Historic NBA Night: Five Teams Score Over 140 Points in a Day
Jan. 3, 2024, marked an unprecedented night in NBA history as five teams crossed the 140-point mark. This feat has never been achieved before in the league’s existence. Additionally, it was also the first time four teams all scored at least 130 points in their respective losses, making it a truly remarkable statistical anomaly.
Utah, Detroit, Indiana, Atlanta, and Cleveland Light Up the Scoreboard
The date will forever be etched in the annals of the NBA. On Jan. 3, 2024, the basketball world witnessed an extraordinary display of offensive prowess. The Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, and Cleveland Cavaliers all shattered the 140-point barrier. It was a remarkable showing by these teams, showcasing their offensive firepower.
“Obviously, it’s fun to score the ball,” expressed Utah’s Lauri Markkanen following their thrilling overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons.
The Joy of Scoring, Even in Defeat
While scoring in abundance brought joy to some teams, others that also put up high scores on that fateful Wednesday found themselves on the losing end. The Detroit Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, and Milwaukee Bucks all scored 130 points or more but fell short of securing victories. This occurrence mirrored a previous instance on April 10, 2019, when three teams experienced the same fate—Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks.
“We didn’t have our best night, obviously,” commented Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault, acknowledging their team’s disappointment despite a remarkable offensive output.
Record-Breaking Scoring Season
The NBA has seen an exponential rise in scoring this season, with teams averaging 115.5 points per game—a level of scoring not witnessed since the 1969-70 season when the average was 116.7 points. The Wednesday games in question only exemplified this high-scoring trend:
- Utah defeated Detroit 154-148 in a thrilling overtime encounter
- Indiana triumphed over Milwaukee 142-130
- Atlanta outscored Oklahoma City 141-138
- Cleveland dominated Washington 140-101
- Sacramento narrowly edged Orlando in double overtime, with a final score of 138-135
These notable scores surpassed the previous record of four teams achieving 140 or more points on a single day, which occurred on Jan. 16, 2019. Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, and New Orleans Pelicans accomplished this feat, with the Nets prevailing over the Rockets 145-142 and the Warriors overcoming the Pelicans 147-140.
Other Remarkable Stats from the Historic Wednesday
The statistical extravaganza on Wednesday included various notable facts:
- The Utah Jazz and Detroit Pistons game marked the second time this season that a matchup surpassed 300 total points. Their combined score of 302 tied for the 25th-most points in an NBA game. Additionally, the Jazz became just the ninth team in league history to shoot at least 50% from the field, 50% from beyond the arc, and 90% from the foul line in an overtime game.
- Miami Heat secured a 110-96 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, matching their franchise record as eight players scored at least 10 points in the game.
- The number of teams surpassing the 130-point mark on Wednesday reached an astonishing ten, with the Los Angeles Clippers (131) joining the Jazz, Pistons, Pacers, Bucks, Hawks, Thunder, Cavaliers, Kings, and Magic. This season has witnessed a total of 128 such games, putting the league on pace to break last year’s record of 266.
As the basketball world continues to witness historic scoring events, Jan. 3, 2024 will remain an unforgettable night that defied expectations and catapulted offensive performances to new heights in the NBA.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from The Associated Press and is subject to copyright. No part of this article may be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.