The Highest Points Scored Against the Utah Jazz in NBA History

After the New Orleans Jazz joined the NBA in 1974 and relocated to Utah in 1979, the franchise has had its fair share of spectacular offensive performances by Hall-of-Fame talent, but it has also been part of some of the most impressive individual scoring performances by opposing players. 

1. George Gervin - 63 Points 

On the final day of the 1977-78 season, George Gervin delivered one of the most clutch performances in NBA history, scoring 63 points to beat out David Thompson for the NBA scoring title in a 153-132 loss to the New Orleans Jazz. The San Antonio Spurs star shot 23-of-49 from the field and added 17 free throws in the duel between two Hall of Famers. On the afternoon of April 9, 1978, Thompson had scored 73 points against Detroit, finishing the season with a scoring average of 27.15. Gervin, sitting at 26.8, needed 58 points to win the title. Spurs coach Doug Moe created a game plan to give Gervin as many shots as he needed to overtake Thompson. Gervin was on fire from the start, scoring 20 in the first quarter and 33 more in the second. He reached 58 midway through the third quarter and added four more before sitting out the rest of the game. Gervin finished with a 27.22 scoring average to Thompson's 27.15, winning the closest individual scoring race in NBA history by just .07 points. 

2. Damian Lillard - 60 Points 

Damian Lillard produced the most efficient 60-point game in NBA history on January 25, 2023, scoring 60 points on just 29 shot attempts in the Portland Trail Blazers' 134-124 victory over the Utah Jazz. Lillard shot 21-of-29 from the field, hit 9-of-15 from three-point range, and went 9-for-10 from the free-throw line while adding eight assists, seven rebounds, and three steals in 40 minutes. After scoring 19 points in the first quarter, the Blazers took a two-point lead at the half off a 47-point second quarter. Lillard caught fire in the second half, scoring 20 straight points for the Blazers to end the third quarter, shooting 7-of-9 from the field with three 3-pointers. No matter who the Jazz put in front of him, from Mike Conley to Collin Sexton, Lillard was operating on “Dame Time” throughout the whole night. 

3. Kobe Bryant - 60 Points 

Kobe Bryant delivered the greatest final game performance in sports history on April 13, 2016, scoring 60 points in his final NBA game to carry the Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-96 victory over the Utah Jazz at Staples Center. Bryant shot 22-of-50 from the field, 6-of-21 from long distance, and added 10-of-12 from the free-throw line in 42 minutes, rallying the Lakers from a 15-point deficit with 23 fourth-quarter points. The 37-year-old became the oldest player to score 50 points in an NBA game and delivered his first 50-point performance since February 2009. Bryant's 50 field goal attempts were a career high and the most in a game since Rick Barry's 48 attempts in 1967. After missing his first five shots due to nerves, Bryant found his rhythm and never looked back, finishing with 60 points, four rebounds, and four assists. To make the game even more dramatic, there is a thought that Jazz forward Gordon Hayward purposely violated Bryant’s missed free throw with just 14 seconds left to give him a second chance at hitting 60.  Only in Hollywood. 

4. Joel Embiid - 59 Points 

Joel Embiid flirted with a quadruple-double on November 13, 2022, scoring 59 points on 19-of-28 field goals, 20-of-24 from the free throw line, and a single three-pointer, while adding 11 rebounds, eight assists, and seven blocks in the Philadelphia 76ers' 105-98 victory over the Utah Jazz. Embiid is the only player in league history on record to have at least 50 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and five blocks in a single game. He dominated the Jazz front court in the fourth quarter with 26 points and five blocks, outscoring the entire Utah team in the final twelve minutes himself. Embiid’s season high of 59 against the Jazz came one night after lighting up the Atlanta Hawks for 42 points. The Process would go on to not only win his first MVP award, but also lead the league in scoring for the second straight season. 

5. Devin Booker - 59 Points 

Devin Booker’s 59 points on March 25, 2019, may have been spectacular from an individual standpoint, but it wasn't enough to prevent a 33-point blowout loss to the Utah Jazz. Booker did everything he could to keep the Suns competitive in a late-season matchup between two teams going in different directions, as the Jazz's balanced attack proved too much. The 22-year-old guard was the only Suns player to hit for double digits in scoring off of 19-for 34 field goals, 5-for-8 from three-point territory, and 16-for-17 from the line in 41 minutes. With all of the Jazz starters hitting for ten or more points, Utah outscored Phoenix in three of four quarters, including a 37-18 fourth quarter to close out the 125-92 victory.  At 22 years of age, Booker became the youngest player in NBA history with consecutive 50-point games when he followed up this 59-point effort with 50 points against Washington just two days later.