The Phoenix Suns have a history of high scoring offensive teams and players.
Fans have come to expect the fast pace of the Suns, and the result of that pace has been some great scorers.
In all, the Suns have had one player score 40 or more points in a game 96 times. 10 of those times, a player scored 47 or more – including one game of 60 points.
What are the 10 highest scoring games in Suns’ history?
This was by far the highest scoring game of Alvan Adams career. Adams does not have any other appearances in the Suns’ 100 highest scoring performances ever.
So this was a very rare feat for the legendary big man for the Suns. But that only starts to capture how incredible Adams’ game was: he finished with 47 points, 18 rebounds, and 12 assists. He also shot 18 of 27 and went 11 of 12 from the free throw line.
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Not only was this an all-time scoring night in Suns history, but this was one of the most complete performances in NBA history. Adams was always an elite passer for a big man, and is actually the Suns’ rookie record holder for assists.
The Buffalo Braves, a team that would eventually become the Los Angeles Clippers after a six-year stint in San Diego, were not a good team in 1976-77, going 30-52.
The Suns would still lose this game 115-114.
The Phoenix Suns, on the other hand, were in the middle of a disappointing season. The year prior, the Suns had made a shocking run to the NBA Finals, only to lose to the Boston Celtics in six games.
In 1976-77, the Suns never got it together, and they finished 34-48 and out of the playoffs.
Adams’ performance was good enough at the time to tie for the Suns’ highest scoring game ever, matching the 47 scored by Gail Goodrich in 1969.
Next: Goodrich drops 47 on San Diego Rockets