Most Points Scored by a Player in an ABA Game

The American Basketball Association was known for its high-scoring stars, fast-paced offense and three-point field goal. During its nine seasons from 1967 through 1976, the ABA featured some of the most prolific offensive players in professional basketball history, including Julius Erving, Rick Barry, Connie Hawkins, George McGinnis, Spencer Haywood and George Gervin.

The ABA single-game scoring record belongs to Larry Miller of the Carolina Cougars, who scored 67 points against the Memphis Pros on March 18, 1972. Miller's performance surpassed the previous league record of 63 points, established by Utah Stars center Zelmo Beaty less than a month earlier.

The league's scoring history also includes a 63-point performance by Julius Erving in a remarkable four-overtime game, 62 points by Stew Johnson, 59 by Spencer Haywood and numerous 50-point games by some of basketball's greatest offensive players.

The following records cover ABA regular-season games. All performances listed are from the league's nine-year existence, and the statistics remain separate from official NBA records.

Larry Miller established the ABA's all-time single-game scoring record on March 18, 1972, when he scored 67 points for the Carolina Cougars against the Memphis Pros. Carolina won the game 139-125.

What made Miller's performance particularly remarkable was that he scored all 67 points without making a three-point field goal. He converted 25 two-point field goals and 17 free throws, producing one of the greatest scoring performances in professional basketball history.

Miller's 67-point total surpassed Zelmo Beaty's previous ABA record of 63 points, which had been set February 21, 1972. No player exceeded Miller's total during the remaining four seasons of the ABA.

Although Miller did not have the same lasting national recognition as Julius Erving, Rick Barry or George Gervin, his 67-point game remains one of the league's most important individual statistical achievements.

The table below lists 28 documented ABA regular-season performances of at least 50 points, ordered from highest to lowest. The teams are identified by the names used during the respective seasons.

Hover over any row to highlight the entire scoring performance. On mobile devices, swipe horizontally to view the complete table.

Players tied in points share the same ranking. This table contains 28 documented scoring performances, rather than a claim that no other ABA 50-point games occurred. Additional verified performances can be added as historical sources become available.

Several ABA players established new individual scoring standards during the league's nine-season history. The record increased rapidly during the early 1970s, culminating in Larry Miller's 67-point performance.

Spencer Haywood scored 59 points for the Denver Rockets against the Los Angeles Stars on April 15, 1970. The following season, Stew Johnson surpassed that mark by scoring 62 points for the Pittsburgh Condors against The Floridians on March 6, 1971.

Utah Stars center Zelmo Beaty increased the record to 63 points on February 21, 1972, against Pittsburgh. Less than four weeks later, Larry Miller scored 67 for the Carolina Cougars against Memphis.

Miller's record remained unbeaten through the final ABA season in 1975-76. Julius Erving matched Beaty's 63-point total in 1975 but did not surpass Miller.

The table highlights the major documented record increases from 1970 through 1972, rather than every scoring record set since the league's first game in 1967.

Julius Erving - 63 Points in Four Overtimes (1975)

On February 14, 1975, Julius Erving scored 63 points for the New York Nets against the San Diego Conquistadors in one of the highest-scoring games in ABA history. Erving played 66 minutes and grabbed 23 rebounds during the extraordinary four-overtime contest.

Despite Erving's scoring performance, San Diego defeated New York 176-166. The two teams combined for 342 points, setting the ABA record for combined scoring in a game. Erving's 63 points tied Zelmo Beaty for the second-highest individual total in league history.

Zelmo Beaty - 63 Points for the Utah Stars (1972)

Zelmo Beaty established a new ABA scoring record with 63 points against the Pittsburgh Condors on February 21, 1972. Beaty was one of the league's most accomplished centers and had helped lead the Utah Stars to the 1971 ABA championship.

His 63-point performance remained the league record for less than a month before Larry Miller scored 67 points against the Memphis Pros.

Stew Johnson - 62 Points for Pittsburgh (1971)

Stew Johnson scored 62 points for the Pittsburgh Condors against The Floridians on March 6, 1971. His performance surpassed Spencer Haywood's previous record of 59 points and stood as the ABA's highest single-game total until Beaty's 63-point performance in February 1972.

Spencer Haywood - 59 Points for Denver (1970)

Spencer Haywood scored 59 points for the Denver Rockets against the Los Angeles Stars on April 15, 1970. Haywood was the ABA's MVP and Rookie of the Year during the 1969-70 season, averaging 30.0 points and 19.5 rebounds per game.

His performance demonstrated why he was regarded as one of the most talented young players in professional basketball.

George McGinnis - 58 Points Against Dallas (1972)

George McGinnis scored 58 points for the Indiana Pacers against the Dallas Chaparrals on November 28, 1972. McGinnis was one of the ABA's most physically dominant forwards and helped Indiana win championships in 1972 and 1973.

Connie Hawkins - 57 Points for Minnesota (1968)

Connie Hawkins scored 57 points for the Minnesota Pipers against the New York Nets on November 27, 1968. Hawkins had won the ABA's inaugural MVP award the previous season while leading the Pittsburgh Pipers to the 1968 championship.

Louie Dampier - 55 Points for Kentucky (1970)

Louie Dampier scored 55 points for the Kentucky Colonels against the Dallas Chaparrals on March 7, 1970. Dampier was one of the ABA's most effective long-distance shooters and eventually finished as the league's all-time leader in career points and assists.

Rick Barry - 55 Points for Washington (1970)

Rick Barry scored 55 points for the Washington Caps against the Denver Rockets on March 1, 1970. Barry had already established himself as an elite NBA scorer before joining the ABA and remained one of professional basketball's most dangerous offensive players.

George Gervin - 51 Points for San Antonio (1975)

George Gervin scored 51 points for the San Antonio Spurs against the Memphis Sounds on February 5, 1975. Remarkably, Gervin went scoreless in the first quarter before producing his 51-point total over the remainder of the game.

Gervin later became one of the NBA's greatest scorers after San Antonio joined the league in 1976.

John Brisker - Multiple 50-Point Games

John Brisker was one of the ABA's most explosive scorers during his time with the Pittsburgh franchise. He recorded 53 points against Indiana in November 1970, 50 against the Texas Chaparrals the following day, and 52 against Carolina in February 1972.

His scoring achievements remain a significant part of the history of the Pittsburgh Condors.

Several players appear multiple times among the 28 performances listed above. Rick Barry and Julius Erving each recorded four of these scoring games, while John Brisker appears three times.

The ABA and NBA maintained separate statistical records during their years as competing leagues. When four ABA franchises joined the NBA in 1976, their previous ABA statistics were not incorporated into the NBA's official historical totals.

Larry Miller's 67-point performance remains the ABA's single-game scoring record. The NBA's single-game record belongs to Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962.

Although the ABA's individual scoring record was lower than the NBA's, the rival league produced numerous exceptional scoring performances. Its three-point line, offensive pace and talented players helped establish a style that would influence professional basketball long after the ABA ceased operations.

The NBA adopted the three-point field goal in 1979, three years after the ABA's final season.

Who scored the most points in a single ABA game?

Larry Miller scored 67 points for the Carolina Cougars against the Memphis Pros on March 18, 1972. Carolina won the game 139-125.

Did Larry Miller make any three-pointers in his 67-point game?

No. Miller scored all 67 points on 25 two-point field goals and 17 free throws.

Who scored the second-most points in an ABA game?

Zelmo Beaty and Julius Erving each scored 63 points. Beaty accomplished the feat in 1972, while Erving matched it in 1975.

How many points did Julius Erving score in his highest-scoring ABA game?

Julius Erving scored 63 points for the New York Nets against the San Diego Conquistadors on February 14, 1975, in a four-overtime game.

Who scored 62 points in an ABA game?

Stew Johnson scored 62 points for the Pittsburgh Condors against The Floridians on March 6, 1971.

What was George Gervin's highest-scoring ABA game?

George Gervin scored 51 points for the San Antonio Spurs against the Memphis Sounds on February 5, 1975.

Are ABA scoring records included in NBA statistics?

No. The NBA maintains ABA statistical records separately from its official NBA records, even for players and franchises that later joined the NBA.

Did the ABA have a three-point line?

Yes. The ABA used a three-point field goal throughout its existence from 1967 through 1976. The NBA introduced its own three-point line for the 1979-80 season.

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