Though it wasn’t enough to overcome the Denver Nuggets in Game 1, Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell etched his name in the history books with a 57-point outburst that ranks as the highest single-game playoff total in team history and the third-most in NBA postseason history.
Most points, single NBA playoff game
1. 63 — Michael Jordan, Chicago vs Boston, 1986
2. 61 — Elgin Baylor, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston, 1961
3. 57 — Donovan Mitchell, Utah vs. Denver, 2020
4. 56 — Three players (most recently: Charles Barkley vs. Golden State, 1994)
5. 55 — Five players (most recently: Allen Iverson vs. Charlotte, 2003)
Donovan Mitchell erupts for the 3rd most points in an #NBAPlayoffs game with 57 in Game 1!
(Michael Jordan – 63, Elgin Baylor – 61) pic.twitter.com/Q3h6N2slk1
— NBA (@NBA) August 17, 2020
Mitchell, who shot 19-for-33 from the floor and 13-for-13 from the line, shattered the previous team playoff record of 50, set by Karl Malone in 2000. In addition, Mitchell joins Jordan as the only players in NBA history 23 or younger to score 57 or more points in a playoff game.
Overcoming a slow start, Mitchell erupted for 38 points in the second half and overtime. His onslaught staked the Jazz to a late lead before Jamal Murray (36 points) and the Nuggets rallied to triumph in overtime.
