The Long-Distance Duel: When Two NBA Stars Battled for History 1,000 Miles Apart
George Gervin vs David Thompson
Listen to Podcast
April 9, 2025
On April 9th, 1978 – exactly 47 years ago today – the NBA witnessed one of its most remarkable scoring duels as George "The Iceman" Gervin and David "Skywalker" Thompson battled for the scoring title in separate games, separated by over a thousand miles, yet connected by their pursuit of greatness.
The Stage Is Set
As the 1977-78 NBA season drew to a close, two former ABA stars found themselves deadlocked in one of the tightest scoring races in league history:
Both players were averaging 27 points per game
Only 14 total points separated them on the season's scoring leaderboard
They were outpacing established NBA stars like Pete Maravich, Bob McAdoo, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
The final day of the regular season would determine which player would claim the coveted scoring title—a significant achievement for these ABA transplants looking to prove their mettle in the NBA just two years after the leagues merged.
The Contenders
David Thompson: "Skywalker"
Athletic guard known for his incredible vertical leap and electrifying play
Led NC State to an undefeated season and NCAA championship in 1974
Selected #1 in both NBA and ABA drafts in 1975 (chose the ABA's Denver Nuggets)
Five-time All-Star and All-Star Game MVP
Known for his high-flying, acrobatic style that influenced future generations
George Gervin: "The Iceman"
Smooth scorer famous for his iconic finger roll
Began his career with the ABA's Virginia Squires before joining the San Antonio Spurs
Known for his cool, calm demeanor on the court—hence the nickname
Would go on to lead the NBA in scoring four times
Nine-time NBA All-Star with a silky-smooth offensive game
Both players were living proof of the ABA's talent level and were helping to legitimize the former rival league's stars in NBA circles.
The Day of Reckoning
On April 9th, 1978, the schedule gave Gervin a distinct advantage—Thompson would play first against the Detroit Pistons, while Gervin's game against the New Orleans Jazz would follow hours later. This meant Gervin would know exactly how many points he needed to secure the scoring title.
Thompson's Historic Performance
With the scoring title at stake, Nuggets coach Larry Brown gave Thompson the green light to shoot at will. Thompson responded with an otherworldly performance:
Exploded for 53 points in the first half alone
Added 20 more in the second half despite exhaustion
Finished with 73 points—the second-highest single-game total in NBA history at that time (behind only Wilt Chamberlain's 100)
Shot an incredible 38-of-52 from the field (73%)
Added 17 free throws on 20 attempts (85%)
Accomplished this feat without the benefit of a three-point line, which wouldn't be adopted by the NBA until the 1979-80 season
Thompson's 73 points remains the fourth-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history today, behind only Wilt Chamberlain's 100, Kobe Bryant's 81, and Chamberlain's 78-point game.
Gervin's Answer
With Thompson's massive total on the board, Gervin now knew he needed 59 points to claim the scoring title. Rising to the challenge:
Gervin matched Thompson's first-half output with 53 points of his own
Included an NBA-record 33 points in the second quarter alone
Added 10 more points in the second half once he had secured the title
Finished with 63 points on 47% shooting from the field
His performance was enough to win the scoring title by the slimmest of margins
The Closest Race in History
When the final calculations were made, George Gervin had edged David Thompson by just 0.07 points per game—the narrowest margin in NBA scoring title history. Gervin finished with an average of 27.22 points per game to Thompson's 27.15.
The seven-hour drama captivated basketball fans across the country as they awaited the final outcome of this unique, long-distance duel.
A Lost Piece of History
Despite the historic nature of these performances, there is no surviving footage of either game. CBS chose to broadcast John Havlicek's farewell game that day instead, and even the local broadcasts and radio recordings have been lost to time.
Like Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game, these performances—which occurred more than a decade later—exist only in box scores and the memories of those fortunate enough to witness them.
Lasting Legacy
The 1978 scoring race had profound impacts on the NBA:
It represented a shift toward superstar-driven narratives in the NBA
Both players embodied the free-flowing offensive style that would define the coming decades
Their scoring prowess would influence future stars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant
The duel demonstrated the talent the ABA had brought to the NBA through the merger
For Thompson, the 73-point explosion remains his most memorable achievement and cemented his place in NBA lore despite a career later hampered by injuries.
Gervin went on to win three more scoring titles, further establishing himself as one of basketball's greatest offensive talents and earning induction into the Hall of Fame in 1996—the same year as Thompson.
Though they never faced each other on this historic day, their statistical battle across the miles created one of basketball's most legendary moments and forever linked these two scoring giants in NBA history.
This newsletter is based on the "Daily Sports History" podcast episode by Ethan Reece. Subscribe to our newsletter for more classic sports moments delivered to your inbox.