Let us look at the lowest scoring NBA game in history. The score will surely shock you.
Every season we get to witness incredible NBA games. In every other game night, numerous records are broken, plenty of points are scored and last-second drama is guaranteed. In short, the fans are always served with jam-packed action while watching an NBA game.
Needless to say, high scoring basketball games are always a visual treat for the spectators. Moreover, if the results of the high scoring games are decided at the last second, it feels like a cherry on top of the cream.
However, along with fabulous records, NBA is famous for its bizarre anti-records. Some anti-records are so crazy that it might force you to scratch your head, questioning the authenticity of the record. That being said, low-scoring games are one of the NBA’s most famous anti-records. Let us check them out.
Low scoring games are a spectacle of the past. In this modern era of basketball, it is almost impossible to think of a match where NBA teams scores less than 100 points. However, if we turn back the clock by few decades, we will be surprised to see that many NBA teams barely scored more than 50 points.
Notably, almost all of the low scoring basketball games occurred nearly or more than 70 years ago – before the 24-second shot clock was introduced in the game.
What is the lowest scoring NBA game in history?
The lowest scoring NBA game in history was between Fort Wayne Pistons and Minneapolis Lakers, where the final score was just 19-18. The match was subsequently won by the Fort Wayne Pistons.
The match was held on November 22, 1950, and the spectators could witness only a score of 37 points in total. Unfortunately, there is no statistical evidence present for this game.
This game might have been the most lackluster game in league history and we are pretty sure that more people fell asleep in the stands than the total points that were being scored during the match.
Why was the score of the game so low?
The score of the game was low because the 24-second rule wasn’t been introduced yet. So, to kill the time, Fort Wayne players just held onto the ball, preventing the dominant Minneapolis Lakers from attacking the ring.
George Mikan, who was a dominant player for the Minneapolis Lakers, scored 15 of the Lakers’ 18 points, while no Pistons player scored more than five points. Significantly, John Oldham from the Pistons was actually the one who managed to score 5 points, 3 of which came from the free throws.
Few other low scoring games
Boston Celtics – Pittsburgh Ironmen (46-44)
This match happened on December 2, 1946. Al Brightman was the highest-scoring Celtics player in this game, having scored 12 points while Tony Kappen scored 7 points.
Washington Capitols – Pittsburgh Ironmen (49-40)
This game took place on November 30, 1946, in Washington. Unfortunately, there is little to no information present about this match.
Boston Celtics – Washington Capitols (47-38)
This match took place on January 16, 1947. Fred Scolari of Washington Capitols scored 17 points, while Al Brightman of the Boston Celtics scored 14 points.
Washington Capitols – Detroit Falcons (50-33)
This low scoring game happened on November 2, 1946. From the Washington Capitols side, Bob Feerick and Fred Scolari both scored 14 points respectively and Bones McKinney followed up with 11 points. On the other hand, Stan Miasek from the Detroit Falcons scored 9 points.
Lowest Scoring Games in the Shot Clock Era
The era of the shot clock is a blessing for the spectators. Simply because no more boring games. Phew!
Since the introduction of the shot clock in 1954, the lowest combined score is set by two NBA teams on Feb. 27, 1955. The Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Hawks combined for a total of 119 points. Boston Celtics won the game 62-57.
Most recently, in April 1999, the Chicago Bulls scored just 49 points against the Miami Heat. The Miami Heat, on the other hand, won the game, having scored 82 points.
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