Scoring 50 points in any game isn’t an easy feat much less putting up 50 (or more) in an NBA playoff game. Considering the thousands of NBA playoff games in the history of the league and the long list of big name playoff performers, postseason fifties are a rare feat achieved by fewer than 30 players throughout the history of the league’s post season.
A 50 point game represents an extraordinary level of offensive dominance and showcases the player’s ability to rise to the occasion in the most crucial moments and most intense environments. This year’s playoffs have been really exciting, so if you’re looking for Knicks tickets tonight – we don’t blame you. Madison Square Garden has been rocking.
Players That Have The Most 50 Point Playoff Games
Let’s look at some of the most impressive 50-point performances in NBA playoff history, featuring iconic players such as Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain, Allen Iverson, Donovan Mitchell, Steph Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
1. Michael Jordan (8)
One of the many arguments for Jordan being the GOAT is that he not only has the most 50 point games in NBA playoff history, but ultimately resulted in six NBA championships with Chicago.
During the 1986 NBA Playoffs, Michael Jordan delivered one of the greatest individual performances in postseason history. Facing the formidable Boston Celtics and their “Big Three,” Jordan erupted for a record-breaking 63 points in a double-overtime game. Despite the Chicago Bulls’ loss, MJ’s scoring outburst against one of the league’s best defensive teams solidified his status as a transcendent talent.
2. Wilt Chamberlain (4)
Known for his dominance and ridiculous scoring records, Wilt Chamberlain had four 50-point playoff games during his illustrious career — and all ended up in wins. Notably, in Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals, Chamberlain poured in a 50 points for the Philadelphia Warriors. While Wilt’s dominance and scoring ability remain unparalleled, and holds numerous scoring records, Wilt only has two NBA championships on his resume.
3. Allen Iverson (3)
With three playoff games in which he scored or surpassed 50 points, Allen Iverson is third on this list. Standing more than a foot shorter than the man before him, Iverson’s heart and effort were never questioned (well, save for that one time he was asked about practice) as A.I. led the Philadelphia 76ers squads of the early 2000’s to the top of the league. Though he never ended up with a championship ring, Iverson’s legacy is set as, pound for pound, one of best scorers the NBA has ever seen.
3. Donovan Mitchell (3)
In his playoff debut for the Utah Jazz, showcased his scoring prowess and ability to take over games. In the 2020 first-round series against the Denver Nuggets, Mitchell would explode for over 50 points twice in the series; 57 points in a Game 1 loss and then 51 points in a Game 4 win. These two games aren’t the only huge offensive performances in Donovan’s career, but are the only two that surpassed the fifty point mark.
# | NAME | GAMES |
---|---|---|
1 | Michael Jordan | 8 |
2 | Wilt Chamberlain | 4 |
3 | Allen Iverson | 3 |
4 | Donovan Mitchell | 3 |
4 | Jerry West | 2 |
8 | Damian Lillard | 2 |
4 | Jamal Murray | 2 |
4 | Jayson Tatum | 2 |
8 | Bob Cousy | 1 |
8 | Bob Petit | 1 |
8 | Charles Barkley | 1 |
8 | Sleepy Floyd | 1 |
8 | Dirk Nowitzki | 1 |
8 | Dominique Wilkins | 1 |
8 | Elgin Baylor | 1 |
8 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | 1 |
8 | Isaiah Thomas | 1 |
8 | Jimmy Butler | 1 |
8 | John Havlicek | 1 |
8 | Karl Malone | 1 |
8 | Kevin Durant | 1 |
8 | Kobe Bryant | 1 |
8 | LeBron James | 1 |
8 | Nikola Jokic | 1 |
8 | Ray Allen | 1 |
8 | Rick Barry | 1 |
8 | Russell Westbrook | 1 |
8 | Sam Jones | 1 |
8 | Steph Curry | 1 |
5. Jayson Tatum (2)
When Jayson Tatum scored 51 in Game 7 of the second round series between the Celtics and Sixers, he joined Jerry West and Jamal Murray for fifth place in terms of the most 50 point NBA playoff games of all-time (Damian Lillard would get his second 50 point game in 2024).
In that rout, Tatum’s scoring was an NBA record for a Game 7 surpassing Steph Curry’s who just set the record two weeks ago. Here’s a list of 50 point games in NBA playoff history.
# | NAME | PTS | DATE | TM | OPP |
1 | Michael Jordan | 63 | 04/20/1986 | CHI | BOS |
2 | Elgin Baylor | 61 | 04/14/1962 | LAL | BOS |
3 | Donovan Mitchell | 57 | 08/17/2020 | UTA | DEN |
4 | Wilt Chamberlain | 56 | 03/22/1962 | PHI | SYR |
4 | Michael Jordan | 56 | 04/29/1992 | CHI | MIA |
4 | Charles Barkley | 56 | 05/4/1994 | PHX | GSW |
4 | Jimmy Butler | 56 | 04/24/2023 | MIA | MIL |
8 | Rick Barry | 55 | 04/18/1967 | SFW | PHI |
8 | Michael Jordan | 55 | 05/1/1988 | CHI | CLE |
8 | Michael Jordan | 55 | 06/16/1993 | CHI | PHX |
8 | Michael Jordan | 55 | 04/27/1997 | CHI | WAS |
8 | Allen Iverson | 55 | 04/20/2003 | PHI | NOH |
8 | Damian Lillard | 55 | 06/1/2021 | POR | DEN |
14 | John Havlicek | 54 | 04/1/1973 | BOS | ATL |
14 | Michael Jordan | 54 | 05/31/1993 | CHI | NYK |
14 | Allen Iverson | 54 | 05/9/2001 | PHI | TOR |
17 | Wilt Chamberlain | 53 | 03/14/1960 | PHI | SYR |
17 | Jerry West | 53 | 04/23/1969 | LAL | BOS |
17 | Isaiah Thomas | 53 | 05/2/2017 | BOS | WAS |
17 | Nikola Jokic | 53 | 05/08/2023 | DEN | PHX |
20 | Jerry West | 52 | 04/5/1965 | LAL | BAL |
20 | Allen Iverson | 52 | 05/16/2001 | PHI | TOR |
22 | Sam Jones | 51 | 03/28/1967 | BOS | NYK |
22 | Ray Allen | 51 | 04/30/2009 | BOS | CHI |
22 | Russell Westbrook | 51 | 04/19/2017 | OKC | HOU |
22 | LeBron James | 51 | 05/31/2018 | CLE | GSW |
22 | Donovan Mitchell | 51 | 08/23/2020 | UTA | DEN |
22 | Jayson Tatum | 51 | 05/14/2023 | BOS | PHI |
28 | Bob Cousy | 50 | 03/21/1953 | BOS | SYR |
28 | Bob Petit | 50 | 04/12/1958 | STL | BOS |
28 | Wilt Chamberlain | 50 | 03/22/1960 | PHL | BOS |
28 | Wilt Chamberlain | 50 | 04/10/1964 | PHL | BOS |
28 | Dominique Wilkins | 50 | 04/19/1986 | ATL | DET |
28 | Michael Jordan | 50 | 04/28/1988 | CHI | CLE |
28 | Michael Jordan | 50 | 05/11/1990 | CHI | CLE |
28 | Karl Malone | 50 | 4/22/2000 | UTA | SEA |
28 | Dirk Nowitzki | 50 | 06/01/2006 | DAL | PHX |
28 | Kobe Bryant | 50 | 05/04/2006 | LAL | PHX |
28 | Kevin Durant | 50 | 04/19/2019 | GSW | LAC |
28 | Jamal Murray | 50 | 08/23/2020 | DEN | UTA |
28 | Jamal Murray | 50 | 08/30/2020 | DEN | UTA |
28 | Jayson Tatum | 50 | 05/28/21 | BOS | BKN |
28 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | 50 | 07/01/2021 | MIL | PHX |
28 | Steph Curry | 50 | 04/30/2023 | GSW | SAC |
Other notable 50 point playoff performances
Steph Curry’s 50-Point Showcase vs. Sacramento Kings (2023)
In the 2023 NBA playoffs, Steph Curry continued to captivate audiences with his long-range shooting and scoring prowess. Curry’s 6-seeded Warriors team would go onto upset the 3-seeded Sacramento Kings in Game 7 in which Curry would have his lone NBA playoff game that reached the half-century mark.
Stephen Curry is the 10th player in NBA history to record 50+ points in a series clinching victory, joining:
Wilt Chamberlain (twice)
Michael Jordan
Charles Barkley
Sam Jones
Bob Cousy
Bob Pettit
Damian Lillard
Kevin Durant
Giannis Antetokounmpo pic.twitter.com/T4fQF9nXzE— NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 1, 2023
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 50-Point Statement in the NBA Finals
Giannis etched his name in NBA playoff history during Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals. In a contest between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns, Giannis delivered an astonishing 50-point performance, securing a crucial victory that clinched the 2021 NBA championship. His dominant scoring, along with his defensive contributions, cemented Giannis’ status as a generational talent. Antetokounmpo famously went to drive thru the following day and ordered a 50 piece chicken nugget and posted it on TikTok.
Scoring 50 points in an NBA playoff game is something truly special. As you can see by the list above some of the league’s most legendary playoff performers never cracked the 50 point threshold in a playoff game: Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan. Dwyane Wade, Hakeem Olajuwon, and James Harden just to name a few players that never got to 50 points.
Even talented scorers like LeBron James, Steph Curry, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, Elgin Baylor, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Durant, and Rick Barry have only surpassed 50 points once in their storied NBA playoff careers. That makes it even more impressive that Jordan has recorded eight playoff games with at least 50 points – more than double the next player on the list.