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Deandre Ayton made history in Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference Finals between the Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers in the 2021 NBA playoffs. He claimed 22 rebounds on the night to become the sixth active player to achieve the feat in an NBA playoffs game.
His performance was a testament to the fact that rebounding is pivotal in the crucial moments of matches. It gives the team a chance to exercise more control over the game due to extra possession and offers a great opportunity to score on second-chance points.
The importance of having great rebounders on your team is amplified during the NBA playoffs, considering the intensity and physicality that teams play with on the biggest stage.
On that note, we list five active players who have grabbed the most rebounds in an NBA playoffs game.
#1 Dwight Howard - 26 Rebounds (2015 NBA Playoffs)
3-time Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard being at the top of this list wouldn't come as a surprise to many. Howard has always made his presence felt in the paint, be it on the offensive end or defensive end. He has led the league in rebounding five times in his career so far.
Howard played for the Houston Rockets in the 2015 NBA playoffs and was key in helping them reach the Conference Finals that year. In Round 1 of their postseason campaign, the former LA Lakers big man played one of his best defensive games.
He claimed 26 of the 46 team rebounds and had two blocks and steals each in Game 3. Howard's incredible performance helped the Rockets defeat the Dallas Mavericks 130-128 and take a 3-0 series lead.
#2 Bismack Biyombo - 26 rebounds (2016 NBA Playoffs)
Bismack Biyombo matched Dwight Howard's record during the very next NBA playoffs campaign. He grabbed 26 rebounds for the Toronto Raptors against the eventual champion Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Conference Finals between the sides.
It was an intense defensive battle between the teams, with Biyombo stepping up big-time. He also made four blocks on the night as the Raptors claimed an important win to avoid going down 0-3. It gave themselves a fighting chance to win the series. However, they fell short in the end.
#3 Dwight Howard - 24 rebounds (2009 NBA playoffs)
Dwight Howard in 2009 was an absolute beast. He led the league in rebounds that year and also won his first DPOY award. During the postseason, he claimed 24 rebounds in an all-important Game 5 win against the Philadelphia 76ers in the first-round series playing for the Orlando Magic.
Howard also had 24 points and two blocks to his name, which helped the Magic win the game 91-78.
#4 Giannis Antetokounmpo - 23 rebounds (2019 NBA playoffs)
Giannis Antetokounmpo's athleticism, length and vertical reach are a few of the biggest traits that help him dominate opposition bigs in the paint. It comes as no surprise that he is the only forward on this list filled with traditional centers. Giannis recorded 23 rebounds against the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 NBA playoffs.
He did not have the best of games offensively, scoring just 12 points, but he made sure he was there to help his team on defense. The Greek Freak made four blocks and a steal on the night. The Bucks lost the tie 112-118, however, and eventually the series as well.
#5 Deandre Ayton - 22 rebounds (2021 NBA playoffs)
Deandre Ayton tied the likes of DeAndre Jordan, Nikola Jokic and Dwight Howard when he claimed 22 boards against the LA Clippers in the ongoing Western Conference Finals. Both teams were tremendous defensively, but Ayton made sure the Suns were the better team on the night.
Along with the 22 rebounds, Ayton also scored 19 points and made four blocks on the night to lead his team to a 84-80 win and a dominating 3-1 series lead.
