DeAndre Jordan, with the most recent entry on this list, grabbed 22 rebounds in Game 3 of the 2014 Western Conference First Round.
There have been seven instances in the Los Angeles Clippers’ 56-year history where one of their players has recorded at least 20 rebounds in a playoff game. Let’s dig into their record books further and highlight their top five leaders in rebounds for a single playoff game.
DeAndre Jordan, 22 rebounds (2014 Western Conference First Round, Game 3)
During his time with the Lob City-era Clippers, Jordan was a massive presence at both ends of the court. In Game 3 of their 2014 first round series versus the Golden State Warriors, the near seven-footer finished with 14 points (5-8 FG, 4-9 FT), a playoff career-high 22 rebounds, two assists and five blocks in 35 minutes. Jordan helped LA take a 2-1 lead with their 98-96 victory, and the Clips would go on to win the series in seven games to advance to the conference semifinals.
Bob McAdoo, 22 rebounds (1976 Eastern Conference First Round, Game 3)
As a member of the Buffalo Braves, McAdoo led his squad to a 124-123 overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers to claim the best-of-three series win. In 52 minutes of action, he tallied game-highs with 34 points (12-28 FG, 10-11 FT) and 22 rebounds while adding four assists. McAdoo recorded double-doubles in points and boards in all three outings versus the Sixers. However, Buffalo’s postseason run came to an end in the conference semifinals, where the Boston Celtics eliminated them in six games.
Bob McAdoo, 21 rebounds (1976 Eastern Conference First Round, Game 1)
Just three days before his performance in Game 3, McAdoo set the tone for the Braves with his 36-point, 21-rebound double-double across 47 minutes in the series opener. He added three assists in the 95-89 win and shot 14-for-26 from the field and 8-for-11 at the free throw line. Over the course of the first round, McAdoo averaged 30.3 points, 18.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 47.3 minutes per game and recorded game highs in boards in all three outings.
Bob McAdoo, 21 rebounds (1975 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 4)
About one year prior to his first two entries on the list, McAdoo played elite for the Braves in their 108-102 victory over the Washington Bullets in Game 4 of the East semis. The 2000 Hall of Fame inductee dropped 50 points on 20-for-32 shooting (10-14 FT) with 21 boards, one assists, two steals and two blocks in 45 minutes. The win evened the series at 2-2, but despite Buffalo forcing a Game 7 on the road, the Bullets fought their way to a dominant 115-96 win to advance to the conference finals.
Garfield Heard, 20 rebounds (1974 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 1)
A teammate of McAdoo during his time in Buffalo in the early 1970s, Heard posted a game-high 20 rebounds to go along with 15 points (6-15 FG, 3-4 FT) and three assists in 43 minutes. He hauled in nearly half of his team’s total boards (42) in the contest, but the Braves fell to the Celtics by a score of 107-97 in Game 1, and Boston would eventually win the series in six games. Heard led Buffalo in rebounding over the course of the round with 14.7 per game, and added 16.8 points (second) and 2.5 assists in 40.0 minutes.
