Phoenix Suns: 10 Highest Scoring Games In Suns’ History

Sep 28, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Amar'e Stoudemire (5) poses during photo day at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 28, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward Amar'e Stoudemire (5) poses during photo day at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Phoenix Suns
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

Gail Goodrich dropped his 47 points on another team that has since relocated, the San Diego Rockets. For those curious, the Rockets moved to Houston for the 1971-72 season, and have been there ever since.

The Rockets were a below average team that allowed 115 points per game that season, so Goodrich’s total should be kept in perspective. Phoenix would win the game 146-133 – in regulation.

While the Rockets made the playoffs, at 37-45 they were far from a strong team. The Phoenix Suns were much worse, on the way to a 16-66 inaugural season.

More from Valley of the Suns

This performance by Goodrich was a rare bright spot in the season. Because the NBA only had 14 teams at the time, this Suns team would actually place two players on the all-star team that year.

Both Gail Goodrich and Dick Van Arsdale made the all-star team during 1968-69 season despite the Suns’ horrible record.

Gail Goodrich would score 40 or more points five times in the 1968-69 season, and one more time in 1969-70.

It is natural to wonder how many more Suns’ records he could have set.

After the 1969-70 season, the Phoenix Suns traded Gail Goodrich to the Los Angeles Lakers for center Mel Counts.

Next: Paul Westphal breaks the record - twice

While Goodrich would end up having a Hall of Fame career with the Lakers, making four more all-star games and winning a title in 1972, Counts would play just two seasons with the Phoenix Suns.