You know that feeling when a player just can’t miss? The rim looks like the size of the Pacific Ocean. Every flick of the wrist is pure. We’ve all seen "Heat Checks," but then there’s what happened on January 23, 2015. That wasn't just a heat check. It was a glitch in the Matrix. Klay Thompson dropped 37. In twelve minutes. Honestly, if you weren't watching it live, the box score looked like a typo.
When we talk about the most points scored in nba quarter, Klay’s name is the first—and for many, the only—one that comes to mind. But the history of scoring outbursts in the NBA is actually weirder than just one guy getting hot in Oakland. From a 1970s team that scored 58 points in a single frame to Kevin Love nearly breaking the internet in a first quarter, the record books are filled with moments where the defense basically became invisible.
The Klay Thompson Masterclass
Let's get the big one out of the way. Klay Thompson’s third quarter against the Sacramento Kings is the gold standard. He went 13-for-13 from the floor. He didn't miss. Not once. That included nine three-pointers.
Most players are happy with 37 points in a full game. Klay did it while the Kings were actively trying to stop him. It wasn't like they were letting him shoot; he was just "unconscious," as the announcers like to say. He finished that game with 52 points, meaning roughly 71% of his entire scoring output happened in one 12-minute stretch. It’s the kind of peak efficiency that makes advanced stats nerds weep with joy.
The Team Record Nobody Talks About
While Klay holds the individual crown, the team record for the most points scored in nba quarter actually belongs to a franchise that doesn't even exist anymore. On October 20, 1972, the Buffalo Braves (who eventually became the San Diego Clippers and then the LA Clippers) hung 58 points on the Boston Celtics.
Think about that.
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58 points. In one quarter.
The wild part? This happened in the fourth quarter. Usually, by the fourth, teams are tired or just running out the clock. Not the Braves. They were down big and decided to play like their lives depended on it. Even though they scored 58, they still lost the game 126-118. Talk about a bittersweet record.
More recently, the Golden State Warriors flirted with this mark. In April 2023, they put up 55 points in the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers. They hit 12 threes in that opening frame alone. It felt like a video game where someone turned the "CPU Defense" slider down to zero.
That Time Kevin Love Almost Did It
If you want to talk about "almost" records, you have to talk about Kevin Love. Back in November 2016, Love had a first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers that felt like a fever dream.
He put up 34 points.
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He was three points shy of tying Klay. The funniest part of that game? Kyrie Irving took a few shots late in the quarter while Love was sizzling. Fans still joke today that if Kyrie had just kept feeding the beast, Love might have hit 40. He finished the first quarter 11-of-14 from the field and 8-of-10 from deep. It’s still the record for the most points ever scored in an opening quarter.
The Old Guard: Gervin and Thompson
Before the three-point revolution, the record for most points scored in nba quarter was a tie between two legends: George "The Iceman" Gervin and David Thompson. This happened on the very last day of the 1977-78 season. They were locked in a literal battle for the scoring title.
Thompson went out and dropped 32 in a quarter earlier in the day. Gervin heard about it and, a few hours later, went out and dropped 33 in a single frame against the Jazz to secure the title. It was pure, unadulterated "I’m better than you" energy. No fancy analytics. Just mid-range jumpers and finger rolls.
Why These Records Are Harder to Break Now
You’d think with the way teams shoot threes in 2026, these records would be falling every week. But it’s actually the opposite.
- Defensive Switching: Teams are way better at "pre-switching" now. If a guy hits three shots in a row, the defense is going to sell out to stop him.
- Load Management and Blowouts: If a player has 30 in a quarter, his team is usually up by 20. Coaches like Steve Kerr or Joe Mazzulla often pull their stars to keep them fresh, effectively "mercy-ruling" the record books.
- The Pace Factor: While the pace is high, it's also more controlled. We don't see the chaotic 58-point quarters like the Braves had because teams are more disciplined with their shot selection.
Breaking Down the Numbers
If you're looking for the absolute hierarchy of scoring explosions, here is how the top of the mountain looks. It's a short list of people who found the "zone" and stayed there.
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Klay Thompson leads the pack with his 37-point miracle in 2015. Right behind him is Kevin Love’s 34-point first-quarter barrage from 2016. Then you have the legendary tie at 33 points between Carmelo Anthony (2008) and George Gervin (1978).
It’s worth noting that Maxey, Luka, and Shai have all had 25+ point quarters in the last season or two, but getting past 30 requires a specific kind of defensive breakdown and offensive luck that only happens once a decade.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're watching a game and want to know if you're witnessing history, keep an eye on these signs. First, look for the "early heat." If a player has 15 points before the 6-minute mark of a quarter, they are on pace for 30. Second, watch the bench. When the teammates stop celebrating and start looking "scared" or stunned, you know something special is happening.
The most points scored in nba quarter isn't just a stat; it's a testament to what happens when talent meets a total lack of friction. Whether it’s Klay’s perfect shooting or the Braves' 58-point desperation, these moments are the reason we watch.
To keep up with modern scoring surges:
- Follow real-time shot charts: Apps like NBA App or ESPN now show "heat maps" in real-time. If you see a cluster of red in one spot, tune in.
- Monitor the "Pace" stat: Games with a pace factor over 105 are the most likely candidates for a team-scoring record.
- Watch the "3rd Quarter Warriors": Historically, the third quarter is when the most individual explosions happen as teams adjust out of halftime.