On April 20, 1986, Michael Jordan set an NBA postseason record with 63 points vs. the Celtics.

In the NBA Playoffs, the spotlight and attention on each game and performance are that much more significant. As such, delivering an epic scoring performance can carry a bit more weight than doing so in the regular season.

Many of the players who mark the 20 greatest individual NBA playoff performances are already in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame or may well be there one day. That said, here’s a look at the 20 highest-scoring performances in the NBA Playoffs, five of which took place during the NBA Finals:

20 highest scoring NBA playoff performances

Player (Team)
Points
Date
FG-FGA
3PT-3PTA
FT-FTA
Result

Michael Jordan (Bulls)
63
April 20, 1986
22-41
0-0
19-21
Lost to Celtics

Elgin Baylor (Lakers)*
61
April 14, 1962
22-46
N/A
17-19
Lost to Celtics

Donovan Mitchell (Jazz)
57
Aug. 17, 2020
19-33
6-15
13-13
Lost to Nuggets

Jimmy Butler (Heat)
56
April 24, 2023
19-28
3-8
15-18
Win vs. Bucks 

Charles Barkley (Suns)
56
May 4, 1994
23-31
3-4
7-9
Win vs. Warriors

Michael Jordan (Bulls)
56 
April 29, 1992
20-30
0-0
16-18
Win vs. Heat

Wilt Chamberlain (Warriors)
56 
March 22, 1962
22-48
N/A
12-22
Win vs. Nationals

Damian Lillard (Blazers)
55 
June 1, 2021
17-24
12-17
9-10
Lost to Nuggets

Allen Iverson (76ers)
55
April 20, 2003
21-32
3-5
10-11
Win vs. Hornets

Michael Jordan (Bulls)
55
April 27, 1997
22-35
1-2
10-10
Win vs. Bullets

Michael Jordan (Bulls)*
55
June 16, 1993
21-37
0-1
13-18
Win vs. Suns 

Michael Jordan (Bulls)
55
May 1, 1988
24-45
0-0
7-7
Win vs. Cavs

Rick Barry (Warriors)*
55
April 18, 1967
22-48
N/A
11-19
Win vs. 76ers

Allen Iverson (76ers)
54
May 9, 2001
21-39
3-5
9-9
Win vs. Raptors

Michael Jordan (Bulls)
54
May 31, 1993
18-30
6-9
12-14
Win vs. Knicks

John Havlicek (Celtics)
54
April 1, 1973
24-36
N/A
6-6
Win vs. Hawks

Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
53
May 7, 2023
20-30
2-4
11-13
Lost to Suns

Isaiah Thomas (Celtics)
53 
May 2, 2017
18-33
5-12
12-13
Win vs. Wizards

Jerry West (Lakers)*
53
April 23, 1969
21-41
N/A
11-13
Win vs. Celtics

Wilt Chamberlain (Warriors)
53 
March 14, 1960
24-42
N/A
5-16
Win vs. Nationals

* = NBA Finals game
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