The 2025 NBA Playoffs are finally here. In each fixture, players are showcasing their talent in full swing. Their performances highlight how the boundaries of possibility on the court continue to expand. From legendary veterans to rising stars, the stage is set for more NBA playoff records to be shattered. Below is a look at some milestones that could fall this postseason.
NBA Playoff Records: Individual Milestones on the Horizon
1. Most Points Scored in a Single Playoff Game
The current record belongs to none other than Michael Jordan. The Chicago Bulls icon made history in 1986 by scoring 63 points against the Boston Celtics. Even after 39 years, this legendary performance still stands, setting a gold standard for generations. However, with modern stars like Luka Dončić and Stephen Curry in the mix, breaking this record is not out of reach.
2. Most Assists in a Single Playoff Game
This record is shared by two legends—Magic Johnson and John Stockton—each with 24 assists in a playoff game. Stockton set the benchmark in 1988 for the Utah Jazz against the Los Angeles Lakers. The following year, Magic Johnson matched the feat against the Denver Nuggets. Today, the high-tempo nature of the game and the emphasis on ball movement make this record vulnerable. Talented playmakers like Tyrese Haliburton and Trae Young could be the next to reach this milestone.
3. Most Rebounds in a Single Playoff Game
Wilt Chamberlain holds this long-standing record, having grabbed 41 rebounds for the Philadelphia 76ers against the Boston Celtics in 1967. His dominant performance helped secure a 115–104 victory. Although modern basketball favors perimeter play, elite rebounders like Rudy Gobert and Nikola Jokić have the potential to challenge this historic achievement.
4. Most Three-Pointers Made in a Single Playoff Game
This record is more contemporary than the aforementioned ones. On June 1, 2021, Damian Lillard made 12 three-pointers for the Portland Trail Blazers against the Denver Nuggets. As the NBA continues to emphasize long-range shooting, sharpshooters like Buddy Hield and Klay Thompson remain strong contenders to break this mark. Notably, Hield showed his chances in April 2025 by making 9 threes in a Game 7 for the Golden State Warriors against the Houston Rockets.
NBA Playoff Records: Team Records Within Reach
5. Most Three-Pointers by a Team in a Playoff Game
This record is currently shared by the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Milwaukee Bucks, each with 25 threes in a game. However, with 2025 playoff matchups leaning heavily toward high-scoring affairs, a new team could soon claim this record. The Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors—both known for their perimeter firepower—are top candidates.
6. Most Assists by a Team in a Playoff Game
The San Antonio Spurs set this record in 1983, tallying 51 assists during Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Denver Nuggets. Teams like the current Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings, who focus on ball movement and team synergy, could surpass this mark if their offense fires on all cylinders.
7. Undefeated Playoff Run
In 79 years of NBA history, no team has ever gone undefeated throughout the playoffs. While this feat remains elusive due to the league’s fierce competition, a lot would find it achievable. This season, the Oklahoma City Thunder could seek inspiration from the 2003–04 Arsenal squad, who went an entire English Premier League season unbeaten, under the management of Arsene Wenger.
As the 2025 NBA Playoffs continue to unfold, fans and critics alike are eager to witness history in the making. Whether it’s individual brilliance or collective dominance, the postseason offers another opportunity of rewriting the history books. After all, records are meant to be broken.
Enthusiast of sports, entertainment, and everything that ties them together
