Know All About: Most Points Scored in an NBA Quarter

Few moments in NBA history are as thrilling as witnessing a player completely take over a game with an explosive scoring run. A single quarter of basketball lasts only 12 minutes, yet some players have managed to rack up an astonishing number of points in that short span, showcasing their elite scoring ability. In this article, we highlight the top 10 individual performances for the most points scored in a single NBA quarter. We’ll also break down the structure of an NBA quarter and answer common questions related to these incredible feats.

In an NBA game, a quarter does not last for more than 12 minutes. However, even during that short period, the players are able to cross the threshold of 30 points due to three-point shooting and a 24-second shot clock. The shot clock rule was not there before. That's why the number of points scored in a quarter is gradually increasing in the NBA with the increased pace of the game. Today, we are going to rank the top 10 players who have scored the most number of points in an NBA quarter.

How Long Is an NBA Quarter?

When an NBA game is played, it is comprised of four quarters, with each quarter consisting of 12 minutes. So, in total, a whole game will last for about 48 minutes in total. It is quite different format from the international leagues and female pro leagues like the WNBA, where a quarter lasts for 10-minute quarters.

In the NCAA men's basketball tournaments, the quarter lasts for much longer periods of 20 minutes, testing the stamina of the players. On the other hand, the NCAA women's basketball takes the same time as the WNBA for a quarter, which is 10 minutes. There is also a 5 minutes overtime period for the teams if the games are tied. However, the points during this period are not added to the single-quarter score of a player.

Top 10 Scoring Performances in a Single Quarter

The performances that stand tall, the top-ranked in the category of most points scored in a single quarter, are mostly due to the players who were on a scoring streak. When the players feel that their shots are landing in the bucket and the rhythm of the plays is good for them, they enter the zone. It takes some time to set up that mentality but once they are in the zone, they keep on piling up the points for their team.

#10. Luka Doncic – 28 Points – February 10, 2022, vs. Los Angeles Clippers

Luka Doncic has always been hard on the court against the Los Angeles Clippers. It is even evident from his stats for the LA franchise. Doncic has recorded 32.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.4 assists in the regular season while playing opposite the Clippers. On the other hand, he has averaged 33.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists against them in the playoffs. He was in the same mindset on February 10, 2022, when he scored 28 points in the first quarter, representing the Dallas Mavericks on the floor. The Mavericks defeated the Clippers in that game with a 112-105 record.

#9. Ja Morant – 28 Points – February 28, 2023, vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Ja Morant can be counted among the best players in NBA history if he is healthy enough to play in the league. Even during the 2022-23 season, he was returning after a 25-game suspension, yet he did not lose his touch. Before the season-ending shoulder injury in 2023, he tallied 25.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 5.6 rebounds per game. The most points scored in an NBA quarter by Ja Morant came against a much stronger contender like the Los Angeles Lakers.

It was the LeBron James' Lakers squad that got embarrassed by the 39-point triple-double. Morant put up his highest quarter score in the third quarter. Ultimately, the Memphis Grizzlies won the match, putting up 121-109 on the scoreboard.

#8. Isaiah Thomas – 29 Points – December 30, 2016, vs. Miami Heat

Isaiah Thomas might be playing in the NBA G League but during his heydays, he used to be known as the “King of the Fourth.” It was his forte to change the pace of the game in the fourth quarter and pile up numbers for his team on the board. He was average with scoring under the paint, but the three-point shooting was his main arsenal to shut down the defenders of the opponents. In total, he dished out 52 points during that game. However, his later quarter points mattered more since the Boston Celtics only won the game by a small margin of 2 points against the Miami Heat.

#7. James Harden – 29 Points – November 30, 2019, vs. Atlanta Hawks

James Harden might not be putting up astronomical numbers in the league currently, but once, he was considered a menace on the court. On the night of November 30, 2019, he displayed his skill with a balanced approach to score. He dished out 60 points in that game, with the most number of points coming in the third quarter(29). His beyond-the-arc shooting accuracy was 50%, and he even curated plays to make four buckets. His Houston Rockets buddies were also on a scoring spree that night. Otherwise, Harden could have scored more against the Atlanta Hawks.

#6. Joel Embiid – 29 Points – November 6, 2023, vs. Washington Wizards

Joel Embiid does not play for all quarters in a game, but the points he dumps in a quarter are enough to put a team at the margin. The same happened when he scored 48 points against the Washington Wizards on November 6, 2023. He did not shoot any three-pointers, but in the third quarter dished out 29 points with 100% field goal percentage. Eventually, the Philadelphia 76ers earned the victory, putting up 146-128 on the scoreboard. Surprisingly, the Wizards could not make a comeback even when Embiid was sitting out for the whole fourth quarter.

#5. Karl-Anthony Towns – 32 Points – March 14, 2022, vs. San Antonio Spurs

On the night of March 14, 2022, Karl-Anthony Towns dished out 60 points to help the Minnesota Timberwolves secure a victory over the San Antonio Spurs. He was unstoppable since he scored 32 points in the third quarter. That's why he stands third on the list of the most points scored in an NBA quarter. KAT also grabbed five rebounds to make sure that the Spurs could not score from their end. The lead for the Wolves was just 2 points after the second quarter, and by the end of the third quarter, it increased to 15 points, thanks to KAT.

#4. Carmelo Anthony – 33 Points – December 10, 2008, vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

Carmelo Anthony was an asset for the Denver Nuggets during his prime. When his hand would get hot, he kept on scoring no matter how many screens the opponents made for him. The circumstances were the same for him on the night of December 10, 2008, as well. He dropped 33 points in the third quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves, shooting 12-of-15 from the field. Coming to his three-point shooting accuracy, he made five attempts and splashed buckets on four of them.

#3. George Gervin – 33 Points – April 9, 1978, vs. New Orleans Jazz

"The Iceman" Gervin was eyeing the scoring crown of the season on the night of April 9, 1978. That's how he put up 33 points in a single quarter against the New Orleans Jazz. Another contender who was competing with George Gervin for the scoring title was David Thompson. The highlight of his game was the finger-roll shot that he used to trouble the defenders on the opponent's side.

#2. Kevin Love – 34 Points – November 23, 2016, vs. Portland Trail Blazers

Kevin Love was not the most loved on the Cleveland Cavaliers squad due to the presence of players like LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. However, he made them notice his presence on November 23, 2016 against the Portland Trail Blazers. He got heated and dumped 34 points in a single quarter, along with 8 rebounds that he made during the game. The Cavs won that match as Damian Lillard and his Blazers buddies could not surpass the points streak scored by Love.

#1. Klay Thompson – 37 Points – January 23, 2015, vs. Sacramento Kings

Klay Thompson might not be the same shooter that he used to be in his prime currently. But the 37 points that he scored against the Sacramento Kings during his Dubs days prove why he was considered lethal in the league. He emerged as the only player to score 37 points in a quarter and set the record for most three-pointers made in a quarter. He attempted nine three-pointers and hit all of them in the bucket. The upcoming generational players are hoped to break the records set by the older legends but Klay's single quarter record still seems to be unbeatable for now.