Dave Zinkoff

The text exclusively documents Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game on March 2, 1962, for the Philadelphia Warriors against the New York Knicks at Hershey Sports Arena. It details the attendance of 4,124 spectators, the lack of video footage, and the absence of New York press members covering the event.

Quick Facts

Affiliation: New York Knicks (Radio/TV)

Lore & Background

It notes that the game was not televised and no video footage has been recovered, with only audio recordings of the fourth quarter preserved by the Library of Congress in 2016. Because the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) considered not renewing the league's television contract at the time, and the NBA struggled to compete against college basketball, there is no mention of a lead play-by-play announcer for the Knicks on radio or TV within this specific document. The only media presence mentioned includes the Warriors' publicist acting as a stringer for AP, UPI, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, alongside just two photographers in attendance.

Reader's Guide

This document serves as a record of a singular sporting event where the media landscape was sparse. It highlights that the game took place at Hershey Sports Arena, located 85 miles from Philadelphia, with an attendance of approximately half capacity (4,124). For researchers interested in this specific era, the source points to the audio recording of the fourth quarter as the only surviving visual or auditory evidence of the event. It notes that Chamberlain set five other league records during the game, including most free throws made, and that the teams broke the record for combined points with a total of 316. Chick Hearn later recounted a story about Elgin Baylor predicting Chamberlain would score 100 points after a previous 78-point game.

Did You Know?

No video footage of Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game exists; only audio recordings of the fourth quarter remain, preserved in the National Recording Registry since 2016.
The New York Knicks' starting center, Phil Jordon, was out with an illness widely suspected to be a hangover, leading to Darrall Imhoff starting instead.
Only two photographers were present at the game because New York press members were in Florida covering spring training for baseball teams.
The game was played at Hershey Sports Arena, a drafty gym originally built for ice hockey where the smell of chocolate permeated the building.
Chamberlain scored 78 points earlier in the season against the Los Angeles Lakers in triple overtime, breaking Elgin Baylor's previous record of 71.