From Bradley Beal to Damian Lillard, Three Players Who Can Top This Incredible Playoff Record Set by Michael Jordan

The NBA playoffs are certainly the place to see some of the best basketball the league has to offer. Be it LeBron James or Michael Jordan, often the best players step up on the biggest occasions.

MJ’s massive playoff experience in the NBA guarantees that he has multiple records. Be it his insane points per game average of 33.4 points per game or his incredible record of winning six Finals MVP, MJ was made for the playoffs.

But one of his most memorable records was set back in 1986 when he broke Elgin Baylor’s record of most points in a playoff game. Going up against Larry Bird and the Celtics, Jordan put up 63 points in a losing effort. To this date Jordan‘s record stays intact and is often considered unbreakable.

But with the game changing towards an offense first approach and the use of threes becoming more prominent, this record might be subject to change. We take a look at three players who could topple MJ’s 63-point record.

3. Donovan Mitchell

Last year in the bubble the NBA world witnessed an amazing back-and-forth display between the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets. Two players were at it in the series, Nuggets’ Jamal Murray and Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell.

In one such game ‘Spida Mitchell’ dropped an insane 57 point performance against the Nuggets. This insane scoring display made him the only active player crossing the 55 point mark in the playoffs.

It is staggering to see Mitchell put up multiple 50 point performances in playoffs at such a young age. If the 2-time All-Star maintains his incredible playoff form, he might break this Jordan record sooner than later.

2. Bradley Beal

Wizards guard Bradley Beal is arguably one of the best scorers in the league. Be it his incredible perimeter shooting or his underappreciated mid range game, Beal is a scoring machine.

After struggling to make it to the playoffs for the last two years, Beal, along with Russell Westbrook, finally got across the hump as the Wizards made it to the playoffs for the first time in three seasons.

Going up against a juggernaut in Philly, both Westbrook and Beal were crucial for the Wizards to put in a fight. But recently Westbrook suffered from an ankle sprain meaning Beal might have to take all the offensive load for the team now.

The 27-year-old has already shown the league that he can be a one man wreaking ball. With Westbrook out, Beal will take up the Wizards offense on his shoulders. Considering how he has put up multiple 50 point bombs in the past, expect some big performances from Beal who might be one of the prime candidates to break MJ’S 63 point performance.

1. Damian Lillard

Blazers’ superstar Damian Lillard is arguably one of the top 5 guards in the NBA. What makes Dame Dolla unique is his incredible range in the basketball court. The 31-year-old has normalized pulling up for a shot from 30 feet and is a massive threat as soon as he enters the half court.

There is no denying the incredible range and the scoring ability Lillard has shown in the last three years. The Blazers’ guard has shown that he can perform in the biggest stage of them all and already has a playoff high of 50 points to his name.

In the two games he has played in this season’s playoffs, Lillard has already put up a 42-point bomb against the Nuggets. In this game, Lillard had shot 8 threes and scored a whopping 32 points in the first half itself. If the 6-time All-Star can carry on this incredible form, we might see Lillard closing in on MJ’s record and possibly break it.

Do you think the likes of Lillard, Mitchell or Beal can surpass the 63 point performance by Michael Jordan? Let us know in the comments section down below.