics, fouling other Warriors players to stop Philadelphia from getting the ball to Chamberlain and holding possession to run down the clock.

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Even with those efforts, Chamberlain kept scoring. With just 46 seconds remaining, he dunked the ball to reach 100 points, triggering chaos inside the arena as fans rushed the court.

The game eventually finished with the Warriors defeating the Knicks 169–147, which at the time became the highest combined scoring NBA game ever.

More than six decades later, Chamberlain’s record still stands as the most points scored in an NBA game, a milestone that players like Adebayo continue to chase after unforgettable nights in modern NBA scores and NBA games.

Who was Wilt Chamberlain?

Wilt Chamberlain (1936–1999) was one of the most dominant and physically gifted athletes in basketball history, who also holds the record of scoring the most points (100) in a single NBA game. Standing more than 7 feet tall with exceptional strength, speed, and endurance, he became known for overpowering opponents and redefining what a basketball center could do on the court.

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Born in Philadelphia, Chamberlain grew up in a large working-class family and quickly stood out because of his height and athletic ability. As a teenager he excelled in multiple sports, especially track and field, but eventually focused on basketball. He became a national sensation while playing at the University of Kansas and later in the National Basketball Association.

Nicknamed the “Big Dipper,” Chamberlain was famous for his scoring dominance and record-breaking performances. His most iconic achievement came in 1962 when he scored 100 points in a single NBA game, still the highest scoring performance in league history. Beyond basketball, Chamberlain’s larger-than-life personality and athletic feats made him one of the most legendary figures in sports.