What are the most points scored in a half in the NBA playoffs? Taking a closer look at the historic stats

Michael Jordan holds the record for most points in a game in the NBA playoffs. Jordan scored 63 points against the Boston Celtics in the first round in 1986. But who has the postseason record for most points in a half?

According to Basketball Reference, the record for the most points in a half is 39 set by Eric "Sleepy" Floyd in 1987. He also holds the most points in a quarter with 29, achieving the feat in the fourth quarter against the LA Lakers. The Golden State Warriors star scored 39 points in the second half and a total of 51 in the game.

Floyd's performance didn't go for naught as the Warriors defeated the Lakers 129-121. The win avoided a sweep in the Western Conference semifinals, but the Lakers would be victorious in Game 5 to eliminate Golden State.

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Who scored the most points in the first half of an NBA playoff game?

Kevin Durant playing for the Golden State Warriors

If Eric "Sleepy" Floyd holds the postseason record for most points in a half, second half and a quarter, who owns the record for most points in the first half? Well, there are two players who have scored 38 points in the first half — Charles Barkley and Kevin Durant.

Barkley exploded for 56 points -- 38 in the first half -- in the Phoenix Suns' Game 3 win over the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the 1994 NBA playoffs. The Suns swept the Warriors to advance to the Western Conference semifinals.

Durant almost broke the postseason points record in a half in the first round of the 2019 NBA playoffs against the LA Clippers. The former MVP scored 38 points in the first half, torching Patrick Beverley and the Clippers in Game 6. He finished with 50 points, six rebounds and five assists.

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Who scored the most points in overtime in the NBA playoffs?

Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors

Overtime periods are rare in the NBA playoffs, but they have happened. So who has the record for most points in overtime in the postseason?

It's Steph Curry, who scored 17 points in overtime in Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Portland Trail Blazers six years ago. Curry finished with 40 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to give the Warriors a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Curry's 17 points are also the most points scored in any overtime period in NBA history. He broke the record held by Gilbert Arenas, who scored 16 points in a regular-season game back in 2006.