Madison Square Garden exterior at night
Madison Square Garden, affectionately known as “The Mecca” or “The Garden,” is a legendary arena that has hosted some of the most iconic moments in basketball history. From Wilt Chamberlain’s 43-point, 28-rebound performance in his NBA debut to Michael Jordan’s 55-point masterpiece against the Knicks, MSG has witnessed the rise and fall of basketball’s greatest stars.
Tonight, a new chapter will be written in MSG history as Victor Wemby takes the court for the first time. The 7-foot-4 French phenom is considered a generational talent, and his MSG debut is sure to be one of the most highly anticipated events of the NBA season.
But before Wemby takes to the hallowed hardwood, let’s take a look at some of the highest-scoring MSG debuts in NBA history:
Top List
- Wilt Chamberlain: 43 points, 28 rebounds (October 24, 1959): In his NBA debut, Chamberlain showed why he was considered the most dominant player in the game. He scored 43 points and grabbed 28 rebounds in a Philadelphia Warriors win over the New York Knicks.
- Elvin Hayes: 39 points, 17 rebounds (October 12, 1968): Hayes, playing for the San Diego Rockets, scored 39 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in his MSG debut against the Knicks.
- Pete Maravich: 40 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists (January 24, 1970): Maravich, playing for the Atlanta Hawks, scored 40 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in his MSG debut against the Knicks.
- Jay Vincent: 40 points, 10 rebounds (January 23, 1982): Vincent, playing for the Detroit Pistons, scored 40 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in his MSG debut against the Knicks.
- Michael Jordan: 42 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists (January 5, 1985): Jordan, playing for the Chicago Bulls, scored 42 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in his MSG debut against the Knicks.
These are just a few of the many memorable MSG debuts that have taken place over the years. With Wemby set to take the court tonight, we can expect to see another chapter added to the Garden’s rich history.
