The Best NBA Postseason Single-Game Performances of All Time
The NBA playoffs are the place where superstars elevate their teams to great heights. These performances carry a lot of weight, even if it's just in the box score. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the best playoff single-game performances of all time.
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Michael Jordan's 63-point masterpiece in Game 2 of the 1986 Eastern Conference first round against Boston still stands as the single-game scoring record in the NBA. He also set the record for most points in a game in the pre-shot clock era. Although his performance came in a double-overtime loss, it's still a mark that can't be surpassed.
Magic Johnson scored 42 points in the 1980 NBA Finals to become the first rookie in history to be named the MVP. Johnson was the first player to start all four games in a championship series and he played every position. As a rookie, he earned the respect of his opponents, which is important when it comes to winning an NBA title. After the game, Larry Bird called him the greatest player in his third year.
LeBron James has had four championships, which will define his legacy. His 41-point Game 6 in Golden State will be his most famous individual playoff performance. He also had seven assists, eight rebounds and a block. This performance forced a Game 7 in Golden State. Afterwards, he'll be remembered for the chase-down block that ended the series.
James Harden has a modest postseason resume, but he's done a good job forcing games to go to overtime. That's not to say that his record-breaking performances in the past weren't impressive. It just means that his postseason career is a bit behind that of other stars.
While the NBA's highest scoring game of all time is a tie between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, two players who matched up in the regular season, their playoff performances are a bit different. They are both on the list of the five best performances in the postseason, but they aren't tied for the top spot.
For those who wonder how a star like James Harden can make the list of the best players in the playoffs, look at the other top performers. Among the top three are Barry Battu, Klay Thompson and Russ. Interestingly, each one of these players had a chance to break the league's single-game scoring record in the NBA Finals.
Barry Battu had a 55-point outing against the Philadelphia 76ers in 1967, but he missed the shot that would have given him a win. His team, the San Francisco Warriors, defeated them in a 130-124 victory.
Similarly, Russ and KD looked unbeatable for four games, but they were stymied in their quest for a title. They lost 128-125 in a double-overtime game. Even though this wasn't as close as it might have been, it's still a testament to the power of the Rockets.
Despite his impressive individual accomplishments, it's clear that the future of the NBA belongs to Magic Johnson. The NBA's winningest player has also solidified his legacy as a future Hall of Famer.
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