David Robinson Scores 71 Points - April 24, 1994

On April 24, 1994, David Robinson delivered the highest-scoring game of his NBA career, exploding for 71 points as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 112-97 at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena.

Robinson played 44 minutes and made 26 of his 41 field-goal attempts, including one three-pointer, while going 18-for-25 from the free-throw line. He also collected 14 rebounds, handed out five assists and blocked two shots.

The performance came in San Antonio's final game of the 1993-94 regular season and had major historical significance. Robinson entered the day battling Orlando Magic center Shaquille O'Neal for the NBA scoring championship. His 71-point outburst raised his season average to 29.8 points per game and allowed him to finish ahead of O'Neal's 29.3.

Did Not Play - Coach's Decision: Dale Ellis, Willie Anderson

Robinson entered the final day of the 1993-94 regular season locked in a scoring-title race with Shaquille O'Neal of the Orlando Magic. Rather than treating the final game as an ordinary season finale, Robinson's Spurs teammates repeatedly looked for him on offense.

Robinson responded with the greatest scoring performance of his career. He scored 71 of San Antonio's 112 points, accounting for more than 63 percent of the Spurs' total offense by himself.

The 71 points raised Robinson's final scoring average to 29.8 points per game. O'Neal finished at 29.3, giving Robinson the only NBA scoring championship of his career.

Robinson's 71 points came on remarkably efficient shooting for such a high-volume performance. He made 26 of 41 field-goal attempts, a 63.4 percent success rate, and made one of his two three-point attempts.

He also attacked the free-throw line throughout the game, attempting 25 foul shots and making 18.

His scoring breakdown was 52 points from two-point and three-point field goals plus 18 points at the free-throw line, with his lone three-pointer included among his 26 made field goals.

Robinson did much more than score. He grabbed 14 rebounds, including four offensive rebounds, handed out five assists and blocked two shots.

The Spurs led only 37-35 at halftime. Both teams then scored 32 points in the third quarter, leaving San Antonio with a narrow 69-67 advantage entering the fourth.

San Antonio exploded for 43 points in the fourth quarter, while the Clippers scored 30. That final-period surge turned a two-point game into a 112-97 Spurs victory.

Robinson's teammates spent much of the afternoon feeding him the ball, but San Antonio still recorded 28 assists as a team.

The gap between Robinson and his teammates illustrates how extraordinary the performance was. Robinson scored 71 points; the other Spurs combined for only 41.

Dennis Rodman was San Antonio's second-highest scorer with eight points, but he contributed in his usual fashion by collecting a game-high 17 rebounds. Negele Knight and J.R. Reid each scored six points.

Robinson made 26 field goals by himself. The rest of the Spurs combined to make only 18.

Terry Dehere led Los Angeles with 26 points on 10-for-17 shooting. Dominique Wilkins and Loy Vaught each scored 16 points, while Harold Ellis added 14.

The Clippers actually forced 21 San Antonio turnovers and recorded 14 steals, but they could not overcome Robinson's scoring barrage.

Los Angeles shot 39-for-95 from the field while San Antonio finished 44-for-87.

The 71-point game capped one of the greatest individual seasons of Robinson's career. He finished the regular season averaging 29.8 points per game to win the NBA scoring championship.

Earlier that same season, Robinson had recorded another of the rarest performances in NBA history. On February 17, 1994, he posted 34 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists and 10 blocks against the Detroit Pistons for a quadruple-double.

View David Robinson's February 17, 1994 quadruple-double »

That means Robinson produced both an official quadruple-double and a 71-point game during the same regular season, two performances that remain among the most memorable statistical achievements of the 1990s.

The 71 points established Robinson's NBA career high and remain the San Antonio Spurs' franchise record for points scored by one player in a game.

His previous career high was 52 points against the Charlotte Hornets on January 16, 1993. He also scored 50 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on February 21, 1994, just two months before the 71-point finale.

The April 24 performance therefore exceeded Robinson's previous career high by 19 points.

Date: April 24, 1994

Location: Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California

Attendance: 16,005

Final Score: San Antonio Spurs 112, Los Angeles Clippers 97

David Robinson: 71 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks

Robinson Shooting: 26-for-41 FG, 1-for-2 3PT, 18-for-25 FT

Robinson Minutes: 44

Spurs Leading Rebounder: Dennis Rodman - 17 rebounds

Clippers Leading Scorer: Terry Dehere - 26 points

1993-94 Scoring Champion: David Robinson - 29.8 points per game

Officials: Ed Middleton, Nolan Fine, Hue Hollins

NBAHoopsOnline preserves historic NBA box scores and unusual statistical performances. If you notice an error, have additional information about this game, or know of another historic box score that should be added to the archive, please send the details.

When possible, include the game date, teams, statistical correction and a reliable source or original box score.

Send corrections, additions and updates to:
Rednecksbasketball@yahoo.com

Submissions will be reviewed before changes are made to the NBAHoopsOnline historical records.