This Date in NBA History (April 10): Dominique Wilkins secures lone career scoring title in 1986 and more

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Dominique Wilkins

On April 10th in 1986, the penultimate game for the Atlanta Hawks, Dominique Wilkins went off for a career-high 57 points (21-37 FGs; 15-19 FTs) in a 126-117 home win. 

With this career-high performance, Wilkins secured the only scoring title of his 15-year NBA career. 

Of the 78 games he played, he averaged 30.3 points per game, narrowly edging out the Denver Nuggets Alex English (29.8 points in 81 games) and Adrian Dantley (29.8 points in 76 games).

Nicknamed "Human Highlight Film", Wilkins was most fondly remembered for his hammering dunks including those during the All-Star Dunk Contests especially the epic duel with Michael Jordan in 1988.

In 12 of his 15 years in the league, Wilkins represented the Hawks giving the franchise numerous memories. In 2001, he had #21 retired by the franchise and in 2006, he was elected in to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Other notable events on April 10th

  • In 1991, Dallas Mavericks guard Derek Harper scored 34 points in a 91-97 road loss to the Utah Jazz. With that tally, he became the first person in NBA history to improve his scoring average in each of his first eight seasons. He finished the season with 19.7 points per game average.
  • In 1999, the Chicago Bulls lost 82-49 to the Miami Heat. Their points tally is the least scored by a franchise since the shot-clock was introduced. In addition, their 18 made field goals were an NBA-low too. 
  • In 2011, Ty Lawson, for the Denver Nuggets, went off for a career-high 37 points (11-16 FGs; 10-11 3Ps) in a 130-106 win. Going 10-of-10 from 3-point range to begin the game, he set an NBA record for most consecutive 3-pointers to open the game. 

Game-winning buzzer-beaters on April 10th

Noah Vonleh vs. San Antonio Spurs in 2017

Caron Butler vs. Toronto Raptors in 2009

Mike Sweetney vs. Indiana Pacers in 2005

Elden Campbell vs. Washington Wizards in 2000

Kevin Garnett vs. Detroit Pistons in 2000

Danny Ferry vs. New Jersey Nets in 1993

Bill Lambeer vs. Indiana Pacers in 1985

Bill Lambeer vs. Indiana Pacers in 1984

Jerry West vs. Boston Celtics in 1962

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