Most rebounds in an NBA Playoff game: What is the record?

With Nikola Jokic grabbing almost every board Game 1 of the West Finals in the 2023 postseason, what is the record for most rebounds in an NBA Playoff game?

During Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals in the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Nikola Jokic was the embodiment of the Windex man the way he was cleaning the glass against the Lakers.

In the first half alone, the two-time NBA MVP grabbed 16 boards, which would be a total that most players would love to grab in a single game, much less just half of one.

With that dominance happening, though, basketball fans started wondering about the record for the most rebounds in an NBA Playoff game.

Most rebounds in an NBA Playoff game?

The record for the most rebounds in an NBA Playoff game is held by the ineffable Wilt Chamberlain with an incredible 41 rebounds. The big man accomplished the feat  in Game 3 of the 1967 Division Finals as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers against Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics. Coincidentally, Russell is tied with himself three times for second place in the record books in this regard with three separate playoff games in which he had 40 rebounds.

Perhaps the weirdest part of Chamberlain’s big night was that he only scored 20 points, a shockingly low total for one of the most dominant statistical players in the history of the NBA.

Record for most rebounds in an NBA game?

Not surprisingly, Chamberlain also holds the record for the most rebounds in a game as he grabbed an unbelievable 55 rebounds on Nov. 24, 1960 as a member of the Philadelphia Warriors, once again against the Boston Celtics. Once again, Bill Russell is also second, third and fourth on this list with a game of 51 rebounds and two with 49-rebound games to his credit.