Steph Curry in Game 7 of the Warriors’ playoff series against the Sacramento Kings, scored a playoff career-high 50 points, setting a new record for the most points scored in a Game 7 in NBA history. He also became the first player in Warriors history to score 40-plus points in a Game 7.
Curry’s remarkable shooting ability was on full display, as he shot 20-of-38 from the field, including 7-of-18 from three-point range. His performance drew praise from his peers, with Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant, and Trae Young all lauding his incredible performance.
Here are the top 10 NBA single playoff game individual points scored, along with a brief description of the series and the player who scored the points:
1. Michael Jordan – 63 points – Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics (1986): In Game 2 of the first round of the 1986 playoffs, Jordan put on a legendary performance against one of the greatest teams in NBA history. Despite the loss, Jordan’s 63 points set a playoff record that still stands today.
2. Elgin Baylor – 61 points – Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics (1962): In Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals, Baylor put up 61 points to keep the Lakers alive in the series. However, Boston would go on to win the championship in seven games.
3. Wilt Chamberlain – 56 points – Philadelphia Warriors vs. Syracuse Nationals (1962): In Game 5 of the Eastern Division Finals, Chamberlain dominated with 56 points and 35 rebounds to help the Warriors advance to the NBA Finals.
4. Michael Jordan – 55 points – Chicago Bulls vs. Phoenix Suns (1993): In Game 4 of the 1993 NBA Finals, Jordan put up 55 points to lead the Bulls to a crucial victory. Chicago would go on to win the championship in six games.
5. Rick Barry – 55 points – Golden State Warriors vs. Philadelphia 76ers (1967): In Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Barry’s 55 points helped the Warriors take a 2-1 series lead. However, Philadelphia would win the championship in six games.
6. Michael Jordan – 54 points – Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (1993): In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Jordan’s 54 points helped the Bulls take a 2-0 series lead en route to their third straight championship.
7. Hakeem Olajuwon – 53 points – Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs (1995): In Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals, Olajuwon’s 53 points helped the Rockets take a 2-1 series lead. Houston would go on to win the championship in seven games.
8. Allen Iverson – 52 points – Philadelphia 76ers vs. Toronto Raptors (2001): In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Iverson’s 52 points helped the 76ers take a 3-2 series lead. Philadelphia would go on to win the series in seven games before losing to the Lakers in the NBA Finals.
9. Michael Jordan – 51 points – Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks (1992): In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Jordan’s 51 points helped the Bulls take a 2-0 series lead en route to their second straight championship.
10. Sleepy Floyd – 51 points – Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers (1987): In Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Floyd’s 51 points helped the Warriors avoid elimination and force a Game 5. However, the Lakers would go on to win the series in five games.