The 15 Greatest Single-Game Scoring Performances In NBA Playoffs History

After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put on a master class in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals with 34 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds it is worth taking a look at the all time great NBA Playoffs performances. These are the 15 greatest single-game scoring performances in NBA history.

Taking a look at the 15 greatest single-game scoring performances in NBA history is interesting and the list would look a little lopsided if I didn’t combine a few performances into one slide. Most notably, in the #1 slot below is the G.O.A.T., Michael Jordan, who holds 6 of the greatest NBA Playoffs scoring records of all-time. But I though we’d be generous and fill out the full list including all the other greats throughout history!

15. Wilt Chamberlain's 53 Point Game

On March 14, 1960, Philadelphia Warriors legend Wilt Chamberlain put up 53 points against the Syracuse Nationals. During his 47 minutes on the court, Chamberlain also racked up a filthy 22 rebounds. Wilt’s monster game helped Philly blow out the Syracuse Nationals 132-112 in the Conference Semis.

14. Jerry West's 53 Point Game

On April 23rd, 1969 against the Boston Celtics, Lakers star Jerry West went off for 43 points in 46 minutes. He tacked on 10 assists and shot 51.2% from the field.
Jerry West’s heroics were *just enough* to edge Boston and the Lakers would win that game 120-118 in Game 1 of the 1969 NBA Finals.

13. Isaiah Tomas Goes Off Against The Wizards For 53 Points

On 5/2/2017, Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas took over the game and led his team to a 129-119 win over the Washington Wizards. Thomas put up his NBA Playoffs career best stat line of 53 points in 45 minutes. Isaiah went 5-of-12 from the 3pt line and 18-for-33 from the field with 12-of-13 at the free throw line. This game went to overtime in the 2017 Eastern Conference Semifinals but Thomas had 9 of Boston’s 15 points in OT to seal the W for the Celtics.

12. Nikola Jokić Puts His Stamp On 2023 NBA Playoffs With 53-Point Game

In Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals in 2023 (5/7/23), Nikola Jokić had an offensive explosion the fans had been waiting to see. Jokić scored 53 points to tie the series at 2-2 en route to the Nuggets eventually winning the title.
This game was the rare instance of an NBA player GOING OFF and his team still losing. Denver fell to the Suns, 124-129, despite Jokić scoring 53 points with 11 assists and 4 rebounds. There was literally nothing more he could do to will his team to the W.

11. John Havlicek Unloads 54 Points On The Hawks

Boston Celtics shooting guard John Havlicek had the game of his NBA Playoffs life on April 1st, 1973. The (then) 11-year NBA veteran scored a career-best 54 points to lift the Celtics to a W over the Atlanta Hawks, blowing out ATL 134-109. Havlicek went 24-of-36 from the field while dismantling the Hawks.

10. Allen Iverson's 54-Point Game Against Toronto

On May 9th, 2001, ‘The Answer’ threw up an easy 54 points against Vince Carter and the Raptors. Iverson went 21-for-39 from the field, 3-for-5 from the 3pt arc, and a clean 9-for-9 from the free throw line. The 76ers would edge out Toronto in what was Game 2 of the series and they would eventually go on to win the series in 7.

9. San Francisco's Rick Barry's 55-Point Game Against Philly

In Game 3 of the 1967 NBA Finals on April 18, 1967, San Francisco Warriors star Rick Barry put on the show of his career with 55 points against Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers. San Francisco would win the game 130-124 even with 5 Philly players scoring in the double digits. Rick Barry had 12 rebounds and 5 assists to go with his NBA Playoffs career-high 55 points.

8. Allen Iverson's 55 Point Game In 2003

Two years after his 54-point game against the Toronto Raptors, Allen Iverson would go ‘God Mode’ in the NBA Playoffs gain. En route to taking a 1-0 series lead over the (then) New Orleans Hornets, Allen Iverson would score 54 points with 8 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Iverson accounted for over half of Philly’s points in the 98-90 win over New Orleans.

7. Damian Lillard's 55 Points Against Denver

On June 1st, 2021, the Portland Trail Blazers would fall to the Denver Nuggets 140-147 but not for lack of trying on behalf of Damian Lillard who had one of the greatest scoring performances in NBA Playoffs history. Lillard had 55 points in 52 minutes, with 10 assists and 6 rebounds. But nothing could stop the Nuggets that night with Jokić putting up 38 points and Michael Porter Jr. tacking on 26.

6. Wilt Chamberlain's 56-Point Game Against Syracuse

On March 22, 1962 against the Syracuse Nationals, Wilt Chamberlain, who had a 100-point game earlier in the month, scored 56 points in Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Division Semifinals. Chamberlain led the Philadelphia Warriors over Syracuse 121-104 and they would go on to win the series before falling to Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals.

5. Charles Barkley's NBA Playoffs Career Best 56-Point Game

Sir Charles had the best NBA Playoffs game of his Hall of Fame career on May 4th, 1994 against the Golden State Warriors. In a high-scoring affair, Phoenix would win 140-133 thanks in large part to Barkley’s 56 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Phoenix would win that game and take the series 3-0 before falling in the next round to to Houston.

4. Miami's Jimmy Butler Scores 56, Lifts Miami To 3-1 Series Lead

On April 24th, 2023, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler recorded the 4th best scoring game in NBA Playoffs history during the first round against Milwaukee. The Heat beat the Bucks 119-114 Butler going 19-for-28 from the field in 41 minutes on the court. He also had 9 rebounds in the game and went 15-for-18 from the FT line. Giannis and Brook Lopez had stellar games but the Bucks but it just wasn’t enough that night.

3. Donovan Mitchell's Historic 57-Point Game

In the strangest year, 2020, Donovan Mitchell put up 57-points in a game against the Denver Nuggets on August 17th in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Putting up 57 points you would think they HAD to win, right? Not so fast…

Jamal Murray (36 points) and Nikola Jokić (29 points) had incredible nights to hold off the Utah Jazz despite Mitchell’s heroics.

2. Elgin Baylor's 61-Point Game Against The Celtics

In Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals, Los Angeles Lakers’ Elgin Baylor would put up the most points in an NBA Playoffs game by any Laker in history with 61 points. He went 22-for-46 from the field and 17-for-19 from the free throw line. On top of that, Elgin had a monstrous 22 rebounds to help lead the Lakers over the Celtics 126-121.

After falling in a 3-2 hole with that loss, the season looked over for the Boston Celtics but they would win back-to-back games 6 and 7 to take the 1962 NBA Championship.

1. Michael Jordan Had 6 Of The Top 15 Games In NBA Playoffs History

To the LeBron James stans out there wondering where King James is on this list, LeBron’s top NBA Playoffs scoring performance came on 5/31/18 with 51 points against the Golden State Warriors, which is tied for the 23rd best scoring game in NBA Playoffs history… Comparing his NBA Playoffs scoring to Michael Jordan would be laughable.

Michael Jordan had 6 of the top 15 scoring performances in NBA Playoffs history. His best game was on 4/2086 against the Celtics where the Jumpman put up 63 points, the most ever scored by a single player in NBA Playoffs History. His 2nd best scoring game ranks 6th all-time. Jordan had 56 points on 4/29/92 against Miami.

Jordan then tied himself three times for the 10th, 11th, and 12th best performacnes with 55 points on 4/27/97, 6/16//93, and 5/1/88 against Washington, Phoenix, and Cleveland respectively. And last but not least, Jordan’s 15th ranked NBA Playoffs game was a 54-point performance on 5/31/93 against the Knicks.

Several legends appeared twice on this list but NOBODY comes close to Michael Jordan’s NBA Playoffs scoring records.