Today marks the 15th anniversary of the most points scored in a single regular-season game in Memphis Grizzlies franchise history. A record that still stands to this day that wasn’t set by any stars of the Grit and Grind era, but actually Mike Miller with a total of 45 points.
Back on February 21st of 2007, the Memphis Grizzlies went into Golden State for a showdown against the Warriors. Miller came into the game being the current league leader in total three-pointers made. He would, unfortunately, finish the season with the third most three-point field goals with just three less to tie Raja Bell and Gilbert Arenas for most in all of the NBA.
This season consisted of Miller’s best performances as a pro. He was fresh off winning the 2005-2006 Sixth Man of the Year award and was currently taking his game to another level. The scouting report definitely said to stick to Miller at all times but he was a different beast against Golden State.
He started the game on fire and was torching any defender that the Warriors threw his way. By the end of the first half, the 6-foot-8 forward had 24 points on an incredibly efficient 10-14 shooting from the field. The borage of three-pointers wasn’t a familiarity in the NBA as it is now. Mike Miller at the time was displaying a scintillating performance, especially considering he wasn’t a known star in the league.
Miller cooled down a bit in the second half with Golden State’s defense much more focused on preventing him from not just scoring but even getting the ball at all. Only three points were scored in the third period but in the fourth quarter and overtime Miller was a man on a different planet.
In the final two periods of play, Miller had a combined 18 points including 5-9 shooting from beyond the arc. His clutch gene was on full display and was single handily pushing the Grizzlies towards a victory. However, his efforts fell just a bit short as Memphis would fall 118-115.
Mike Miller posted a final stat line of 45 points, five rebounds, and six assists on 16-27 shooting from the field. One of the most impressive aspects of this game was his 9-17 shooting from outside the perimeter.
Despite the loss, Miller’s performance went down in history as the greatest scoring outing in Grizzlies history. Although that record would be broken by Ja Morant with 47 points in Game 2 of the first round in the 2021 NBA playoffs against the Utah Jazz. As a regular-season record, it still stands, but there is someone in a white and navy uniform that is bound to break it soon.