Top 10 most rebounds in NBA history single game: A deep dive into rebounding legends

A rebound occurs when a player regains possession of the ball after it hits the rim or backboard following a missed field goal or free throw. There are two types of rebounds: offensive and defensive, and each type determines the next phase of play. Throughout NBA history, many players have recorded outstanding rebounding performances, and basketscores.com lists the players with the highest single-game rebound totals.

Most rebounds in a single NBA game

Note that in this list, each player appears only once, based on their highest rebound total in a single game.

Jusuf Nurkić - 31 rebounds (2024)

This performance came in a game between the Phoenix Suns and the Oklahoma City Thunder in March 2024. Nurkić broke the Phoenix Suns’ franchise record for most rebounds in a single game, previously held by Tyson Chandler and Paul Silas with 27. This was also the highest number of rebounds recorded in an NBA game since 2010. Notably, Nurkić became the first player in NBA history to record at least 30 rebounds in under 35 minutes of playing time.

Kevin Love - 31 rebounds (2010)

This occurred in a game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks in November 2010. In that game, Kevin Love recorded 31 points and 31 rebounds, helping the Timberwolves complete a comeback victory of 112–103 after trailing by 21 points. His 31 rebounds set a franchise record at the time and marked one of the rare occasions a player achieved such a total in the modern era.

Charles Barkley - 33 rebounds (1986)

In a matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks, Charles Barkley delivered a dominant performance with 28 points and 33 rebounds in a 105-102 victory. Despite being undersized compared to many centers, Barkley used his strength and positioning to out-rebound taller opponents. This game remains the highest rebounding total of his career.

Dennis Rodman - 34 rebounds (1992)

In March 1992, during a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers, Dennis Rodman grabbed 34 rebounds. This was one of the highest totals recorded since the NBA-ABA merger in 1976. He also collected 18 offensive rebounds in that game, an extremely rare achievement. Rodman’s total was nearly equal to the entire Pacers team, which had 38 rebounds.

Maurice Stokes - 38 rebounds (1956)

In the early years of the NBA, Maurice Stokes recorded an incredible 38 rebounds in a game between the Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) and the Syracuse Nationals (now the Philadelphia 76ers). Achieving this as a rookie made the performance even more remarkable, and it remains one of the best rebounding games by a first-year player.

Neil Johnston - 39 rebounds (1954)

In a game between the Philadelphia Warriors and the Syracuse Nationals, Neil Johnston secured 39 rebounds. At that time, shooting efficiency across the league was lower, resulting in more missed shots and rebound opportunities. Even so, Johnston’s performance stood out as one of the most impressive before the dominance of later rebounding legends.

Jerry Lucas - 40 rebounds (1964)

In a game between the Cincinnati Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) and the Philadelphia 76ers, Jerry Lucas recorded 40 rebounds. He became one of the few non-centers to achieve this milestone. Doing so in his rookie season helped him win the Rookie of the Year award.

Nate Thurmond - 42 rebounds (1965)

During a game between the San Francisco Warriors and the Detroit Pistons, Nate Thurmond grabbed 42 rebounds, including 18 in the first quarter alone. This is a number that many modern players would need an entire game to reach. Thurmond was known for his defensive strength, and even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar once described him as one of the toughest opponents he faced.

Bill Russell - 51 rebounds (1960)

In February 1960, during a game between the Boston Celtics and the Syracuse Nationals, Bill Russell became the first player in NBA history to surpass 50 rebounds in a single game, finishing with 51. He broke his own previous record of 49 rebounds set in 1957, shocking the basketball world at the time.

Wilt Chamberlain - 55 rebounds (1960)

Less than a year after Russell’s record, Wilt Chamberlain set the all-time record with 55 rebounds in a game between the Philadelphia Warriors and the Boston Celtics. That game featured a very high number of missed shots, creating many rebounding opportunities. Chamberlain also played the full 48 minutes without rest, making this achievement even more extraordinary. Given the pace and efficiency of modern basketball, this record is considered almost impossible to break.

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