Most Points Scored in an NBA Playoff Debut: Luka Doncic, De’Aaron Fox Lead List

• Luka Doncic set the record for the most points in a playoff debut in 2020
• John Williamson and De’Aaron Fox are tied for second, each scoring 38 points in their debuts
• George Mikan scored 37 points in his playoff debut in 1949

De’Aaron Fox waited six seasons for him to appear in the NBA Playoffs.

He didn’t disappoint in his first postseason outing, scoring 38 points in the Sacramento Kings’ 126-123 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Fox made history with Saturday’s performance, as that was one of the top-scoring playoff debuts of all-time in the NBA.

Sports Brief looks at the most points scored by an NBA player in a playoff debut.

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1. Luka Doncic (42 points)

Doncic dazzled in his playoff debut against the Los Angeles Clippers on August 17, 2020, scoring 42 points in the Dallas Mavericks’ 118-110 loss. He shot 13 of 21 from the field and made 14 of his 15 free throw attempts. Doncic became the first player to break the 40-point threshold in his postseason debut.

2. John Williamson (38 points)

Williamson scored 38 points in his NBA playoff debut against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 11, 1979. His offensive outburst went for naught, though, as the New Jersey Nets suffered a 122-114 defeat.

2. De’Aaron Fox (38 points) 

Fox joined Doncic and Williamson as the only players in NBA history to score at least 38 points in their playoff debut.

He did most of his damage in the second half, scoring 29 of his 38 points in the third and fourth quarters against the Warriors.

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Fox could have scored at least 40 in that Game 1 win, but he missed several free throws down the stretch.  

4. George Mikan (37 points)

The legendary center scored 37 points in his playoff debut on March 23, 1949, leading the Minneapolis Lakers to an 84-77 win over the Chicago Stags.

5. Anthony Edwards (36 points) 

Edwards made quite an impression in his first playoff game, scoring 36 points in the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 130-117 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their series opener on April 16, 2022, per NBC Sports.

He became the third-youngest player in NBA history to score at least 36 points in a playoff game.  

5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/Lew Alcindor (36 points)

Before he changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, he was known as Lew Alcindor. He wreaked havoc in his first playoff game against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring 36 points in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 125-118 win on March 25, 1970.

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He shot 13 of 25 from the field and made 10 of his 13 free throws against the Sixers.

5. Derrick Rose (36 points)

Rose put on a show in his playoff debut, scoring 36 points in the Chicago Bulls’ 105-103 overtime win over the Boston Celtics on April 18, 2009.

He shot 12 of 21 from the field and knocked down all 12 of his free throws in the victory.

5. Gary Brokaw (36 points)

Brokaw shot the lights out in his playoff debut, scoring 36 points in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 110-107 win over the Detroit Pistons on April 13, 1976.

5. Julius Irving (36 points) 

Dr. J delivered in his first NBA playoff game, scoring 36 points in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 113-111 loss to the Boston Celtics on April 17, 1977. He shot 12 of 25 from the floor and made 12 of his 16 free throws against the Celtics.

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Fox and Monk impress

Sports Brief recently reported on Fox's spectacular performance against Golden State.

He ignited the Kings' second-half comeback as they erased a 10-point deficit.

Malik Monk also contributed in the win, scoring 32 points for Sacramento.