This iconic black-and-white photograph captures Wilt Chamberlain after his historic 100-point game on March 2, 1962, against the New York Knicks. In the image, Chamberlain is seen wearing his Philadelphia Warriors jersey, sitting in the locker room, and holding a piece of paper with "100" handwritten on it—a symbol of his record-breaking performance.

Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point game, a remarkable feat in NBA history, occurred on March 2, 1962—a date that holds significant importance as it marks 63 years since this extraordinary event. On that fateful day, Chamberlain, a formidable player for the Philadelphia Warriors, took on the New York Knicks at Hershey Sports Arena in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The Warriors emerged victorious with a score of 169-147, but the true significance of the game lies in Chamberlain’s individual accomplishment.

Chamberlain achieved an astonishing feat by scoring a remarkable 100 points, making him the single player in NBA history to achieve this remarkable milestone. He accomplished this feat by sinking 36 out of 63 field goals and converting 28 out of 32 free throws. This record-breaking performance stands as an unbreakable standard, surpassing any other player’s scoring record in an NBA game. In addition to his remarkable scoring, Chamberlain also showcased his dominance on the boards, grabbing an impressive 25 rebounds. The Knicks, despite their competitive spirit, were unable to match Chamberlain’s physical presence, standing at an imposing 7’1” and weighing 275 pounds. The game was not televised, and unfortunately, no complete video footage of the event exists. However, a radio broadcast and a few surviving photographs contribute to the mystique and legend surrounding this incredible game.

The fourth quarter of the game was particularly remarkable, as Chamberlain scored an astonishing 31 points. The crowd erupted in cheers, chanting “Give it to Wilt!” as he inched closer to the century mark. This momentous occasion was further amplified by the absence of full video footage, adding to the game’s allure and making it a truly unforgettable experience. The game’s pace was frenetic, typical of the era, with the Warriors attempting 115 shots to the Knicks’ 117. Chamberlain’s teammates relentlessly fed him the ball, and he capitalized, especially against an undersized Knicks frontcourt missing their starting center, Phil Jordon, due to illness. Darrell Imhoff, the backup, couldn’t contain him. Chamberlain’s 28 free throws came from 32 attempts, a testament to his dominance and the fouling he endured—though his career free-throw percentage hovered around 51%, he was on fire that night. The final bucket, a dunk with 46 seconds left, sparked pandemonium. Fans stormed the court, and the game effectively ended there—no one cared about the remaining seconds. The official box score lists him with 2 assists, though play-by-play accounts suggest his impact extended beyond statistics. Knicks players later admitted they tried to deny him the ball, but Warriors coach Frank McGuire had his team foul to maintain possession and feed Wilt.

Chamberlain himself downplayed it later, saying he never imagined it would be “such a big deal.” But it was: his 100 points surpassed his previous record of 78, set earlier that season. For context, the NBA’s single-game scoring record before Wilt’s era was 71, set by Elgin Baylor. Since then, only Kobe Bryant’s 81 in 2006 has come close.

The game’s lore grew partly due to its setting—a neutral-site game in a small arena with just 4,124 fans—and the lack of visual evidence. A famous photo shows Chamberlain holding a paper with “100” scrawled on it, taken by a team staffer. The radio call of the final basket, by Bill Campbell, is iconic: “He made it! He made it! A Dipper Dunk!” Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points that 1961-62 season, another untouchable mark, but the 100-point night remains his signature. It’s a testament to an era of raw, unfiltered basketball—and a player who was, quite literally, bigger than the game.

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