The NBA Playoffs are the following degree of basketball, when the depth goes up and the stakes are at their highest.
The match-ups within the playoffs are a chance for the largest stars to shine the brightest on the largest stage, in entrance of the watching NBA world.
And it is usually somewhat more durable for gamers to rack up enormous scores, as an example, Kobe Bryant’s insane 81-point sport got here in the course of the common season, as was Wilt Chamberlain’s well-known 100 factors.
The bar for the excessive scoring particular person sport within the playoffs is somewhat decrease, as a result of additional intense defenses – and it is probably not shock that Michael Jordan ranks at primary.
Here’s a breakdown of the highest particular person playoff performances of all time…
Michael Jordan introduced himself to the basketball world in Sport 2 of a primary spherical playoff sport in opposition to the Boston Celtics in 1986, setting a document that also stands nearly a full 40 years later.
It was not sufficient to cease the Chicago Bulls shedding 135-131 in double extra time, with the Celtics sweeping a younger Jordan 4-0 within the collection, on the way in which to successful the championship.
Talking after the sport, Larry Hen famously mentioned: “I didn’t suppose anybody was able to doing what Michael has performed to us. He’s essentially the most thrilling, superior participant within the sport at the moment. I believe it’s simply God disguised as Michael Jordan.”
The document Michael Jordan broke belonged to LA Lakers legend Elgin Baylor, the previous primary general draft choose in 1958.
4 years later he had proved why it was a wise selection, setting a NBA document on the time that even now ranks because the quantity two of all time within the playoffs.
Baylor’s 61 factors additionally got here in opposition to the Boston Celtics, for the Lakers, nevertheless it was not sufficient to cease the Jap Convention juggernaut successful the collection, and the title.

The best particular person playoff sport in latest seasons got here from Donovan Mitchell for the Utah Jazz in opposition to the Denver Nuggets.
Mitchell’s 57 factors got here contained in the NBA Bubble in 2020 – however similar to Elgin Baylor and Michael Jordan’s huge performances, it didn’t cease him ending up on the shedding facet, with the Denver Nuggets successful 135-125.
The Jazz went on to blow a 3-1 collection lead, and this marked the start of the top for that group, with Mitchell leaving for the Cavaliers in 2022.
The 56 level marker has been reached 4 separate instances in NBA Playoffs historical past, every by totally different gamers.
Whereas Jordan, Baylor and Mitchell’s huge scores got here in losses, all 4 participant to attain 56 factors did so to steer their groups to victories, sharing the honour of scoring essentially the most factors in a NBA Playoffs win.
Participant | 12 months | Crew | Rating |
Jimmy Butler | 2023 | Miami Warmth | 119-114 (W) vs Bucks |
Charles Barkley | 1994 | Phoenix Suns | 140-133 (W) vs Warriors |
Michael Jordan | 1992 | Chicago Bulls | 119-114 (W) vs Warmth |
Wilt Chamberlain | 1962 | Philadelphia Warriors | 121-104 (W) vs Syracuse |