With the continuous evolution of NBA gameplay, scoring has become much easier for players today compared to a decade ago. This season alone, more than 40 players in the league are averaging over 20 points per game. Considering that superstar pairings have become commonplace in the current NBA, we've seen numerous high-scoring duos emerge, with some teams boasting an average combined score of over 50 points. For instance, this season's Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have a combined average of 58.6 points. However, since the regular season is far from over, their performance may still fluctuate. Excluding this season, let's take a look at the highest-scoring duos in NBA history.
- Anthony & Iverson (52.1 points per game in the 08 season)
In the mid-2006-2007 season, Allen Iverson was traded to the Nuggets. Although he was no longer at his peak, he still had considerable scoring ability. At the same time, the Nuggets' star player Carmelo Anthony had matured, forming a formidable outside shooting duo with Iverson.
By the 2007-2008 season, both their averages ranked in the top five in the league, with Iverson averaging 26.4 points (third in the league) and Anthony following closely with 25.7 points (fourth in the league). Under the leadership of Anthony and Iverson, the Nuggets won five more games in the regular season than the previous year. However, due to fierce competition in the West, their ranking actually dropped to eighth in the West, and they were eliminated in the first round that year.
- James & Wade (52.2 points per game in the 11 season)
In 2010, the NBA experienced a seismic change when two-time MVP LeBron James announced he would bring his talents to the Heat. All-Star Chris Bosh made the same decision, leading to the formation of the Big Three of Wade, James, and Bosh. In the 2010-2011 season, James and Wade, as the stronger members of the trio, combined for an average of 52.2 points, with James averaging 26.7 points (second in the league) and Wade averaging 25.5 points (fourth in the league).
However, the Heat's final record that year wasn't ideal. In the playoffs, they exposed issues with team cohesion, ultimately losing in the Finals as James struggled significantly. Fortunately, James later redeemed himself, but unfortunately, after 2011, Wade began to show a noticeable decline, and they were unable to achieve a three-peat.
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Curry & Durant (53.3 points per game in the 19 season)
After losing to the Cavaliers in 2016, the Warriors recruited another peak MVP, Kevin Durant, throwing the league into imbalance. The Warriors easily won the championship in 2017. However, during the 2018-2019 season, their pursuit of a three-peat became more challenging, forcing Curry and Durant to perform even better in the regular season. Unfortunately, Durant's physical condition began to deteriorate, and he collapsed in the playoffs, ultimately leading to the Warriors missing out on a three-peat due to his injury.
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Bird & McHale (54.2 points per game in the 87 season)
Larry Bird continued his MVP-level performance in the 1986-1987 season, averaging 28.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 1.8 steals in the regular season. However, injuries caused him to miss many games, or else he might have won the MVP for four consecutive years. While Bird dealt with injuries, Kevin McHale stepped up, averaging 26.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks, earning him spots in the first team and defensive first team. Unfortunately, in the Finals against their old rival Lakers, the Celtics couldn't secure the win, marking the last Finals appearance for the Celtics during Bird's era.
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Van der Rich & English (55.8 points per game in the 84 season)
As two of the most famous scorers in Nuggets history, Van der Rich and English delivered outstanding scoring performances in the 1983-1984 season, with English averaging 26.4 points and Van der Rich an impressive 29.4 points. Interestingly, neither made the All-NBA First Team that season, which was particularly unfortunate for Van der Rich. In NBA history, only two players have averaged over 29 points without making the All-NBA First Team: Van der Rich and James Harden, who averaged 29+6+7 in 2016.
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Tatum & Jaylen Brown (56.7 points per game in the 23 season)
In 2016 and 2017, the Celtics drafted Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, respectively, and despite initial doubts about their growth, the Celtics remained confident in them. Even when they had the chance to acquire Anthony Davis in 2019, the management refused to part with the duo. Their growth proved the Celtics' decision correct, and starting from the 2022-2023 season, they became one of the best duos in the league, successfully leading the team to their 18th championship in 2024.
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O'Neal & Kobe (57.5 points per game in the 03 season)
After winning three consecutive championships in 2002, Kobe took on more offensive responsibility, averaging 30 points in the 2002-2003 season with 23.5 shots per game. Shaquille O'Neal's average shots dropped to 18, but he still scored 27.5 points. However, the Lakers' championship defense wasn't as smooth that year, and they failed to advance past the Spurs in the playoffs. In that series, Kobe averaged 32.3 points, while O'Neal averaged 25.3 points. After losing the series, the gap between the two grew larger.
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Doncic & Irving (59.5 points per game in the 24 season)
Midway through the 2022-2023 season, the Mavericks made a significant trade, acquiring Kyrie Irving from the Nets, whose reputation had hit rock bottom. Initially, Irving's chemistry with the team wasn't optimal, and they missed the playoffs that year. Fortunately, the Mavericks adjusted in the 2023-2024 season, with Doncic and Irving delivering exceptional performances in the regular season. Doncic won the scoring title with an average of 33.9 points, while Irving also contributed an average of 25.6 points. Ultimately, under their leadership, the Mavericks advanced to the Finals as dark horses.
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Harden & Westbrook (61.5 points per game in the 20 season)
After the Thunder failed to advance past the first round for the third consecutive year in 2019, they initiated a rebuild, and Westbrook joined the Rockets to team up with Harden. That regular season, Harden and Westbrook clearly demonstrated excellent performances, with Harden winning the scoring title for the third consecutive year, averaging 34.3 points, and Westbrook also averaging 27.2 points. Unfortunately, their performances fluctuated in the playoffs, especially Westbrook, who was frequently targeted by opponents when facing the Lakers. After being eliminated in the second round, the Rockets chose to dismantle the lineup, sending Westbrook to the Wizards. -
Chamberlain & Arizin (72.3 points per game in the 62 season)
This duo tops the list because of Chamberlain's overwhelming dominance in the league at the time. In the 1961-1962 season, he averaged an astonishing 50.4 points, the only player in NBA history to average over 50 points in a season. Therefore, despite Arizin's average of only 21.9 points, he still managed to make the list thanks to Chamberlain's brilliance.