Dirk Nowitzki sits at the top for the Mavericks top five leaders in rebounds for a single playoff game.
The Dallas Mavericks have made 25 trips to the playoffs during the franchise’s history. Their lone championship came in 2011. Let’s dig into their record books and highlight their top five leaders in rebounds for a single playoff game.
Dirk Nowitzki, 21 Rebounds (2006 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 6)
Game 6 of the 2006 Western Conference Semifinals between the Mavericks and Spurs was a low-scoring affair. The two teams combined for just 175 points. Nowitzki finished with 21 rebounds, 19 of which came on the defensive glass. The Mavericks lost Game 6 but went on to take Game 7 and advance. Over 23 playoff games that season, Nowitzki averaged 27.0 points and 11.7 rebounds. The Mavericks lost to the Heat in the NBA Finals.
Tyson Chandler, 20 Rebounds (2011 Western Conference First Round, Game 5)
The 2011 Western Conference first round series between the Mavericks and Trail Blazers was tied 2-2 heading into Game 5. The Mavericks took the lead by winning Game 5 in Dallas. They held the Trail Blazers to 82 points, which contributed to Chandler recording 20 rebounds over 35 minutes. The Mavericks then won Game 6 to advance.
James Donaldson, 20 Rebounds (1986 Western Conference First Round, Game 3)
The Jazz pulled out a two-point win over the Mavericks in Game 3 of this series. Donaldson did his part in the loss, recording 17 points, 20 rebounds and three blocks over 46 minutes. He shot 5-for-7 from the field and made all seven of his free-throw attempts. The Mavericks then won Game 4 to advance to the next round.
Dirk Nowitzki, 20 Rebounds (2003 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 3)
Game 3 of the 2003 Western Conference Semifinals between the Mavericks and Kings went to double overtime. The Mavericks pulled out the victory with Nowitzki logging 58 minutes. In addition to his 20 rebounds, he scored 25 points on 9-for-21 shooting from the field. The Mavericks eventually won the series in seven games.
Roy Tarpley, 20 Rebounds (1988 Western Conference Finals, Game 1)
The Mavericks faced off against the Lakers in the 1988 Western Conference Finals. The Lakers took Game 1, holding the Mavericks to 98 points. Tarpley logged 36 minutes off the bench, producing 18 points, 20 rebounds and six assists.
Roy Tarpley, 20 Rebounds (1988 Western Conference Finals, Game 3)
The Lakers also won Game 2 before the Mavericks got on the board with a victory in Game 3. In that contest, Tarpley had 21 points, 20 rebounds, two steals and two blocks over 41 minutes off the bench. The Mavericks were able to force a Game 7 in the series, but the Lakers would go on to advance to the NBA Finals.
