Can You Identify These Single-Season NBA Record-Holders?

By: Gavin Thagard
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Can You Identify These Single-Season NBA Record-Holders?
Image: Wiki Commons by Keith Allison

About This Quiz

When it's nearing the end of the regular season in the NBA and an NBA star is on the verge of breaking a single-season record, are you rooting for them to make the record books or are you sticking with the traditional holders? Do you even know who the single-season record holders are in the NBA? Here's a quiz where you can find out!

There is certainly something special about watching an athlete go after a record as they try to seed themselves in the history of their sport. Whether they end up actually breaking the record or not, it's the ride that makes the entire experience fun for both fans and players. Some fans are rooting for old records to be smashed, while other fans are praying their favorite retired player will remain at the top of the list. 

Are you an expert on the records in the NBA, particularly the single-season records held by some of the greatest superstars to ever take the court? Are you ready to test that knowledge and see if some of those records you remember being broken years ago still hold up? 

If you're up for the challenge, see if you can set your own personal record by acing this quiz!

Walt Bellamy
Wiki Commons by NBA
Despite there only being 82 games in an NBA season, this player set a record by playing in 88 games. Who is he?
Jerry Lucas
Walt Bellamy
Elvin Hayes
Bob Lanier
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Walt Bellamy was traded in the middle of the 1968-69 season from the Knicks to the Pistons. Since the teams had offset schedules, Bellamy was able to play in more games than he would have otherwise.

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Elvin Hayes
Wiki Commons by Elvin Hayes, Courtesy of Special Collections, University of Houston Libraries
Drafted in 1968, who played the most minutes their rookie season?
Bob Pettit
Dave Bing
Bob Lanier
Elvin Hayes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Drafted out of Houston, Elvin Hayes was taken with the first pick in the 1968 NBA draft. Hayes went on to be named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1969.

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Wilt Chamberlain
Wiki Commons by Sport Magazine Archives
A dominant center during the '60s and '70s, who holds the NBA record for points per game in a season?
Wilt Chamberlain
Bill Russell
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Shaquille O'Neal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

While playing for the Philadelphia Warriors, Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points in a game against the Knicks in 1962. It's the most points ever scored in a single game.

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Steve Johnson
NBA TV / meej33 / via YouTube
Entering the league in 1981, who set the NBA record for field goal percentage in a rookie season?
Buck Williams
Mark Aguirre
Steve Johnson
Isiah Thomas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Steve Johnson switched between the center and power forward positions throughout his NBA career. He was never a great rebounder, and his teams often suffered because of it.

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Kyle Korver
Wiki Commons by Arthur Mouratidis
While playing for the Jazz in 2009-10, who set the NBA single-season record for three-point percentage?
Stephen Curry
Klay Thompson
Reggie Miller
Kyle Korver
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kyle Korver joined the Cavaliers in the middle of the 2016-17 season. He helped the team reach two NBA Finals, but the Cavs lost both times to the Golden State Warriors.

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Anthony Morrow
Wiki Commons by Danny Bollinger
Shooting 47% from the three-point range, who set the three-point percentage record for a rookie?
Anthony Morrow
Ray Allen
Jason Kidd
Steve Kerr
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anthony Morrow shot 42% from three-point range throughout his NBA regular season career. However, that dropped to 37% in the playoffs.

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Stephen Curry
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Coming off an NBA championship, who set the record for most three-pointers made in a season?
Ray Allen
Klay Thompson
Stephen Curry
Reggie Miller
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Stephen Curry won his first NBA MVP in 2015 on his way to an NBA championship. He won the MVP again the next season but lost in the NBA Finals to the Cavaliers.

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Donovan Mitchell
Wiki Commons by Frenchieinportland
Shooting 550 three-pointers, who shot the most three-point shots their rookie season?
Larry Bird
Donovan Mitchell
Jayson Tatum
Lonzo Ball
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Donovan Mitchell led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs his rookie season. His play lifted a Jazz team that had just lost their star player, Gordon Hayward, in the offseason.

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Jose Calderon
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
A point guard out of Spain, who set the single-season record for free throw percentage?
Pau Gasol
Marc Gasol
Ricky Rubio
Jose Calderon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jose Calderon played for Spain in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics. He won silver medals in his first two Olympic appearances and bronze in the 2016 Olympics.

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Jerry West
Wiki Commons by The Monticola (University of West Virginia yearbook), 1959
Once the leader of the Lakers, who shot the most free throws in a season?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kobe Bryant
Jerry West
Earvin "Magic" Johnson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jerry West won the 1969 NBA Finals MVP despite losing to the Celtics. He's the only NBA player to win the MVP in a losing effort.

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Wilt Chamberlain 2
Wiki Commons by The Sporting News Archives
Setting the record multiple times, who has the single-season record for rebounds?
Wilt Chamberlain
Bill Russell
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Charles Barkley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Wilt Chamberlain consistently averaged over 20 rebounds per game throughout his career. Even in his final season, Chamberlain pulled down over 18 rebounds per game.

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Moses Malone
Wiki Commons by Cpl. Lameen Witter
Which NBA star grabbed a record 587 offensive rebounds in a single season?
Charles Barkley
Moses Malone
Patrick Ewing
David Robinson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the middle of his prime and looking for an NBA title, Moses Malone joined Julius Erving on the 76ers in 1982. They won the title together, and Malone was named the Finals MVP.

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Hakeem Olajuwon
Wiki Commons by University of Houston Digital Library
Drafted out of Houston, who set the single-season offensive rebound record for a rookie?
Patrick Ewing
Charles Barkley
Hakeem Olajuwon
Karl Malone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hakeem Olajuwon was a Nigerian-born NBA player. In college, he was recruited by several teams but decided to join the Houston Cougars because of the warm weather in Texas.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Wiki Commons by The Sporting News Archives
In the middle of his 20-year career, who set the NBA record for defensive​ rebounds in a season?
Karl Malone
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Shaquille O'Neal
Yao Ming
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA MVPs throughout his career in the NBA. No other player has won more than five.

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John Stockton
Wiki Commons by United States Forest Service
Playing beside Karl Malone, who set the single-season record for assists?
Jason Kidd
Earvin "Magic" Johnson
Steve Nash
John Stockton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

John Stockton reached the NBA Finals twice with the Utah Jazz in the late '90s. However, he lost both matchups to the Chicago Bulls, who were led by Michael Jordan.

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Darryl Dawkins
Wiki Commons by Richard Chan
A tough defender, this player had the most personal fouls in a season. Who is it?
Darryl Dawkins
Charles Oakley
John Starks
Dennis Rodman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Darryl Dawkins was well-known for his dunking ability. In 1979, he twice shattered NBA backboards, which is one of the reasons the NBA went to breakaway rims.

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Steve Johnson 2
CSN / Portland Trail Blazers via YouTube
Which rookie racked up a record 372 personal fouls in a season?
Steve Johnson
John Starks
Reggie Miller
Dennis Rodman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Steve Johnson played only 12 seasons in the NBA. During those 12 years, he made the playoffs four times but never made it out of the first round.

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Alvin Robertson
NBA / Veoshock !! via YouTube
With some of the quickest reflexes ever seen in the NBA, this player had the most steals in a season. Who is he?
Don Buse
Alvin Robertson
Slick Watts
Michael Jordan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alvin Robertson was selected with the seventh pick in the 1984 NBA draft. He was drafted behind future legends like Charles Barkley, Akeem Olajuwon, and Michael Jordan.

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Mark Eaton
Wiki Commons by United States Forest Service
No one could get a ball over this NBA defender. Who holds the record for the most blocks in a season?
Charles Oakley
Dennis Rodman
Yao Ming
Mark Eaton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mark Eaton stood at 7 ft 4 in during his NBA career. His height made him a lethal defender who opposing teams struggled to score against.

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James Harden
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Known for his overly aggressive nature, who set the single-season record for turnovers?
James Harden
Allen Iverson
Larry Bird
Russell Westbrook
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

James Harden was named the NBA MVP in 2018. That season, he led the Houston Rockets to the Western Conference Finals, but they lost in seven games to the Golden State Warriors.

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Kobe Bryant
Wiki Commons by Sgt. Joseph A. Lee
Which Lakers' player holds the single-season record for points scored by a Laker?
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Shaquille O'Neal
Kobe Bryant
Jerry West
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kobe Bryant finished his NBA career at the end of the 2016 season. In his final NBA game, Bryant put up 60 points at the age of 37.

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Bill Russell
Wiki Commons
An 11-time NBA champion, who holds the Celtics' record for rebounds in a season?
Robert Parish
Kevin McHale
Kevin Garnett
Bill Russell
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1966, Bill Russell was hired on as a player-coach for the Celtics. With his hire, he became the first African-American coach in the league.

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Allen Iverson
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
An undersized guard who had to make it up with his quickness, this NBA player holds the 76ers' record for most steals in a season. Who is he?
Julius Irving
Allen Iverson
Hal Greer
Charles Barkley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A four-time NBA scoring champion, Allen Iverson knew how to put the ball in the hoop. Throughout his playoff career, Iverson averaged over 29 points per game.

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John Starks
Wiki Commons by Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com / www.basketballphoto.com/NBA_Basketball_Photographs.htm
Known for his fierce rivalry with Reggie Miller, this Knicks' player set a single-season franchise record for most three-pointers made in a season. Who is he?
John Starks
Willis Reed
Patrick Ewing
Carmelo Anthony
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

John Starks is most well-known for a play referred to as "The Dunk." The play occurred in the 1993 NBA Eastern Conference Finals, where Starks dunked over Bulls power forward Horace Grant.

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Shaquille O'Neal
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
A dominant force under the basket, this player set the single-season record for defensive rebounds by a rookie. Who is he?
Charles Barkley
Tim Duncan
Oscar Robinson
Shaquille O'Neal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Shaquille O'Neal has had as successful a career off the court as on the court. The former center has been an actor, philanthropist, and even a sheriff's deputy.

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Mark Jackson
Wiki Commons by HeelSports
A future NBA coach, this player came into the league his rookie season and racked up a record 868 assists. Who is he?
Steve Kerr
Mark Jackson
Isiah Thomas
Steve Nash
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mark Jackson coached the Golden State Warriors from 2011 until 2014. A year after he was let go, the Warriors won the NBA championship.

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Oscar Robertson
Wiki Commons by Sport Magazine Archives
This balanced star was the first player to average a triple-double in a season. Who is he?
Oscar Robertson
Larry Bird
Kobe Bryant
Michael Jordan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nicknamed "The Big O," Oscar Robertson was the NBA assists leader six times during his career. He was named the NBA MVP in 1964.

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Kevin Durant
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
A four-time NBA scoring champion, this player holds the Thunders' single-season record for points. Who is he?
Russell Westbrook
James Harden
Kevin Durant
Paul George
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Unable to win a title, Kevin Durant left the Oklahoma City Thunder to join the Golden State Warriors. Durant was criticized for the decision because he was joining a team that had won the NBA title two years prior.

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Bill Walton
Wiki Commons by Sport Magazine
Although injuries would eventually slow him down, who set the Trail Blazers' single-season record for blocks?
Bill Walton
Terry Porter
Clyde Drexler
LaMarcus Aldridge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bill Walton played college basketball at UCLA from 1971 until 1974. Walton was taken with the first pick in the 1974 NBA draft.

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Ray Allen
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Who attempted the most three-pointers in a season for the Milwaukee Bucks?
Glenn Robinson
Ray Allen
Oscar Robertson
Michael Redd
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ray Allen was never able to win an NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks. However, he did win titles with both the Boston Celtics in 2008 and the Miami Heat in 2013.

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Isiah Thomas
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Holding the Pistons' single-season record for steals, which former star is this?
Dennis Rodman
Chauncey Billups
Ben Wallace
Isiah Thomas
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Isiah Thomas was left off of the 1992 men's Olympic basketball team that became known as "The Dream Team." It's widely believed that Michael Jordan played a part in keeping Thomas off of the team because of a feud between the two legends.

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Michael Jordan
Wiki Commons by Steve Lipofsky Basketballphoto.com
Although he's regarded as one of the greatest players of all-time, who set the Bulls' record for missed field goals in a season?
Scottie Pippen
Derrick Rose
Michael Jordan
Jimmy Butler
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michael Jordan was a six-time NBA champion and five-time NBA MVP. The only thing that slowed Jordan down was his decision to leave the NBA for two seasons during his prime when he tried his hand at baseball.

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Manute Bol
NBA / LamarMatic via YouTube
A 7 ft, 7 in giant, this player holds the record for blocks in a rookie season. Who is he?
Yao Ming
Manute Bol
Gheorghe Muresan
Bill Russell
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Manute Bol was a Sudanese player who entered the league in 1985. Bol was dominant on defense, but he never pulled together an offensive game, averaging only 2.6 points per game during the regular season.

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Lebron James
Wiki Commons by Tim Shelby
Which former Cavaliers' player set the single-season record for free throw attempts in the 2005-06 season?
Kyrie Irving
Mark Price
Brad Daugherty
Lebron James
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Lebron James left the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2010 to join the Miami Heat. After winning two titles in Miami, Lebron returned to Cleveland and helped his home state win a championship in 2016.

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David Lee
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
Drafted in 2005, this player set the Golden State Warriors' record for defensive rebounds in a season. Who is he?
Draymond Green
Tim Hardaway
David Lee
Chris Mullen
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

David Lee was a two-time NBA All-Star with the Golden State Warriors. Lee left the team after winning an NBA title in 2015.

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Steve Nash
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
An All-Star caliber point guard, who holds the Suns' single-season record for free throw percentage?
Steve Nash
Charles Barkley
Alvan Adams
Tom Chambers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Steve Nash won back to back NBA MVPs in 2005 and 2006. Many critics believe those awards should have gone to Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant respectively.

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Dwight Howard
Wiki Commons by Keith Allison
In the 2007-08 season, this player set the Magic's single-season record for defensive rebounds. Who is he?
Dwight Howard
Shaquille O'Neal
Tracy McGrady
Penny Hardaway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dwight Howard watched the NBA change right in front of him. Before he came along, the NBA was all about the center position. However, that changed as three-pointers became more popular around the league.

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Ron Harper
Wiki Commons by Chamber of Fear
Struggling his first year in the league, this player turned the ball over a record 345 times his rookie season. Who is he?
Jason Kidd
Moses Malone
James Harden
Ron Harper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ron Harper was an important role player on the Bulls in the late '90s and the Lakers in the early '00s. He won five NBA championships between the two teams.

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David Robinson
Wiki Commons by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy
Nicknamed "The Admiral," who holds the Spurs' single-season record for blocks per game?
Tim Duncan
David Robinson
Khawi Leonard
Manu Ginobili
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alongside Tim Duncan, David Robinson was part of one of the best front courts in NBA history. Known as the "Twin Towers," they won two NBA titles together.

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Dirk Nowitzki
Wiki Commons by Mwinog2777
One of the greatest foreign players to hit the NBA, this player holds the Mavericks' single-season record for free throws. Who is he?
Tony Parker
Luca Doncic
Dirk Nowitzki
J.J. Barea
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dirk Nowitzki went on a tear in the 2011 NBA Playoffs, as he put up spectacular performance after performance. In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, Nowitzki even set a​ playoff record by hitting 24 straight free throws.

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Wiki Commons by Keith Allison