The National Basketball Association’s record for the fewest combined points in a single contest is held by a 1950 game between the Fort Wayne Pistons and the Minneapolis Lakers. The final score in that game was 19-18. This stands as the record for the lowest-scoring game in NBA history.
This contest is notable not only for its exceptionally low score, but also because it occurred during a period when the game was undergoing significant rule changes aimed at increasing scoring. The slow pace and deliberate offense employed by the Pistons, particularly in the second half, prompted the league to implement the 24-second shot clock to prevent stalling tactics and encourage more dynamic play. The game serves as a historical marker, highlighting the need for measures to improve the game’s entertainment value.
