Rebounds are one of the most important statistics in basketball and are a crucial measure of a player’s ability to control and dominate the boards. But who holds the record for the most rebounds in a single game?
The Record Holder: Wilt Chamberlain
The record for most rebounds in a single game is held by NBA Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlain. On November 24, 1960, Chamberlain grabbed an astonishing 55 rebounds in a single game against the Boston Celtics, setting an NBA record that has yet to be broken.
Chamberlain’s Record-Breaking Performance
Chamberlain’s record-breaking performance occurred during a game between the Philadelphia Warriors and the Boston Celtics. Chamberlain had an impressive double-double of 34 points and 55 rebounds, helping the Warriors to a 118-109 victory.
The 55 rebounds Chamberlain grabbed that night were not only a single-game record but also a single-season record. He finished the 1960-61 season with 2,052 rebounds, smashing his own record of 1,941 that he set the previous season.
Chamberlain’s Career
Chamberlain was one of the greatest players in NBA history and was a dominant force in the league from 1958 to 1973. During his career, Chamberlain was selected to 13 All-Star teams and was named MVP seven times. He also won two NBA championships and four MVP awards.
Chamberlain’s career averages of 30.1 points and 22.9 rebounds per game are still the highest of any player in NBA history. He also holds the record for most points scored in a single game with 100, set in 1962 against the New York Knicks.
The Other Highest Rebounders
While Chamberlain holds the record for most rebounds in a single game, there are several other players who have had impressive rebounding performances.
The second-highest single-game rebound total belongs to Moses Malone, who grabbed 51 rebounds in a game against the Detroit Pistons in 1978. Another legendary rebounder, Bill Russell, grabbed 49 rebounds in a single game against the Syracuse Nationals in 1960.
More recently, Dwight Howard set the single-game rebound record for the Orlando Magic with 29 rebounds against the New York Knicks in 2007. Other notable rebounders include Charles Barkley, who had 28 rebounds in a game against the Golden State Warriors in 1989, and Shaquille O’Neal, who grabbed 26 rebounds against the Phoenix Suns in 2003.
Conclusion
When it comes to rebounding, Wilt Chamberlain is the undisputed king. His record of 55 rebounds in a single game is a remarkable feat that has yet to be broken. While there have been several other players who have had impressive rebounding performances, none have come close to Chamberlain’s record.