Scoring 40 points in a regular season game is no small feat even in this era of scoring explosions. Still, scoring 40 points in the best basketball league in the world requires exceptional skill, unreal confidence, understanding of the game, and endurance. This is especially true in the NBA playoffs, where intensity levels exponentially increase.

The ability to consistently score at such a high level is what sets the best players apart from the rest. It’s what sets mere NBA superstars from the NBA legends of the game. If you’re invested in your team, ask yourself if whether you have a proven NBA icon like Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or LeBron James? If not maybe you should explore better betting options from nongamstopbetsites.com platforms that do not use Gamstop?

The Most 40 point Games in NBA Playoffs

In this article, we’ll take a look at the 20 or so players with the most NBA playoff games with 40 or more points. These players have the most games where they scored at least 40 points, not only solidifying their place as some of the greatest scorers in NBA history but most have multiple championships attached to their names.

1. Michael Jordan (38 games)

It should come as no surprise that Michael Jordan tops the list. Widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time, Jordan was an unstoppable scoring force in the postseason. He dropped 40 or more points in 38 playoff games, including his iconic 63-point performance against the Boston Celtics in 1986—still the most points ever scored in an NBA playoff game. Jordan averaged 33.4 points per playoff game over his career, the highest in NBA history. His unmatched intensity, clutch shot-making, and refusal to lose helped lead the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships—all without ever needing a Game 7 in the Finals. His Finals record remains a perfect 6–0, with six Finals MVPs to match. And if that wasn’t enough, Jordan hit game-winners, played through the flu, and basically treated elimination games like scrimmages.

2. LeBron James (29)

LeBron James is often mentioned in the same breath as Jordan when it comes to all-time greatness, and his playoff résumé holds up against anyone. With 29 playoff games scoring 40 or more points, LeBron has been a postseason force across two decades and counting. His 51-point performance in Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals remains one of the greatest individual displays in Finals history—even if it ended with a J.R. Smith brain freeze. LeBron is also the all-time leader in total playoff points, surpassing Jordan in 2017. In 2020, he led the Lakers to a title in the Orlando bubble, securing his fourth championship with a third franchise. Still active in 2025, he’s the only player in NBA history with 30,000+ points, 10,000+ rebounds, and 10,000+ assists, and he’s still adding to his legacy deep into his 40s.

3. Jerry West (20)

Jerry West, also known as “The Logo” for inspiring the NBA’s emblem, was one of the most dynamic guards of the 1960s and early 1970s. West scored 40+ points in 20 playoff games and averaged 29.1 points per game in the postseason—ranking among the best ever. His 53-point outburst in Game 1 of the 1969 NBA Finals against the Celtics remains one of the top Finals performances in league history. Despite his brilliance, West was often on the wrong end of history, famously losing 8 of the 9 NBA Finals he played in. Still, his lone championship in 1972 and being the only player ever named Finals MVP while on the losing team (1969) speak volumes about his playoff dominance. West’s combination of skill, poise, and intensity made him a relentless postseason performer—even if the rings didn’t always follow.

4. Kevin Durant, Elgin Baylor (14)

Elgin Baylor was a dominant force in the NBA during the 1960s, known for his high-flying acrobatics and his ability to score from anywhere on the court. He had 14 playoff games with 40 or more points, including a 61-point game in the 1962 NBA Finals which is the second most points scored in NBA Playoff history.

Kevin Durant is one of the most versatile scorers in NBA history, able to score from anywhere on the court with ease. He has had 14 playoff games with 40 or more points, including a memorable 49-point performance in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals.

6. Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant (13)

Wilt Chamberlain is one of the most-dominant forces in the history of the game, known for his towering height, strength, athleticism that allowed him to score at will. Despite his crazy numbers in the regular season Wilt has only 13 playoff games with 40 or more points which includes his career high 56-point game in the 1962 playoffs.

Wilt led the league in scoring seven times, but only led the playoffs in points per game once in the 1964 postseason. And in that year, his San Francisco Warriors lost to the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, getting ousted in five games. For context, Wilt averaged 36.2 points in the regular season and his average dropped to 29.2 in the Finals.

Kobe Bryant was one of the most clutch players in NBA history, known for his ability to score in crucial moments. He had 13 playoff games with 40 or more points, including a 50-point game in the 2007 playoffs.

8. Shaquille O’Neal (12)

Shaquille O’Neal was a physical specimen during his prime, combining size, strength, and agility to dominate the competition in ways that made defenders look like traffic cones. He recorded 12 playoff games with 40 or more points, including a monster 46-point, 17-rebound performance against the Sacramento Kings in the 2000 Western Conference Finals—a game that helped power the Lakers toward the start of their early 2000s dynasty. Shaq was especially dominant during that 2000 postseason, averaging 30.4 points and 15.4 rebounds per game, and capping it off with the first of three straight Finals MVPs. His playoff dominance extended across multiple series: he scored 40+ points three times in the 2000 NBA Finals alone, finishing the series with averages of 38 points and 16.7 rebounds. One of the most unstoppable forces the playoffs have ever seen, Shaq’s ability to take over games in the paint was a nightmare for opponents and a dream for meme-makers decades later.

Players with Most 40 Point Playoff Games

9. Hakeem Olajuwon, James Harden (11 games)

Hakeem Olajuwon was a two-time NBA champion and one of the greatest centers in NBA history. The Dream had 11 playoff games with 40 or more points, including a 43 point performance in the 1995 Western Conference Finals teaming up with Clyde Drexler on a Houston Rockets team that became the lowest seed to ever win an NBA championship. Harden is tied with fellow Rockets great Olajuwon and squeaks into the top 10, but is the player with the most 40 point playoff games without a NBA championship.

11. Allen Iverson (10)

Allen Iverson had 10 playoff games in his NBA career where he scored 40 or more points. Iverson was known for his electrifying playing style and ability to take over games with his scoring prowess. At just 6 foot 1, his ten 40-point performances solidifies his place as one of the greatest scorers in NBA playoff history – 11th when it comes to this list.

Look for Iverson, Hakeem and Harden to be lower on this list with the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Devin Booker , and Jalen Brunson already knocking on the door of the list and none of them have reached 30 years old yet. New York Knick legend in the making Brunson already has four 40 point playoff performances in the 2024 postseason.