What is the most number of points by a player in an NBA Playoff game?
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum had a shooting showdown in Game 6 of the NBA Playoffs semifinal round. How do their numbers stack up in history?
Game 6 of the NBA Playoffs second-round series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics bore witness to a shooting showdown between heavyweights Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum.
Giannis and Jayson combine for 90 points
The Greek Freak served up 44 points for the Bucks, but this impressive number was eclipsed by Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum, who came up with 46.
The offensive salvo from both players made the matchup thrilling to watch, but their numbers are still a long way away from setting a playoff record.
Surprisingly, Wilt Chamberlain, the player who holds the highest score for a regular season game (an impossible 100!) is not at the top of this particular list.
Top scorer in the NBA Playoffs: Michael Jordan
The highest number of points scored in a playoff match was recorded by Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan in April, 1986, when he racked up 63 points in Game 2 of their opening round series against the Boston Celtics.
However, this extraordinary performance was not enough to power the Bulls to victory, with the Celtics edging them out, 135-131.
Sitting in second place for highest score in a playoff game is Elgin Baylor who played for the Los Angeles Lakers. He made 61 points, and once again, the record-setting game which took place in 1962 was played against the Celtics.
Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz recorded a high of 57 in 2020 and ranks third, while Charles Barkley (1994), Jordan (1992), and Chamberlain (1962) are tied for fourth place with 56 points apiece.
Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers has the fifth highest number of postseason points in a single game with 55, which he accomplished just last year.