Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

What is the most points scored in a quarter in NBA by a team?

In today's segment, let's go through the high-scoring records set by teams in the NBA.

Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

The NBA offers high-class basketball action and during the 12-minute quarter, we witness extraordinary scoring. Teams usually push their offensive strength in the second half where we witness classic comebacks. In the ongoing season, we saw how teams like Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks dropped stunning comebacks in the second half.

A quarter surge can change the narrative of a game and sometimes, we see NBA records in the process. No one can forget Klay Thompson’s 37 point outburst against the Kings in the third quarter on Jan. 23, 2015. It remains the high-scoring quarter by a player in the league history.

Also Read: NBA’s 3-Point Era Just Hit a Wild New Milestone!

In today’s segment, let’s go through the high-scoring records set by teams in the NBA.

Most Points in a Quarter by an NBA team

The Buffalo Braves, who were relocated to Los Angeles in 1984 and became the Los Angeles Clippers, hold the record for most points in a single quarter. In 1972, the Braves scored 58 points in the fourth quarter against the Celtics. However, Boston still won the game 126-118.

In the current century, the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies are tied for the most points (55) in a quarter. The Warriors set an NBA record by scoring 55 points in the first quarter against the Trail Blazers in their regular-season finale. Memphis Grizzlies recorded 55 points in April 2022 against the Pelicans.

On Apr. 10, 2025, the Minnesota Timberwolves came close to the NBA record when they scored 52 points against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Wolves outscored the Grizzlies 52-25 in the third quarter to take a 21-point lead heading to the final period. Minnesota shot 60% from the floor and made 18 three-pointers during the franchise record.

The Timberwolves (-2) scored 52 in the 3rd Q 😲

And Anthony Edwards has 44 after three 🤯pic.twitter.com/NS83ImneO4
— Fliff (@fliff) April 11, 2025

The Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers had a chance to break this record in the 2023-24 season when they recorded 51 points. The Warriors are the only team who scored 50 or more points in a single quarter five times in the NBA.

Most points in a quarter by an NBA team:

Braves – 58 points (Oct. 20, 1972)
Warriors – 55 points (Apr. 9, 2023)
Grizzlies – 55 points (Apr. 9, 2022)
Timberwolves – 52 points (Apr. 11, 2025)
Celtics – 51 points (Nov. 25, 2024)
Lakers – 51 points Lakers – (Feb 09, 2024)

Also Read: NBA’s 2024-2025 Most Valuable Player Race: Who Should Win the Award This Season?

Most points scored in an NBA game

The Detroit Pistons hold the record for most points scored in an NBA game with 186 points. They achieved this milestone against the Denver Nuggets on December 13, 1983. The Nuggets scored 184 points in the same matchup and it became the most scoring game in the NBA history.

Image Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

High scoring quarter in NBA

Minneosta Timberwolves

NBA

NBA records

Gulshan Sharma

nba

soccer

wnba

A native of Jaipur, Rajasthan, journalist, and a complete soccer and basketball fan, he found the huge interest with basketball by watching videos of Allen Iverson and Tony Parker, but fell head over heels in love with the sport during the Warriors’ championship era (2015-2018). A sports game addict since his late PS1, he’s also passionate about the Eagles, Inter Miami and the Fever. He’s fortunate to have seen all his favorite teams win championships. He also has a special love for cricket and football (soccer), where he is a fan of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Barcelona.