NBA Playoff Records: Are Current Stars Ready to Break Jordan and LeBron's Scoring Milestones?
Examining whether modern players can surpass the iconic playoff scoring records set by Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
The NBA’s all-time leading scorer and the most effective scorer in the postseason both maintain playoff records that look tough to surpass.
But it may not be entirely out of reach.
In 1993, Michael Jordan had an unforgettable Game 4 in the conference finals against the New York Knicks, scoring 54 points in a 105-95 victory for the Chicago Bulls. A record for single-game scoring in conference finals that still holds today.
Fast-forward to 2012, former Miami Heat player LeBron James scored a total of 235 points during a seven-game conference finals against the Boston Celtics, matching that feat again in 2018 with 235 points in another series as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers against Orlando. This record remains intact, too.
So, could this year’s playoffs witness an NBA star breaking these longstanding records? Let’s examine the odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 19.
Odds of Any Player Breaking Jordan’s Single-Game Conference Finals Record (55+ Points)
Yes: +2000 (wager $10 to win a total of $210)
Odds of Any Player Breaking LeBron’s Conference Finals Series Record (236+ Points)
Yes: +1500 (wager $10 to win a total of $160)
Regarding playoff points per game averages, Jordan leads with 33.5 points. He owns the record for most points in a playoff game with 63 as well.
On the other hand, LeBron averages 28.4 playoff points per game (sixth all-time) and holds the record for total postseason points at 8,289. In comparison, Jordan falls second in postseason scoring at 5,987 points.
Still competing in this year’s playoffs are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has often been compared to Jordan, Anthony Edwards, and the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year, Jalen Brunson.
During the 2024-25 regular season, SGA achieved game scores of 54, 52, 51, and 50, with a peak of 38 during the playoffs (Game 4 against MEM). Edwards scored 53 and 49 in regular-season games and hit a high of 43 in the playoffs. Brunson recorded a 55-point game earlier in the season and scored 40 in Game 6 against Detroit in the first round.
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