The 5 largest audiences in history for an NBA game
The next night we got to experience a moment of NBA history. In fact, 63,592 spectators are expected at the Alamodome in San Antonio for the meeting between the Spurs and the Golden State Warriors, which will become the largest attendance of all time. In the meantime, let’s go back to 5 other games that brought together the most fans to date.
Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls
Date: March 27, 1998
Location: Georgia Dome (Atlanta)
Number of viewers: 62,046
In full on The Last Dance, Michael Jordan’s Bulls got the crowd moving more than ever. Evidence that MJ’s visit to Atlanta on March 27, 1998 drew at least 62,046 spectators at the Georgia Dome – an NBA record. That season, the Falcons played exclusively in the city’s indoor football stadium while awaiting the opening of their new arena, which would replace the Omni Coliseum. The Atlanta franchise initially limited attendance to 57,000 for security reasons, but sold cheap tickets in the final hours to break the previous record. Those who wanted to watch Michael Jordan one last time, or who never had the opportunity to watch him in person, jumped on him to see Jojo lead Chicago to a 34-point victory.
The Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks square off in front of a record crowd of 62,046 at the Georgia Dome. It was March 27, 1998, and this date remained in NBA history. The Bulls beat the Hawks 89-74, and Michael Jordan scored 34 points. #NBA #NBATwitter #ChicagoBulls #Hawks #LastDance pic.twitter.com/H97QG5hWi0
-Christos Harpidis (@chrisalucard) June 4, 2020
Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics
Date: January 29, 1988
Venue: Pontiac Silverdome (Pontiac)
Number of viewers: 61,983
Prior to March 1998, the Hawks–Bulls attendance record was held by the Detroit Pistons franchise, which hosted the Boston Celtics on January 29, 1988, in front of almost 62,000 people at the Pontiac Silverdome. The Pistons weren’t playing at Auburn Palace yet. Hills back then, but in this huge indoor stadium that was the stage for the Detroit Lions (the city’s NFL franchise) and even supercross races. Later that day, the Detroit Bad Boys (Isiah Thomas, Dennis Rodman, Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn, etc.) used this record-breaking night to give their Boston rivals, led by Larry, a bit of a whimper (a 125-108 win for Detroit). Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. “It was amazing to watch the stands and see so many people” the late Chuck Daly said after the meeting.
Detroit Pistons – Philadelphia 76ers
Date: February 14, 1987
Venue: Pontiac Silverdome (Pontiac)
Number of viewers: 52,745
Back in Michigan, still at the Pontiac Silverdome, the NBA saw its attendance record (44,180 fans until February 1986) break on February 14, 1987, between the Detroit Pistons and the Philadelphia 76ers. with at least 52,745 spectators inside the stadium. Led by Adrian Dantley (35 points), Vinnie Johnson (24 points) or Joe Dumars (20 points), Detroit made short work of Julius Erving’s group that day with a 125-107 victory.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Denver Nuggets
Date: April 17, 1990
Venue: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome (Minneapolis)
Number of viewers: 49,551
In 1990, the Minnesota Timberwolves played their first season in their history (they were founded as an expansion team in 1989), but did not yet have a designated hall. While awaiting the opening of Target Center for the 1990–91 campaign, the Wolves thus thrived in the Metrodome, an indoor stadium that was home to the Minnesota Vikings (the city’s NFL franchise). On April 17, 1990, the final home game of the Wolves’ first season drew 49,551 against the Denver Nuggets in a 99–89 Denver victory. Notably, that year, the Minnesota franchise set a new NBA record for total attendance over an entire season (1,072,572 in 41 home games).
Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks
Date: March 30, 1988
Venue: Pontiac Silverdome (Pontiac)
Number of viewers: 47,692
On March 30, 1988, Pontiac drew an estimated 47,700 for the Detroit Pistons vs. Atlanta Hawks game. It is the fifth largest attendance in history for an NBA game during those streaks and the third game played at the Silverdome. Unlike the other two, despite Mister Isiah Thomas’ XXL game (35 points), the Pistons lost to Dominique Wilkins’ group 103-102 that day.
Uncategorized: NBA All-Star Game 2010
Date: February 14, 2010
Location: Cowboys Stadium (Arlington)
Number of viewers: 108,713
It’s not a regular season or playoff game, so it’s in a class of its own. But the all-time largest crowd for an NBA basketball game was the 2010 All-Star Game in front of 108,713 in the legendary Dallas Cowboys (NFL franchise) new stadium. It is also the largest crowd for a basketball game. Shining the brightest on this massive, star-studded stage was Dwyane Wade, the Heat guard who finished as the All-Star Game MVP (28 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 steals) after leading the Eastern Conference to 141 points. -139 wins.
10 years ago on this date @DwyaneWade Was named 2010 NBA All-Star Game MVP with 28 PTS and 11 AST! ⚡️
? 2020 #NBAAllStar Game:
Sunday (2/16), 8pm, TNT pic.twitter.com/b1rBFVygDk— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 14, 2020
