The NBA playoffs is the most exciting time of the year for basketball fans. The best players in the world compete against each other in a quest for the championship. Scoring 30 points in a playoff game is a significant achievement and a testament to a player's skill and ability to perform under pressure.
1. Michael Jordan - 109
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time. He holds the record for the most 30 point games in the playoffs with 109. Jordan's ability to take over games and score at will is legendary. He won six championships with the Chicago Bulls and was the Finals MVP in all six of those series.
2. Kobe Bryant - 88
Kobe Bryant was a five-time NBA champion and one of the most skilled scorers in the history of the game. He ranks second all-time with 88 30 point games in the playoffs. Bryant was known for his incredible work ethic and his ability to hit clutch shots in big moments.
3. LeBron James - 74
LeBron James is one of the most dominant players in the history of the game. He has won four championships and has been to the NBA Finals ten times. James ranks third all-time with 74 30 point games in the playoffs. His ability to score from anywhere on the court and his physical dominance make him a nightmare for opposing teams.
4. Jerry West - 63
Jerry West is one of the greatest players in NBA history. He played his entire career with the Los Angeles Lakers and won a championship in 1972. West ranks fourth all-time with 63 30 point games in the playoffs. He was known for his incredible shooting ability and his clutch performances in big moments.
5. Shaquille O'Neal - 59
Shaquille O'Neal was one of the most dominant players in the history of the game. He won four championships and was the Finals MVP in each of those series. O'Neal ranks fifth all-time with 59 30 point games in the playoffs. His combination of size, strength, and skill made him nearly unstoppable in his prime.
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - 58
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the all-time leading scorer in NBA history. He won six championships and was a 19-time All-Star. Abdul-Jabbar ranks sixth all-time with 58 30 point games in the playoffs. His signature skyhook shot was nearly impossible to defend and he was a dominant force in the post.
7. Wilt Chamberlain - 56
Wilt Chamberlain was one of the most dominant players in the history of the game. He once scored 100 points in a single game and averaged 50 points per game for an entire season. Chamberlain ranks seventh all-time with 56 30 point games in the playoffs. His size and athleticism made him nearly unstoppable in his prime.
8. Kevin Durant - 48
Kevin Durant is one of the most skilled scorers in the history of the game. He has won two championships and has been the Finals MVP both times. Durant ranks eighth all-time with 48 30 point games in the playoffs. His ability to score from anywhere on the court and his length make him a matchup nightmare for opposing teams.
9. Hakeem Olajuwon - 47
Hakeem Olajuwon was one of the most skilled big men in the history of the game. He won two championships with the Houston Rockets and was the Finals MVP both times. Olajuwon ranks ninth all-time with 47 30 point games in the playoffs. His combination of size, skill, and footwork made him a dominant force in the post.
10. Dirk Nowitzki - 45
Dirk Nowitzki was one of the most unique players in the history of the game. He was a seven-foot tall forward who could shoot from anywhere on the court. Nowitzki won a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 and was the Finals MVP. He ranks tenth all-time with 45 30 point games in the playoffs.
11. Allen Iverson - 43
Allen Iverson was one of the most electrifying players in the history of the game. He won an MVP award and led the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001. Iverson ranks eleventh all-time with 43 30 point games in the playoffs. His speed and quickness made him nearly impossible to stop.
12. Karl Malone - 43
Karl Malone was one of the most consistent and dominant players in the history of the game. He won two MVP awards and led the Utah Jazz to the NBA Finals twice. Malone ranks twelfth all-time with 43 30 point games in the playoffs. His strength and post moves made him a nightmare for opposing defenders.
13. Shaquille O'Neal - 41
Shaquille O'Neal was a dominant force in the early 2000s. He won three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and was the Finals MVP in all three of those series. O'Neal ranks thirteenth all-time with 41 30 point games in the playoffs. His combination of size and skill made him nearly unstoppable in his prime.
14. Larry Bird - 40
Larry Bird was one of the most skilled and competitive players in the history of the game. He won three championships with the Boston Celtics and was a three-time MVP. Bird ranks fourteenth all-time with 40 30 point games in the playoffs. His shooting ability and basketball IQ made him a nightmare for opposing teams.
15. Dwyane Wade - 40
Dwyane Wade was one of the most explosive and clutch players in the history of the game. He won three championships with the Miami Heat and was the Finals MVP in 2006. Wade ranks fifteenth all-time with 40 30 point games in the playoffs. His ability to get to the basket and finish through contact made him nearly unstoppable in his prime.
16. Charles Barkley - 38
Charles Barkley was one of the most dominant and outspoken players in the history of the game. He won an MVP award and led the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals in 1993. Barkley ranks sixteenth all-time with 38 30 point games in the playoffs. His combination of size and skill made him a matchup nightmare for opposing teams.
17. Magic Johnson - 36
Magic Johnson was one of the most versatile and dominant players in the history of the game. He won five championships with the Los Angeles Lakers and was a three-time MVP. Johnson ranks seventeenth all-time with 36 30 point games in the playoffs. His ability to play multiple positions and his court vision made him a unique and deadly weapon.
18. Paul Pierce - 34
Paul Pierce was one of the most clutch players in the history of the game. He won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008 and was the Finals MVP. Pierce ranks eighteenth all-time with 34 30 point games in the playoffs. His ability to hit big shots in big moments made him a fan favorite.
19. Tracy McGrady - 33
Tracy McGrady was one of the most talented and explosive players in the history of the game. He was a seven-time All-Star and won two scoring titles. McGrady ranks nineteenth all-time with 33 30 point games in the playoffs. His ability to score from anywhere on the court and his athleticism made him a highlight reel.
20. James Harden - 33
James Harden is one of the most skilled and prolific scorers in the game today. He has won an MVP award and has led the league in scoring multiple times. Harden ranks twentieth all-time with 33 30 point games in the playoffs. His ability to draw fouls and get to the free-throw line makes him a difficult player to defend.
Conclusion
Scoring 30 points in a playoff game is a significant achievement and a testament to a player's skill and ability to perform under pressure. The players on this list are some of the greatest to ever play the game and their ability to dominate in the playoffs is a big reason why they are remembered as legends. As the NBA playoffs continue to evolve, we can only imagine how many more players will join this list in the years to come.