Here’s a look at every single 50-plus-point performance by a Nuggets player during a regular-season game:
1. David Thompson, 73 points against Pistons, April 9, 1978
During the Nuggets’ regular-season finale, Thompson dropped what was the third-highest scoring performance in NBA history — and most by a player not named Wilt Chamberlain — in an attempt to win the NBA scoring title. However, San Antonio’s George Gervin put up 63 points to edge Thompson by less than 0.1 points average to claim the honor. Denver, which already clinched first place in the Midwest Division, lost, 139-137, on the road.
2. Nikola Jokic, 61 points against Timberwolves, April 1, 2025
Against Minnesota, Jokic dropped a career-high 61 points on 18-of-29 shooting in a brutal 140-139 double-overtime loss at home. He also added 10 rebounds and 10 assists to record the third 60-point triple-double in NBA history.
3T. Nikola Jokic, 56 points against Wizards, Dec. 7, 2024
On the road against woeful Washington, Jokic did everything in his power to try and lift Denver. On 22 of 39 shooting, include 3 of 6 from beyond the arc, he notched a career-high in points in a 122-113 loss. He also added 16 rebounds and eight assists in the losing effort.
3T. Nikola Jokic, 56 points against Timberwolves, Dec. 25, 2025
With three starters out, Jokic put the team on his back with a 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist performance in a 142-138 overtime win over Minnesota on Christmas.
5T. Jamal Murray, 55 points against Trail Blazers, Feb. 12, 2025
In Denver’s final game before the All-Star break, Murray set a career-high against Portland, shooting 20 of 36 from the field (including 7 of 15 from 3-point range) to lead Denver to a 132-121 win over the Trail Blazers. He also added four rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals.
5T. Nikola Jokic, 55 points against Clippers, Nov. 12, 2025
The fifth time’s the charm. The Nuggets entered the game 0-4 when Jokic scored 50 points. He had 52 through three quarters in Denver’s 122-103 win on the road.
7T. Alex English, 54 points against Rockets, Nov. 19, 1985
The Nuggets’ all-time leading scorer had his best scoring performance in a 127-113 home win over Houston. English shot 21 of 30 from the field and a perfect 12 for 12 from the free-throw line. He also added four rebounds and an assist in the victory.
7T. Michael Adams, 54 points against Bucks, March 23, 1991
The 5-foot-10 point guard’s numbers benefitted from coach Paul Westhead’s frantic offense. Adams averaged career highs in points (26.9) and assists (10.6) during the 1990-91 season and scored at least 40 points in five games — the most in this 140-136 home loss to the Bucks. Adams shot 17 for 31 (7 of 16 from 3-point range) and added nine assists in the loss.
9. Jamal Murray, 52 points against Pacers, Dec. 3, 2025
Sprained ankle? No biggie. Murray lit up the Pacers with a 52-point performance on 19 of 25 shooting, including 10 3-pointers. Denver won 135-120 on the road.
10T. Kiki VanDeWeghe, 51 points against Pistons, Dec. 13, 1983
This was — and still is — the highest-scoring game in NBA history. VanDeWeghe had the most points of the four players who put up at least 40 points that night. He also added nine rebounds and eight assists in the triple-overtime loss at McNichols Arena.
10T. Alex English, 51 points against Heat, March 10, 1989
English recorded the second 50-plus-points performance of his career at the age of 35. However, the Nuggets lost in double overtime, 131-130, to the first-year Miami Heat squad.
10T. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, 51 points against Jazz, Dec. 7, 1995
Abdul-Rauf erupted from 3-point range, connecting on 9 of 14 shots from beyond the arc in a 124-119 win over the Utah Jazz on the road. He shot 17 of 27 from the field and was a perfect 8 for 8 from the free-throw line.
10T. Allen Iverson, 51 points against Lakers, Dec. 5, 2007
Iverson was a four-time NBA scoring champion before his trade to Denver but still had plenty left in the tank upon joining the Nuggets. In this 111-107 home loss to Los Angeles, he put up his eighth and final 50-point regular-season game, shooting 18 of 27 from the field and 15 of 18 from the charity stripe. He also had eight assists.
14T. Kiki VanDeWeghe, 50 points against Spurs, Jan. 11, 1984
VanDeWeghe led all scorers in a game that totaled more than 300 points — all in regulation. The Nuggets forward shot 21 of 30 from the field and was a perfect 7 of 7 from the free-throw line in Denver’s 163-155 home less to San Antonio.
14T. Carmelo Anthony, 50 points against Knicks, Nov. 27, 2009
Melo recorded his first 50-point game in the NBA after shooting 17 of 28 from the field (1-for-4 from beyond the arc) and 15 of 16 from the free-throw line. He also added six rebounds and five assists and Denver defeated visiting New York, 128-125, at the Pepsi Center.
14T. Carmelo Anthony, 50 points against Rockets, Feb. 7, 2011
Two weeks before he was traded to the Knicks, Anthony reached the half-century mark for the second-time in his career during a 108-103 loss to the visiting Rockets. He shot 16 for 24 from the field and added 16 more in free throws. He also had 11 rebounds, a steal and three blocks.
14T. Nikola Jokic, 50 points against Kings, Feb. 6, 2021
Almost exactly 10 years since Denver’s last 50-point performance, the Nuggets all-star center reached the mark for the first time in his career. Big Honey went 20-for-33 from the field (3 of 6 from 3-point land) and 7 of 7 from the free-throw line. He also added eight rebounds, three blocks and 12 assists in the Nuggets’ 119-114 losing effort in Sacramento.
14T. Jamal Murray, 50 points against Cavaliers, Feb. 19, 2021
Murray was unconscious from the field, hitting 21 of 25 — including 8 of 10 from beyond the arc — en route to the Denver road win over Cleveland. What makes this even more remarkable is that he didn’t visit the charity stripe once during the game. It’s the highest-scoring performance for a player who didn’t attempt a single free throw.
14T. Aaron Gordon, 50 points against Warriors, Oct. 23, 2025
The Nuggets kicked off the 2025-26 season with a monster performance from Gordon. He shot 17 of 21 with 10 of 11 from beyond the arc. However, Denver fell short in San Francisco, losing 137-131.
