Elgin Baylor was not just a basketball player; he redefined the sport with a series of standout performances that shaped its history. Known for his exceptional shooting skills, Baylor consistently delivered in critical moments. Here’s a spotlight on some of the most memorable games from his career.
Baylor’s 71-Point Game
On November 15, 1960, Baylor set a Lakers franchise record by scoring an astonishing 71 points against the New York Knicks, shooting 28-of-48 throws from the field. His dominance extended to the boards as he collected 25 rebounds, a performance that remained a franchise record for decades.
1962 NBA Finals Game 5
A defining moment came in Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals when Baylor scored 61 points against the Boston Celtics. He set a record that still stands as the highest-scoring output in Finals history. Baylor’s performance, which included 22 rebounds, led the Lakers to a 126-121 victory.
1959 Playoff Debut
Baylor led the Minneapolis Lakers to the NBA Finals after defeating the Detroit Pistons in the Western Division semifinals. Throughout the playoffs, he averaged 25.5 points. In the finals against the Boston Celtics, he scored 34 points and grabbed 11 rebounds despite the Lakers eventually losing the series.
1959 All-Star Game MVP
In the 1959 NBA All-Star Game, Baylor’s talent was on full display. He took home MVP honors with a performance that led the Western Conference to a 124-108 victory over the Eastern Conference and further increased his reputation as one of the league’s top players.
1960 Western Division Finals Game 2
During Game 2 of the 1960 Western Division Finals, Baylor delivered another beautiful performance. He scored 40 points against the St. Louis Hawks and shot 11-of-26 from the field and 18-of-23 from the free-throw line, which secured the Lakers a win.
1968 Playoff Game Against the Warriors
Shooting 15-of-28 from the field in a 1968 playoff game against the San Francisco Warriors, his performance gave the Lakers a well-deserved 2-0 lead ahead in the series. Baylor brought in 36 points in total and pulled down 19 rebounds in a hard-fought 115-112 victory.
1969 NBA Finals Game 2
His contributions to the 1969 NBA Finals were equally remarkable. He shot 11-of-27 from the field and 7-of-9 from the free-throw line brought his total to 32 points in that Game, and nearly steered the Lakers to victory over the Boston Celtics.
1958 Rookie Season Breakout Game
The 1958 season was Baylor’s rookie campaign, and he wasted no time making a point. In a breakout game against the Cincinnati Royals, Baylor scored 55 points, his highest total that year. Notably, he secured 12 rebounds while scoring 11-of-17 from the free-throw line during the match.
Game Against Pistons in 1961
Another stellar performance came in a 1961 game against the Detroit Pistons, where Baylor scored 57 points in a 129-106 victory. 23 of his 45 shots were from the field, while 11 of 14 came from the free-throw line, with a total number of 26 rebounds
Lakers’ Win Over Warriors in 1961
In December 1961, Baylor had another unforgettable game against the Warriors. During the game, he contributed seven assists, 31 rebounds, and 17 shots from the free-throw line. The Lakers won the Game 151-147, with Baylor alone scoring 63 points.
56-Point Against the Syracuse Nationals
Elgin Baylor put on a remarkable display against the Syracuse Nationals and led the Lakers to a 116-107 victory on January 24, 1961. In addition to his offensive output of securing 20 rebounds, he scored 56 points and demonstrated his playmaking skills with five assists
March 8, 1966 – Lakers vs. Knicks
In a tightly contested game on March 8, 1966, against the New York Knicks, Elgin Baylor delivered a remarkable performance, raking in 46 points. Despite his points, the Lakers fell short in a heart-breaking 133-132 loss. Baylor’s shooting was spot-on, with an impressive 14-of-16 hits from the free-throw line.
February 11, 1970 – Lakers vs. San Francisco Warriors
Scoring 43 points on 18-of-28 shooting from the field and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line, Baylor’s offensive brilliance was on full display as he led the Lakers to a 125-115 win over the San Francisco Warriors. However, his contributions didn’t end there, as he made two assists.
December 4, 1962 – Lakers vs. Knicks
When Baylor faced the New York Knicks on December 4, 1962, he scored 43 points in that Game alone. In addition to his scoring, he hauled in 15 rebounds, ultimately helping the Lakers maintain their lead on both ends of the floor.
December 23, 1964 – Lakers vs. 76ers
His performance against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 23, 1964, was another good performance that ended in a victory for the Lakers (135-117). Baylor collected 12 rebounds, gave a total of 8 assists, and made the net with 43 points, with 16 of his shots from the field.
15 Key Performances That Shaped Elgin Baylor’s NBA Career