Cliff Hagan Reflects on Wilt Chamberlain’s Unbelievable 8 Blocks and 20 points in 10 Minutes Against the St. Louis Hawks.

Cliff Hagan Reflects on Wilt Chamberlain’s Unbelievable 8 Blocks and 20 points in 10 Minutes Against the St. Louis Hawks

On January 14, 1967, in a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the St. Louis Hawks, Wilt Chamberlain delivered one of his most astonishing performances, one that remains etched in the memories of those who witnessed it. The legend recorded 20 points, 20 rebounds, 8 assists, and an incredible 8 blocks—all within just 10 minutes of play. For Cliff Hagan, one of the Hawks’ stars at the time, the memory of that game is as vivid as ever.

Speaking decades later about the event, Hagan, who had faced Chamberlain numerous times during his career, described the experience as nothing short of extraordinary. “I’ve played against Wilt many times, and I’ve seen him do some unbelievable things on the court,” Hagan recalled. “But that night, it was like he was playing on a different level. To record 8 blocks in 10 minutes—it was something I’d never seen before and probably will never see again.”

Hagan emphasized how dominating Chamberlain was in every facet of the game that night. “Wilt was always known for his scoring and rebounding, but people sometimes forget how good he was defensively. In those 10 minutes, he completely shut down the paint. You could see the frustration on our guys’ faces. Every time we tried to get something going inside, Wilt was there, swatting shots away as if it were nothing.”

For Hagan, the performance was a testament to Chamberlain’s all-around brilliance and his ability to impact the game beyond just scoring. “What made Wilt so special was that he could do it all. His numbers were always mind-boggling, but it was the way he controlled the game that stood out. On that night, he wasn’t just blocking shots; he was altering everything we tried to do offensively.”

Hagan also touched on how Chamberlain’s presence on the court forced teams to adapt. “You had to game plan differently when facing Wilt. He was such a force that you had to think twice about every shot, every pass, every move. And even when you did everything right, he could still shut you down. That game in ’67 was the perfect example—he was everywhere, and it felt like there was nothing we could do.”

The 1966-67 season, during which this game took place, was one of Chamberlain’s most dominant. He led the 76ers to an NBA Championship, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. But for Hagan, that January night stands out not just as a display of Chamberlain’s dominance, but as a moment that captured the awe-inspiring power of a true basketball giant.

As Hagan concluded, “Wilt was one of a kind. I’ve played with and against many great players, but nobody could do what Wilt did. That night, with those 8 blocks in 10 minutes, he showed why he’s in a class of his own. It was crazy—it was Wilt.”

For fans and players alike, Chamberlain’s performance on January 14, 1967, remains a reminder of the heights that basketball excellence can reach—a pinnacle that Wilt Chamberlain often seemed to touch with ease.