The Highest Points Scored Against the OKC Thunder in NBA History

The Oklahoma City Thunder franchise has a storied history dating back to 1967, when it entered the NBA as the Seattle SuperSonics. Relocating to Oklahoma from the Northwest prior to the 2008 season, the team has seen a number of impressive individual performances by some of the biggest names in league history, whether against the Thunder or the SuperSonics. 

1. Tom Chambers - 60 Points 

While he had an impressive run in Seattle, becoming an All-Star, Tom Chambers truly became a star in Phoenix, becoming a three-time All-Star and a top 10 MVP candidate. After the Sonics decided not to re-sign the 6’10 power forward at the end of the 1987-88 season, he came back to haunt them a year and a half later. On March 24, 1990, the Phoenix forward torched his old team for a franchise-record 60 points in a dominant 121-95 Suns victory. Chambers shot 22-of-32 from the field and 16-of-18 from the free throw line while adding 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal in 42 minutes. The Suns' star didn't attempt a single three-pointer, doing all of his damage from the mid-range and paint. Chambers scored 21 of Phoenix's first 29 points, then opened the second quarter with 18 straight for the Suns on his way to a career-high night.

2. LaMarcus Aldridge - 56 Points 

LaMarcus Aldridge put together one of the most efficient scoring nights in NBA history on January 10, 2019, dropping 56 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs past the Oklahoma City Thunder 154-147 in double overtime. Aldridge shot 20-of-33 from the field and a perfect 16-of-16 from the free throw line in 49 minutes to record his first 50-point game. He added 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks without attempting a single three-pointer, becoming the first player to score 56-plus points without a three-point attempt since Shaquille O'Neal's 61-point performance in 2000. The Spurs needed Aldridge's 26 points in the fourth quarter and overtime periods to overcome Russell Westbrook's 24-point, 24-assist, 13-rebound triple-double. 

3. Wilt Chamberlain - 53 Points

Wilt Chamberlain was the first player to score 50+ points against the expansion SuperSonics, accomplishing the feat twice in three weeks. Hitting a personal best 53-points against the Sonics on December 20, 1967, the Philadelphia 76ers center shot 20-of-23 from the field and added 13-of-26 from the free throw line while grabbing 38 rebounds and dishing 6 assists in 45 minutes. As with any team in its first season, the SuperSonics struggled to compete with the defending NBA champions, falling 160-122. Chamberlain dominated the entire Sonics frontcourt by himself, controlling both ends of the floor in typical Big Dipper fashion. 

Note: Chamberlain also recorded 52 points against the SuperSonics on December 1, 1967, just three weeks earlier.

4. Bob McAdoo - 52 Points

Bob McAdoo, the Buffalo Braves' three-time scoring champion, lit up the SuperSonics for 52 points on March 17, 1976. McAdoo shot 18-of-26 from the field and 16-of-22 from the line while also adding 11 rebounds in 45 minutes. The 6’9” McAdoo's combination of size, skill, and scoring touch made him one of the most difficult players in the league to defend, and Seattle had no answer for him on this night. However, the Braves forward couldn’t carry his team to victory as Downtown Freddie Brown came off the Sonics bench to lead his team to a 122-111 win with 37 points. 

5. Antawn Jamison - 51 Points

Antawn Jamison put on a show in Seattle on December 3, 2000, scoring 51 points for the Golden State Warriors despite a 125-109 loss to the SuperSonics. Jamison shot 23-of-36 from the field, 2-of-7 from three, and 3-of-4 from the line while grabbing 14 rebounds in 48 minutes. The former North Carolina star had his best statistical season in his third year, averaging over 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. Despite his personal performance, the SuperSonics' balanced attack proved too much for the Warriors, with Gary Payton’s team-high 38 points and 12 assists leading the way as four other Seattle players scored in double figures. Kevin Love (March 23, 2012) and Damian Lillard (March 7, 2019) also reached the 51-point mark against the Thunder.