In every NBA season, when it is time for the finals, fans get super excited because it is always exciting and dramatic. For the players, it is thrilling and difficult at the same time because playing a finale also puts a little pressure on them. We see most of the legendary and stellar performances from players come in the regular season and it is rare to see an extraordinary performance in the finals. But there have been some players who gave their best when it mattered the most. Let’s have a look at 10 best players who scored the most points in an NBA Finals game.
10. Michael Jordan – 45 Points
In the 1995 NBA Finals, the Chicago Bulls defeated the Portland Trail Blazers by 119-106. Michael Jordan scored 46 points in Game 5. His 14 out of 23 shots were made from the field, which included 2 three-pointers. Additionally, Jordan grabbed five rebounds, four assists and one block. It was not the first time MJ gave an important and amazing performance for his team and haunting his opponents.
9. Stephen Curry – 47 Points
In the 2019 NBA Finals, Stephen Curry stepped up and scored 47 points in Game 3, which included six three-pointers. Curry hit 14 of 31 shots from the field and made 13 out of 14 free throws successful. He also had eight rebounds and two steals. However, despite this fantastic performance, the Golden State Warriors lost the game to the Toronto Raptors 123-109. Five Raptors players scored more than 17 points. Also, Kevin Durant missed the game due to an injury, which made things for Curry difficult.
8. Allen Iverson – 48 Points
Allen Iverson gave a ruthless performance in his first appearance in the finals. He scored 48 points in Game 1 against the Lakers in the 2001 NBA Finals. He also had six assists, five rebounds and five steals. The Philadelphia 76ers won the game in overtime by 107-101. However, the Lakers went on to win the next four games to win the championship in impressive fashion. That Game 1 was the only game lost by the LA Lakers during that entire playoff run.
7. Bob Pettit – 50 Points
Bob Pettit played in Game 6 of the 1958 NBA Finals. He was an underrated player, but proved in that match why he was among the best players of his generation before the league expanded. Pettit scored 50 points in the game and grabbed 19 rebounds to lead the St. Louis Hawks to a 110-109 victory over the Boston Celtics to win the NBA title. This incredible showdown gave the Hawks the title, which makes it more special.
6. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 50 Points
In the 2021 NBA Finals, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 50 points in Game 6. His tremendous performance led the Milwaukee Bucks to a 105-98 title win over the Phoenix Suns. Giannis’ 50 points included 14 rebounds and five blocks. This final will always be special and historic for Milwaukee Bucks fans because the franchise won an NBA championship after almost 50 years.
5. LeBron James – 51 Points
LeBron James is one of the greatest players in NBA history and has always delivered when his team needed him. In Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals, James scored 51 points, which included eight rebounds, eight assists, one steal and one block. Despite his big effort, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors by 124–114.
4. Jerry West – 53 Points
Jerry West has always proved to be the best player in big moments and always stood up when needed, this was the reason he was nicknamed Mr. Clutch. He averaged 29.1 points per game in the playoffs and 30.5 points per game in the Finals. During the 1969 NBA Finals, West scored 53 points in Game 1 against the Boston Celtics. Sadly, his effort was not enough to lead the Lakers to victory.
3. Rick Barry – 55 Points
During the 1967 NBA Finals, Rick Barry scored 55 points in Game 3 to lead San Francisco to a 130-124 championship victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. He also grabbed 12 rebounds and 5 assists in that Final. This was the Warriors’ first win after losing the first two games. Barry’s remarkable performance defined his legacy. It was arguably the best game of his illustrious career.
2. Michael Jordan – 55 Points
In the 1993 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan again proved why he was the best in the league. He scored 55 points in Game 4 and led the Chicago Bulls to a 111-105 victory over the Phoenix Suns. He grabbed eight rebounds and four assists. It was a performance that Chicago fans will always remember. The Bulls won a little and MJ was named Finals MVP, making his legendary career more remarkable.
1. Elgin Baylor – 61 Points
The player who scored the most points in a single NBA Finals game is Elgin Baylor. He scored 61 points in Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. He also grabbed 22 rebounds in that game. The Los Angeles Lakers won that game 126-121 to take a 3-2 lead, but the Celtics clinched the title after seven games.
Also Read: 10 Single Game NBA Records That Are Impossible To Break
