Donovan Mitchell scored the most points in Utah Jazz playoff history.
The Utah Jazz have made 31 trips to the playoffs during the franchise’s history. While they have yet to win a championship, they have seen a bevy of impressive scoring performances during the playoffs.
Let’s highlight their top-five leaders in points scored for a single playoff game.
Donovan Mitchell, 57 Points (2020 Western Conference First Round, Game 1)
The Jazz faced the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs in 2020. Game 1 went to overtime, with the Nuggets pulling out the victory. Mitchell was excellent in a losing effort, scoring 57 points over 43 minutes. He shot 19-for-33 from the field and made all 13 of his free-throw attempts. No other member of the Jazz scored more than 19 points.
Donovan Mitchell, 51 Points (2020 Western Conference First Round, Game 4)
After losing Game 1, the Jazz won the next two games. They also earned the victory in Game 4, with Mitchell contributing 51 points. He played 38 minutes, shooting 15-for-27 from the field and 17-for-18 from the free-throw line. Also stepping up in the game were Mike Conley Jr. and Jordan Clarkson, who combined to score 50 points. The Jazz would eventually lose the series in seven games.
Karl Malone, 50 Points (2000 Western Conference First Round, Game 1)
The Jazz won Game 1 of their series against the SuperSonics, 104-93. Malone logged 43 minutes, finishing with 50 points and 12 rebounds. He shot 18-for-32 from the field and was 13-for-14 from the free-throw line. No other member of the Jazz scored more than 13 points in the game. The Jazz would eventually win the series in five games. They were then eliminated in the next round by the Portland Trail Blazers. During the Jazz’s 10-game playoff run, Malone averaged 27.2 points and shot 52.0% from the field.
Adrian Dantley, 46 Points (1984 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 5)
Heading into Game 5, the Jazz were facing elimination by the Phoenix Suns. Dantley helped them stay alive, scoring 46 over 41 minutes. He shot 16-for-27 from the field and made all 14 of his free throws. The Suns then won Game 6, knocking the Jazz out of the playoffs. During the Jazz’s 11-game playoff run that season, Dantley averaged 32.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists.
Donovan Mitchell, 45 Points (2021 Western Conference Semifinals, Game 1)
The Jazz faced the LA Clippers in this series and took Game 1 with a narrow three-point victory. Mitchell put the team on his back, scoring 45 points over 37 minutes. He shot 16-for-30 from the field and went 7-for-8 from the charity stripe. No one else on the Jazz scored more than 18 points in the game. The Jazz also took Game 2 before losing the series in six games. Over their 10 playoff games that season, Mitchell averaged 32.3 points and 5.0 three-pointers.
