Basketball Records That May Never Be Broken (Even in the Modern NBA)

 Basketball, especially in the NBA, has always been a game of numbers, milestones, and jaw-dropping moments. While some records are destined to be broken, there are those so outrageous, so otherworldly, they might stand the test of time forever. Here are 10 legendary basketball records that may never be broken, no matter how advanced the game becomes.

1. Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-Point Game (1962)

Record: Most points scored in a single NBA game
March 2, 1962 – Philadelphia Warriors vs. New York Knicks
Why it may never be broken: Even with today’s offensive firepower, no one has seriously come close. Kobe Bryant’s 81 points (2006) is second, and that required an iconic performance. With stricter defenses and more team-focused systems, dropping 100 seems like a fairytale.

2. John Stockton’s Career Assists – 15,806

Why it may never be broken: Longevity + consistency = untouchable. The next closest player (Jason Kidd) had over 3,000 fewer assists. Modern point guards score more than they pass, and players rarely stay with one team long enough to build this kind of legacy.

3. A.C. Green’s 1,192 Consecutive Games Played

Record: Iron Man of the NBA
Why it may never be broken: Load management. Enough said. In today’s NBA, resting players during back-to-backs is the norm. Green didn’t miss a game in 14 seasons. Unreal.

4. Bill Russell’s 11 Championships in 13 Seasons

Why it may never be broken: The modern NBA is more competitive, with more teams, stronger talent parity, and a grueling playoff format. No player has come close in the last 40 years.

5. Wilt Chamberlain Averaging 48.5 Minutes per Game (1961–62)

Why it may never be broken: That’s more than a full game (48 minutes) because of overtimes. And he played 80 games that season. Modern players sit 12–18 minutes per game.

6. Scott Skiles’ 30 Assists in One Game

Why it may never be broken: Modern ball movement and assist-sharing makes it unlikely that one player racks up this many. Plus, Skiles wasn’t even a superstar, just perfect on the night.

7. Hakeem Olajuwon’s 3,830 Career Blocks

Why it may never be broken: The league has shifted to perimeter play. Traditional big men rarely rack up block numbers like in the 80s and 90s. Even the greats like Tim Duncan and Dwight Howard didn’t get close.

8. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 38,387 Points (Until LeBron)

This one was thought to be unbreakable until LeBron James came along and rewrote history in 2023. But will LeBron’s new scoring record be breakable?

Verdict: Only if someone plays 20+ years at an elite level. Unlikely, but possible.

9. Dennis Rodman’s 18.7 Rebounds Per Game (1991–92)

Why it may never be broken: The NBA is now about spacing, 3-point shooting, and fewer traditional bigs. Rebounding is more spread out, making such dominance rare.

10. The 1971–72 Lakers’ 33-Game Win Streak

Why it may never be broken: Even the 2015–16 Warriors with 73 wins couldn’t top this streak. With travel, injuries, and back-to-back games, maintaining that kind of consistency is next to impossible.

Honorable Mentions:

• Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game

• Steph Curry’s 402 threes in a season

• LeBron’s 19 straight All-NBA Team selections (and counting)

• Michael Jordan’s 30.1 PPG career average

Final Thoughts:

The game of basketball is constantly evolving, but some feats are so absurd, so legendary, that they may remain etched in the record books forever. These records aren’t just numbers; they’re symbols of dominance, dedication, and basketball greatness.

Which record surprised you the most? Think any of these could actually be broken in our lifetime?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below!