NBA Players With 30+ Points Without Making a 2-Point Field Goal

Scoring 30 points in an NBA game without making a two-point field goal is an unusual statistical accomplishment. Every point in these performances came from behind the three-point line or at the free-throw line.

A player does not have to avoid two-point attempts entirely to qualify. The requirement for this list is simply zero made two-point field goals. Some players missed one or more attempts from inside the three-point line, while others never attempted a two-point shot at all.

Joe Dumars holds the highest-scoring performance currently documented in this category. On November 8, 1994, Dumars scored 40 points for the Detroit Pistons despite failing to make a two-point field goal.

Dumars attempted only one two-point shot. He instead made 10 three-pointers on 18 attempts and was perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. Those two sources accounted for all 40 of his points.

The performance is particularly remarkable considering the era. The NBA was still years away from the enormous increase in three-point volume that would transform offensive basketball during the 2010s and 2020s.

On March 6, 2022, Utah's Bojan Bogdanović scored 35 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder while making 11 three-point field goals. He shot 11-for-18 from three-point range, missed his only two-point attempt and made both of his free throws.

The 11 three-pointers established an NBA record for the most three-point field goals made in a game by a player who did not make a two-point field goal. Utah defeated Oklahoma City 116-103.

Bogdanović is also notable because he appears twice on this list. On December 17, 2019, he scored 32 points for Utah while going 8-for-13 from three, 8-for-10 from the free-throw line and 0-for-5 on two-point attempts.

Dāvis Bertāns produced an even more unusual version of the feat on February 17, 2021. Playing for Washington, Bertāns scored a career-high 35 points while going 9-for-11 from three-point range and 8-for-8 at the free-throw line.

Unlike most players on this list, Bertāns did not simply fail to make a two-point field goal — he did not attempt one. At the time, the performance made him the first player in NBA history to score at least 30 points without attempting a two-point field goal.

The list demonstrates how dramatically different scoring profiles can produce the same unusual result. Devonte' Graham scored 30 of his 33 points from three-point range, while Jerry Stackhouse scored more than half of his 33 points at the free-throw line.

Chauncey Billups followed a similar route to Stackhouse. Only 12 of his 30 points came from three-pointers, while 18 came at the free-throw line. Joe Dumars, by comparison, combined 30 points from three-pointers with 10 free throws to reach 40.

Bogdanović's 2022 performance represents the most extreme three-point version of the record: 33 of his 35 points came from behind the arc.

The original NBAHoopsOnline table also included Duncan Robinson, even though his performance fell one point short of the 30-point requirement. It is retained here as a notable near miss.

Robinson made nine three-pointers and two free throws without attempting a two-point field goal. One additional free throw would have placed him on the 30-point list.

For most of NBA history, a 30-point game without a made two-point basket was extraordinarily unlikely. The NBA did not even adopt the three-point line until the 1979-80 season, and teams initially used the shot sparingly.

As three-point attempts increased across the league, high-volume perimeter specialists gained a realistic path to 30 points without scoring inside the arc. The concentration of qualifying games in the modern era reflects the changing geometry of NBA offense: players can now accumulate most or all of a high-scoring night from three-point range.

Even in the modern NBA, however, the achievement remains unusual. Players who are shooting well from three are normally forced off the line at some point, leading to drives, mid-range attempts or other two-point opportunities.

Highest-scoring game: Joe Dumars — 40 points, November 8, 1994.

Most three-pointers: Bojan Bogdanović — 11, March 6, 2022.

Most free throws made: Jerry Stackhouse and Chauncey Billups — 18.

Fewest two-point attempts: Dāvis Bertāns — 0.

Multiple qualifying games: Bojan Bogdanović is represented twice, with 32 points in 2019 and 35 points in 2022.

This record is based on games played during the NBA three-point era. The three-point field goal was introduced for the 1979-80 NBA season.

NBAHoopsOnline continues to preserve unusual and historically significant NBA statistical performances. If you know of another NBA player who scored at least 30 points without making a two-point field goal, or notice an error in this list, please send the information.

When submitting a performance, please include the player, date, teams, final score and complete shooting statistics when available.

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