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The NBA has witnessed some sparkling individual performances in its 74 years of existence. The likes of Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and David Robinson all put in memorable displays on the court, breaking numerous records in the process.
More recently, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony and James Harden have all set scoring records with some breathtaking displays in front of awestruck fans.
While most of those displays were rewarded with victories, there were a few performances that ended in disappointing defeats.
Here, we take a look at the 5 best individual NBA performances in a losing cause since 2010:
#5 James Harden (58 points vs Brooklyn Nets)
James Harden had a monster 2018/19 campaign, averaging 36.1 points per game. Harden set numerous records over the course of the season, but was unable to lead the Houston Rockets to the NBA championship.
Nevertheless, he put in quite a few memorable performances, including one against the Brooklyn Nets in January.
Harden entered the clash against the Nets on the back of a 57-point display against the Memphis Grizzlies, and he continued from where he had left off, pouring in 58 in a 145-142 overtime loss. In the process, Harden became the first player to score at least 55 points in back-to-back games since Wilt Chamberlain in the early '60s.
Harden shot 16-of-34 from the field and 21-of-23 from the free throw line. He also added 10 rebounds and six assists but was unable to lead the Rockets to victory.
#4 Devin Booker (59 points vs Utah Jazz)
Devin Booker has been the face of the Phoenix Suns ever since being drafted with the 13th overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft.
Booker has developed into one of the finest shooters in the league and showcased his wide range of skills during the Suns' loss to the Utah Jazz earlier this year.
Booker broke a number of records during his 59-point performance, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 50 points in a game which his team lost by at least 30.
The then-22-year-old went 19-for-34 from the field and made five 3-pointers in a fine shooting display. He also made 16 of 17 free throws and finished with 59 points, while the rest of his team combined for just 33.
#3 Kemba Walker (60 points vs Philadelphia 76ers)
Kemba Walker carried the Charlotte Hornets franchise on his shoulders for many years and it was never more evident than during a game against the Philadelphia 76ers last year.
Walker outscored the rest of his teammates, finishing with 60 points in a 122-119 overtime loss.
The point guard managed 58 points in regulation, making 20 of his 29 field goal attempts. He kept the Hornets in the contest in the second half, scoring 16 in the third quarter.
Walker also finished with seven rebounds, four assists and four steals and set numerous franchise records on the night.
#2 Damian Lillard (60 points vs Brooklyn Nets)
Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has had quite a few monster performances over the course of his career, but even he couldn't have envisaged just what was going to go down when the Nets rolled into town,
Lillard entered the clash against the Nets, nursing several injuries, but that did not stop him from dropping a franchise-record 60 points.
The Trail Blazers had dropped three straight games heading into this contest and Lillard was determined to get them back to winning ways.
Lillard shot 57.6 percent from the field, making 19 of his 33 attempts. He also went 7 for 16 from three-point range to end with 60 points, but received little to no support from his teammates who combined to shoot 32.8 percent from the field.
The Trail Blazers eventually succumbed to a 119-115 defeat, marking their fourth loss on the trot, although Lillard did become the 27th player in NBA history to score 60 or more points in a game.
#1 Devin Booker (70 points vs Boston Celtics)
Devin Booker features for the second time on this list. Booker put on inarguably the best performance of his career in a game against the Boston Celtics back in 2017 which unfortunately ended in defeat.
The Phoenix Suns entered this contest with the Celtics, having beaten Brad Stevens' side a few weeks prior.
However, the Celtics were gunning for revenge and dominated from the outset, racing away to a 23-point lead at half-time. That did not stop Booker from taking the game by the scruff of the neck and racking up a ton of personal milestones.
Booker finished with a mind-boggling 70 points, making 21 of his 40 field goal attempts. He was near-perfect from the charity stripe as well, missing just 2 of 26 attempts.
51 of Booker's points came in the second half as he tried to rally his side to a victory, although the Suns eventually came up short, succumbing to a 130-120 defeat.
With his monster 70-point performance, Booker joined Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, David Robinson and Elgin Baylor as the only players to have amassed 70 points in an NBA game.
