How difficult is it to score 40 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists in the playoffs? Only 4 players in NBA history, 2 players on the list

In the NBA games, we have seen too many gorgeous data, such as Kobe's 100 points in a single game, Harden, Doncic, Jokic's 60+ triple-double, Westbrook's 20+20+20+20, etc. These players were all superstars in the league at their peak. However, these data basically come from the regular season, and in the more intense playoffs, the frequency of these top data is a visible decline in the naked eye. Let’s take Westbrook as an example. He has won 202 triple-doubles in the regular season, which is also the highest record in the NBA history, but he only has 12 triple-doubles in the playoffs, and this gap is undoubtedly very obvious, and for most stars, they are treated the same in the playoffs. In addition, there are only 4 players in NBA playoff history, including 40 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists in a single game, and only 4 players have won the NBA playoff history, of which 2 are on the list. So let’s take a look at who these players are!

4. Jokic (1 time)

Since winning the championship in 2023, the overall lineup strength of the Nuggets has been on the decline. Therefore, in order to lead the team to win, Jokic has to show a better form. This season, he averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 11.2 assists per game in the regular season. Therefore, he has become the third player in history to average triple-double per game in a single season, and his single game scored 60+ triple-double was also from a regular season game against the Timberwolves.

And in the playoffs, the Nuggets undoubtedly need Jokic to perform even more, but the lineup of the first round opponent Clippers is really suitable for defending Jokic, so he only scored 30+ in one of his seven games, but he also contributed 21 rebounds and 8 assists in that game. In the second round of the Thunder, most people were not optimistic about the Nuggets before the game. After all, the Thunder was a team that won 68 wins in the regular season, so many fans thought they were the only team in the West.

However, in the first game between the two teams, Jokic "telled a lesson" to the Thunder. Faced with Alexander, who is likely to be elected MVP this season, he became the fourth star in NBA history to score at least 40 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists in a single game in the playoffs. Jokic played in 42 minutes and scored 42 points, 22 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. In the end, the Nuggets also got a good start.

3. Antetokounmpo (1 time)

In addition to Jokic, the strongest inside monster in active service is undoubtedly Antetokounmpo, but the way of playing is obviously different. Antetokounmpo is better at breaking through with the ball frame, using his ability to attack the entire team to drive the offense, and he can also perform well on the rebounds. Therefore, in 57 of the 84 playoff games he has played in, he also scored double-double data in 57 of them.

Especially after reaching the peak, Antetokounmpo can score 30 points and 10 rebounds in a single game. In this year's playoff series, he averaged 33 points, 15.4 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. During this period, Antetokounmpo's best performance game was also a super large triple-double with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists, but even so, he still failed to help the team advance to the Eastern Conference semi-finals.

Antesco has scored luxurious data in the playoffs, and we have witnessed his greater personal performance as early as the 2022 playoffs. At that time, facing the Celtics, in three of his seven games, he scored at least 40+10 in three games. Among them, Antetokounmpo played in 41 minutes and scored 44 points, 20 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocks. Unfortunately, the team lost that game in the end, and G7 scored 25 points, 20 rebounds, 9 assists in a single game, and he still failed to help the team avoid being reversed.

2. O'Neal (1 time)

mentioned the inside behemoth, O'Neal, who had long retired, had a good interpretation of these four words during his peak period. Especially O'Neal in the early 21st century, when he not only had his personal data luxurious, but also had a strong influence on the game. Under his leadership, the Lakers have won NBA championships for three consecutive seasons, and until they are the only team that has won three consecutive championships in the 21st century.

At that time, O'Neal became stronger as the key game. He was the most unsolvable star in NBA history, so his average number in the finals was 30 points and 10 rebounds in those three years. Among them, against the Pacers in the 2000 Finals was O'Neal's best performance. In that round of the series, he averaged 38 points, 16.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1 steal and 2.7 blocks. Both offense and defense were troubles that the opponent could not solve.

However, the record of 40 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists in a single game did not come from the 2000 Finals, but was played against the 76ers G1 in the 2001 Finals. In this game, O'Neal played 44 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal in 52 minutes. Unfortunately, the team lost the game in the end. Fortunately, the Lakers team, who became serious, made a move, and the 76ers quickly fell down.

1. Chamberlain (2 times)

As the only player on this list who scored at least 40 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists in the playoffs twice, Chamberlain's dominance in data is one of the best in history, especially in the regular season, his performance is too exaggerated. His average of 50+20 games per season, 100 points per game, etc. are all records set by him, and these records will be difficult to break even after many years..

Although Chamberlain's record exclusively in the playoffs is not that many, his dominance can still be seen in some areas. Chamberlain's first scored 40 points, 20 rebounds and 5 assists in 1962. Among them, he played in G2 and scored 42 points, 37 rebounds and 5 assists in 48 minutes. This was also the best game he played in the playoffs that year. After that round of the series, Chamberlain performed the worst game with 30 points and 14 rebounds. Unfortunately, the team lost to the Celtics in the end.

Later, in the 1967 playoffs, Chamberlain replicated this god-level performance. That year, he played against the Royals in the first round of the playoffs. He scored 41 points, 22 rebounds and 5 assists again in 48 minutes. It is worth mentioning that Chamberlain had already started to transform on the court at this time, so his assists were much more than before. In the end, he scored 7 triple-doubles in the playoffs alone, and against the Royals, he even scored 37 points, 27 rebounds and 11 assists.