50+ point performances are becoming more of a norm for NBA players this 2022-23 season. It feels like every other week a player has a monster game that leaves fans and those at home in awe. It is almost midway through the NBA season and, ten players have scored 50 or more points.
Here is a look at the stellar performances of those players this season.
Donovan Mitchell
The Cleveland Cavalier's guard set a Cleveland record with 71 points and the most in NBA history in 17 years. Mitchell was very efficient from the field, shooting 22-of-34 FGs, 7-of-15 from the three, and 20-of-25 from the free throw line. Mitchell also contributed with 11 assists and eight rebounds as he helped his team secure a win over the Chicago Bulls 145-134. It marked a career-high in his outing.
Mitchell's 71 points are tied for the eight-highest in NBA history since the late great Kobe Bryant, who scored 81 points in 2006.
Luka Doncic
One of the most golden moments in the history of the NBA took is when Luka Doncic put on a ridiculous performance with 60 points, 21 rebounds, and ten assists. He is the first player in NBA history to record a 60-point triple-double. Doncic shot 21-of-31 from the field, and 16-of-22 from the charity strike as the Dallas Mavericks beat the New York Knicks 126-121. It is also a career-high in scoring for Doncic.
Luka also has two more outings this season, scoring 51 points against the San Antonio Spurs, and 50 points against the Houston Rockets.
Joel Embiid
-Arguably the best center in the league, Embiid is a walking bucket. He scored a career-high 59 points in a win against the Utah Jazz 105-98. Embiid was 19-of-28 from the floor, 20-of-24 free throws to go along with 11 rebounds, eight assists, and seven blocks.
Embiid scored the fifth-highest points in Sixers' franchise history. He stands alongside NBA greats Allen Iverson, who scored 60 points, and Wilt Chamberlain with 62, 65, and 68 points.
Embiid had another stellar scoring performance against the Charlotte Hornets this season with 53.
Devin Booker
The Phoenix Suns star guard Devin Booker erupted for 58 points against the New Orleans Pelicans in a 118-114 win. D. Book shot 21-of-35 FG's, 6-of-12 threes, and 10-of-15 from the line. However, it is Booker's third-best scoring performance in his career. In 2019, he scored 59 points against the Utah Jazz, and in 2017 he lit up the Boston Celtics with 70 points.
Booker also had another 50+ point outing this season against the Bulls. He scored 51 points in a 132-113 win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Maybe the most dominant force we've seen in this league since Shaquille O'Neal. Giannis put on a show against the Washington Wizards and delivered a 55-point game, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, in a 123-113 win for the Bucks. He went 20-of-33 shooting from the floor and a remarkable 15-of-16 at the free-throw line.
It is Antetokounmpo's career-high in points. His most memorable 50-point performance came in the 2021 NBA finals which he led the Milwaukee Bucks to their first NBA title in fifty years.
Anthony Davis
Davis scored 55 points on 22-of-30 from the floor, 9-of-9 from the free throw line, 17 rebounds, and three blocks as the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Washington Wizards 130-119. It is Davis's second-highest output in scoring. His career high is 59 points against the Detroit Pistons in 2016.
Davis is the 1st-player to have 50+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 3+ blocked shots on 70% shooting in a regular season game: since Patrick Ewing in 1990.
Klay Thompson
Thompson considered one of the best shooters to play the game came up big for Golden State Warriors as they defeated the Atlanta Hawks 143-141. Thompson scored 54 points shooting 21-of-39 from field goal range and 10-of-21 from three.
It is hard to recover after two major injuries, so it's good to see Klay have a breakout game. In 2019, he tore his ACL in a playoff game against the Toronto Raptors, and in 2020 he suffered a torn Achilles while practicing.
Pascal Siakam
The Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam posted a career-high and first 50-point game of his NBA career in a win over the New York Knicks, 113-106. Siakam shot the ball efficiently from the floor, shooting 17-of-25 and 16-of-18 from the charity strike. He ended the night in Madison Square Garden with 52 points.
Siakam is the fifth player in Raptor history to score 50 or more points in a game. Among the five is Vince Carter (51) in 2000, Terrance Ross (51) in 2014, Demar DeRozan (52) in 2018, and Fred Van Fleet (54) in 2021.
Darius Garland
Cleveland Cavaliers star Darius Garland displayed a masterful performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He finished the game with a career-high 51 points, but unfortunately, it was not enough as the Cavs fell short in a 129-124 loss. Garland shot 16-of-31 FG's, and an impressive 10-of-15 from behind the arc.
Garland's performance is 4th most in the Cavaliers' history. He is alongside his running mate Donovan Mitchell (71) in 2023, Lebron James (57) in 2017, and Kyrie Irving (57) in 2015.
Stephen Curry
"Chef Curry" delivered a 50-point game in a losing effort against the Phoenix Suns 130-119. He shot 17-of-28 inside the arc, 7-of-11 from behind the arc, and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line.
It is Curry's 11th 50-point game and first since 2021.