53 years ago today, rookie Wilt Chamberlain became the third player to drop 50 points in an NBA Playoff game, leading his Philadelphia Warriors to a 132-112 victory over the Syracuse Nationals. He went on to dominate the NBA, including putting up ridiculous averages of 50.4 points and 25.7 rebounds in the 1961-62 season. It was a different game then, but an impressive feat nonetheless. It’s because of Chamberlain that we place such an emphasis on the 50-point game, and over the years, we’ve seen numerous 50-point playoff performances. Today, TOK is going to take you back to a dark time for Knicks fans, when Michael Jordan ruled the league.
Don’t be embarrassed Knicks fans, Jordan dropped 50-plus in the playoffs eight different times, including three times against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This wasn’t the first time the Knicks fell victim to a 50-point game in the playoffs either. Boston’s Sam Jones put up 51 on them during the 1967 Eastern Division Semifinals.
1993 was a popular year in terms of growth for the New York Knicks. That season they built some serious team chemistry and began their rivalry with a first round matchup against the Reggie Miller led Indiana Pacers. Once again though, Michael Jordan got the best of New York en route to the NBA Finals.
