The Los Angeles Lakers have won 17 championships in their franchise history. They have seen plenty of impressive individual scoring performances along the way. Let’s highlight their top five all-time leaders for most points scored in a playoff game.
1. Elgin Baylor, 61 Points (1962 NBA Finals, Game 5)
Baylor spent his entire career with the Lakers, making 11 All-Star teams along the way. His best playoff scoring performance came in Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals against the Celtics. He scored 61 points, shooting 22-for-46 from the field and 17-for-19 from the free-throw line. He also hauled in 22 rebounds to lead the Lakers to a win. The Lakers eventually went on to lose the series in seven games. During that 1962 playoff run, Baylor averaged 38.6 points and 17.7 rebounds across 13 games.
2. Jerry West, 53 Points (1969 NBA Finals, Game 1)
West also played his entire career with the Lakers after they selected him with the second pick in the 1960 Draft. He went on to make the All-Star team in all 14 seasons of his career. In Game 1 of the 1969 NBA Finals, West had his best playoff scoring performance, putting up 53 points against the Celtics. He shot 21-for-41 from the field in the game and 11-for-13 from the free-throw line. The Lakers won the game, but eventually lost the series in seven games. Despite the Lakers not winning the title, West was named Finals MVP
3. Jerry West, 52 Points (1965 Western Division Finals)
The Lakers played the Baltimore Bullets in the 1965 Western Division Finals. In Game 2 of the series, West scored 52 points in a win for the Lakers. He shot 16-for-38 from the field and went 20-for-21 from the free-throw line. The Lakers went on to win the series in six games. Across 11 games during that Lakers playoff run, West averaged 40.6 points on 31.9 shot attempts per game.
4. Kobe Bryant, 50 Points (2006 Playoffs First Round, Game 6)
Bryant is another member of this list who played his entire career with the Lakers. He made 18 All-Star teams and won five championships. His best individual playoff scoring performance came in Game 6 of the 2006 Western Conference first round against the Suns. The game went into overtime, which contributed to Bryant scoring 50 points over 52 minutes. He shot 20-for-35 from the field, making five three-pointers along the way. Despite his heroics, the Lakers lost the game and went on to lose the series in seven games.
5. Elgin Baylor, Kobe Bryant, Jerry West, 49 points
Fifth place on this list is a three-way tie between Baylor, Bryant and West. Baylor scored 49 points in Game 2 of the 1961 Western Division Semifinals against the Pistons. Bryant scored 49 points in Game 2 of a first-round series against the Nuggets in 2008. West made his third appearance on this list by scoring 49 points in Game 1 of the 1965 Western Division Finals against the Bullets.
