Top 10 NBA Finals performances of All-Time

4. Elgin Baylor scores 61 points in Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals

Elgin Baylor scores an NBA Finals record 61 points

Elgin Baylor is considered as one of the first players in NBA history to play above the rim. He is, by all account, the high-flying, super-athletic, aerial-assaulting wing predecessor to David Thompson, Connie Hawkins, Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, and many others. But his biggest legacy to this league came in Game 5 of the 1962 NBA Finals.

Playing against a vaunted Boston Celtics defence, Baylor had a performance for the ages ending the game with 61 points and 22 rebounds. Satch Sanders, who was the Celtics defensive specialist, was no match for the 6 foot 5 forward. He was a nightmare for the Celtics to guard one-on-one and double teams also didn't work as Baylor was such a great passer of the ball. His 61 point effort set an NBA Finals record which is yet to be toppled.

“Elgin was just a machine,” said Sanders after the game.

The Lakers went onto win the game 126-121 and take a 3-2 series lead. They finally lost the series in Game 7, courtesy of another epic Finals performance from the 11-time champion Bill Russell.

When asked about his historic night, Baylor said “All I remember is that we won the game. I never thought about how many points I had."