Two-time NBA champion and four-time MVP Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary career has become a trending topic once again over the last few weeks, as his records are at risk of, or are likely to be, broken. Oklahoma City Thunder franchise player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recently broke Chamberlain’s consecutive streak of 20 or more points. Chamberlain remains the record holder for most points in a game.
Chamberlain’s 100-point game was recently threatened by Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo’s 83 points against the Washington Wizards. Critics of Chamberlain’s performance argued that unsportsmanlike tactics were used to help him score 100 points, a claim Chamberlain’s teammate at the time recently clarified.
Wilt Chamberlain’s Teammate Clears the Air on Legendary 100-Point Game
Sports journalist Ed Odeven recently chatted with Chamberlain’s teammate on the Philadelphia Warriors, Tom Meschery, who clarified the conspiracy theories surrounding Chamberlain’s pursuit of immortality.
Meschery said:
“Lots of conspiracy crap about Wilt’s game. Here’s what the story: The Knicks stunk; The Wizards stunk. No need to foul with a 24-second shot clock. Knicks kept fouling Wilt, and Wilt kept making free throws proving there is a God. Wilt asked Coach Frank McGuire to take him out of the game midway (through the) fourth quarter. Coach had predicted Wilt would score 100 in his first public statement after being hired. So Coach told Wilt ‘No.’ McGuire’s ego. Wilt, of course, didn’t argue.”
Meschery, who eventually became an All-Star, put the blame on McGuire by essentially saying that Chamberlain’s scoring 100 points would make McGuire look good. McGuire notably coached the Warriors for only the 1961-62 season before resigning, despite leading the team to the Eastern Division Finals.
On This Day: March 22, 1960
LEGENDS CLASH 💥🏀
Bill Russell. Wilt Chamberlain. Two giants BATTLED at the old Boston Garden in Game 5 of the ECF 🔥Celtics vs Warriors.
Philly got the W 128-107 but the Celtics answered with a series win (4-2) AND the championship 🏆🏆🏆
B.… pic.twitter.com/gtbUAse0rV
— Celtics On This Day ☘️ (@CelticsOTD) March 22, 2026
Meschery’s claim that Chamberlain initially wanted to come out of the game should prevent further criticism. Meschery also notes that the Knicks were a poor team that could not stop Chamberlain. The Knicks finished the 1961-62 season with a 29-51 record, which highlights their struggles.
As Meschery points out, perhaps the clearest sign that it was simply destiny for Chamberlain to score 100 points was his free-throw shooting during the game. Chamberlain shot 28-of-32 from the line, an incredible anomaly. He shot a career-high 61.3% from the line during the 1961-62 season, but finished his career at an infamous 51.1%.
Meschery’s stance on both Chamberlain’s and Adebayo’s performances is that they were destined to make history because of their coaches and the poor teams they were facing.
