EDITOR’S NOTE: When Kobe Bryant scored 81 points for the Los Angeles Lakers on Jan. 22, 2006, against the Toronto Raptors, it was the second-most points scored by a player in NBA history. The record was set by Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points on March 2, 1962, against the New York Knicks. Miami Heat forward Bam Adebayo scored 83 points Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards to pass Bryant on the list of most points scored in an NBA game. The Associated Press is republishing its story from Chamberlain’s historic performance:
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HERSHEY, Pa. — “It’s a record I’d hate to try to break myself,” says Philadelphia’s Wilt Chamberlain eyeing his new 100-point National Basketball Association single game record.
Chamberlain’s mark, eclipsing his own record of 78, came last night as the Warriors defeated the New York Knickerbockers 169-147.
The total points scored, 316, also set an N.B.A. record in a night just made for rewriting the N.B.A. record columns. The previous high was 312 scored by Boston (173) and Minneapolis (139).
When Chamberlain scored the 78 earlier this year, in a triple overtime (against Los Angeles), coach Frank McGuire predicted, “Someday he will hit 100.”
The 7-foot-1 giant lived up to the prophecy as he scored 36 field goals, and 28 of 32 foul shots, both N.B.A records.
He also scored 31 points in the final quarter, and scored 59 points in the first half, both records.
The 36 goals were made on 63 tries, for 57 percent.
“I wasn’t even thinking of hitting a 100, but after putting in nine straight free throws, I was thinking about a foul shooting record,” he said.
“It was my greatest game,” he added.
McGuire agreed, “It has to be the greatest game of his career.”
Chamberlain scored again and again on his fallaway shot as the excited crowd of 4,124 shrieked, “Give it to Wilt, give it to Wilt.” His teammates complied.
“The team made all the difference. It would have been impossible to score this many if they hadn’t kept feeding me,” said Chamberlain.
When he hit 100 on a dunk shot with 46 seconds left, the fans streamed out onto the court to mob him. The game was held up until the floor was cleared.
Coach McGuire cheered the Stilt’s foul shooting — "It was phenomenal.”
Chamberlain himself said, “My foul shooting was vastly improved. That made a big difference.”
Chamberlain, approaching a 4,000-point single season, is the fourth player to ever reach 100 points in a basketball game. The others were in college games.
Chamberlain has scored 3,865 points this season and has four games to go. He has scored an average of 50.8 points for the 76 games.
Chamberlain’s career total is now 9,605, having scored 2,707 points his rookie year and 3,033 last year.
After Chamberlain earlier scored the single game record with 78, topping Los Angeles’ Elgin Baylor’s 71, he scored 73 points in a regulation game against the Chicago Packers.
Three Knicks also had good nights. Richie Guerin with 39, Cleveland Buckner with 33 and Willie Naulls with 31, but they just couldn’t overcome the boost given the Warriors by Chamberlain.
The college players who reached 100 were Frank Selby of Furman, Paul Arizin of Villanova and Bevo Francis of Rio Grande (Ohio) College. Only Selvy’s mark, scored against Newberry in 1964, is recognized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, however, as the others scored theirs against junior colleges.
FILE - Philadelphia Warriors' Wilt Chamberlain holds a sign reading, "100," in the dressing room after he scored 100 points against the New York Knickerbockers, March 2, 1962, in Hershey, Pa. (AP Photo/Paul Vathis, File)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — World Cup host Vancouver is at risk of losing its Major League Soccer club to another city.
MLS said late Monday it “will evaluate all options” for the future of the Vancouver Whitecaps, including moving out of the city. The club was put on sale 16 months ago by an ownership group that includes former NBA star Steve Nash.
Uncertainty around the team is fueled by limited revenue options and a short-term lease at BC Place stadium that will host seven World Cup games in June and July, including Canada playing Qatar and Switzerland.
“It’s reaching a critical point,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber said Tuesday during a meeting with the Associated Press Sports Editors in New York.
Garber called the situation at BC Place untenable, citing strict schedule restrictions from the government entity that owns and operates the building and an inability to add premium seating.
British Columbia’s government said Tuesday it is working with the Whitecaps to help the team lower costs and generate more revenue at BC Place — but it won’t be buying the team to prevent it from moving cities.
Ravi Kahlon, B.C.’s minister of jobs and economic growth, said the team is now using the stadium at no cost, and any breaks that the team received this year could be extended for another year.
The Whitecaps and the provincial government — which owns BC Place through the provincial Crown corporation PavCo — signed a one-year lease earlier this year, which annually returns to the club about $1 million to 1.5 million that the province makes from hosting.
Kahlon, a longtime season-ticket holder, says the province has also helped the team generate more revenue from concession sales and advertising, adding that the province is open to exploring other revenue sources.
“If there are some genuine things that they need done to keep the team here, we want to see that happen,” he said.
Garber confirmed reports that Las Vegas could be an option if Vancouver relocates, saying a group from Las Vegas had submitted an application for an MLS team. He expressed hope the Whitecaps could find a way to remain in Vancouver and said expansion to Las Vegas could also be a possibility, but no decisions had been made. Las Vegas was not necessarily the only city being discussed.
FIFA vice president Victor Montagliani, who is from Vancouver, said last year losing an MLS club “on the back of the World Cup would be a capital crime, in my opinion.”
Fans holding “Save The Caps” placards protested on Saturday at the team’s last home game ahead of the stadium being taken over for the World Cup. The attendance was more than 27,000.
In a statement late Monday, the Whitecaps said it had “serious conversations with more than 100 parties and, to date, no viable offer has emerged that would keep the club here.”
“The club has faced well-documented structural challenges around stadium economics, venue access, and revenue limitations that have made it difficult to attract buyers committed to keeping the team in Vancouver."
A franchise fee that cost tens of millions of dollars to enter MLS 15 years ago is now likely worth hundreds of millions.
A team that features German great Thomas Müller reached the MLS Cup final last year, losing against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami 3-1.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Vancouver Whitecaps fans hold signs before an MLS soccer match against the Colorado Rapids in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Cheikh Sabaly (7) celebrates after his goal against the Colorado Rapids with Thomas Muller (13) and Tate Johnson (28) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps fans hold signs before an MLS soccer match against the Colorado Rapids in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press via AP)
