It’s the NBA playoffsnothing more and nothing less rather than the stage that defines an entire seasonthat which marks the success or failure of a work, the line between being remembered or buried by history.
Over the course of the NBA’s 76-year history, countless postseason events have occurred. Unforgettable actions by players like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar or records that today seem more than impossible.
Ahead of the 2023 Playoffs, it’s good to remember the most important brands in history.
The best individual marks of the Playoffs
Most points in a game: Michael Jordan, 63
- Date: April 20, 1986
- Statistics: 63 points, 22-41 double-doubles, 19-21 free throws, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks.
- The following: Elgin Baylor (61), Donovan Mitchell (57).
Most rebounds in one game: Wilt Chamberlain, 41
- Date: April 5, 1967
- The following: Bill Russell (40, three times).
Most assists in one game: Magic Johnson and John Stockton, 24
- Date: 15 May 1984 / 17 May 1988
- The following: Magic Johnson, John Stockton and Steve Nash (23).
Most steals in a game: Allen Iverson, 10
- Date: May 13, 1999
- The following: Rick Barry, Lionel Hollins, Maurice Cheeks, Craig Hodges, Tim Hardaway (2 times) and Mookie Blaylock, with 8.
Most blocks in a game: Mark Eaton, Hakeem Olajuwon and Andrew Bynum, 10
- Date: April 26, 1985 / April 29, 1990 / April 29, 2012
Most 3-pointers in a game: Damian Lillard, 12
- Date: June 1, 2021
- The following: Klay Thompson, with 11.
Individual Playoff Sets
Most games played: LeBron James, 266
- The following: Derek Fisher (259), Tim Duncan (251).
Most points: LeBron James, 7,631
- The following: Michael Jordan (5,987), Kareem Abdul Jabbar (5,762).
Most rebounds: Bill Russell, 4,104
- The following: Wilt Chamberlain (3,913), Tim Duncan (2,859).
Most assists: Magic Johnson, 2,346
- The following: LeBron James (1,919), John Stockton (1,839).
Most steals: LeBron James, 454
- The following: Scottie Pippen (395), Michael Jordan (376)
Most blocks: Tim Duncan, 568
- The following: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (477), Hakeem Olajuwon (472)
Most 3-pointers made: Stephen Curry, 561
- The following: Klay Thompson (451), LeBron James (432)
Best playoff averages
Points: Michael Jordan, 33.45
- The following: Luka Doncic (32.54), Allen Iverson (29.73), Kevin Durant (29.49)
Rebounds: Bill Russell, 24.87
- The following: Wilt Chamberlain (24.46), Wes Anseld (14.93)
Assist: Magic Johnson, 12.35
- The following: John Stockton (10.10), John Wall (9.84).
Steals: Baron Davis, 2.28
- The following: Maurice Cheeks (2.22), Rick Barry (2.21).
Blocks: Hakeem Olajuwon, 3.26
- The following: Mark Eaton (2.84), Manute Bol (2.66).
team record
Most points in one game: Boston Celtics, 157
- Date: 4/28/1990 157-128 vs. New York Knicks.
Most First Half Points: Cleveland Cavaliers, 86
- Date: 6/9/2017 vs. Golden State
Most Second Half Points: Milwaukee Bucks, 87
- Date: 4/23/1978 vs. Denver Nuggets
Most points in first quarter: Cleveland Cavaliers, 49
- Date: 6/9/2017 vs. Golden State
Most points in the second quarter: Boston Celtics, 46
- Date: 27/3/1960 vs. St. Louis and 3/24/1968 vs. Detroit
Most points in the third quarter: Philadelphia 76ers, 51
- Date: 15/4/2019 vs. Brooklyn
Most points in the fourth quarter: LA Lakers, 51
- Date: 31/3/1962 vs. Detroit
Most Overtime Points: LA Lakers, 22
- Date: 1/5/1970 vs. New York Knicks.
Largest margin of victory: 58
- Minneapolis 133 – St.Louis 75 (19/3/1956)
- Denver 121 – New Orleans 63 (4/27/2009)
Most 3-pointers in a game: Cleveland Cavaliers, 25
- Date: 4/5/2016 vs. Atlanta Hacks
Most assists in one game: San Antonio Spurs, 51
- Date: 5/4/1983 vs. Denver
Most Steals in a Game: Golden State Warriors, 22
- Date: 14/4/1975 vs. Seattle
Most blocks in a game: Philadelphia 76ers, 20
- Date: 4/5/1981 vs. Milwaukee
Most losses in one game: Chicago Bulls, 36
- Date: 4/17/1977 vs. Portland
The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA or its organizations.
