Moses Malone

Cross-checked NBA, Rockets, and 76ers historical profiles, official box scores, championship retrospectives, record summaries, and recurring fan discussion. The 1983 title and Houston's improbable 1981 run lead; singular scoring and rebounding records complete the list. Where secondary accounts conflict, the verified Sportsboxd and NBA box score controls the stated line.

1. #1. Malone dominated the 1983 Finals clincher with 24 points, 23 rebounds, and three blocks, completing Philadelphia's sweep and securing both his first championship and Finals MVP. 76ers alumni profile: Moses Malone · 76ers: Philadelphia wins the 1983 title
2. #2. Malone overwhelmed Kansas City with 42 points and 23 rebounds in Game 5 of the 1981 West finals, sending the 40–42 Rockets to the NBA Finals. Rockets: Millennium moments in franchise history · NBA: Kings–Rockets 1981 West finals box score
3. #3. Malone supplied 23 points and 15 rebounds in a defensive Game 3 road win that eliminated Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the defending champion Lakers from the 1981 playoffs. NBA Archive 75: Moses Malone · NBA: 1980–81 season review
4. #4. In his final Houston MVP season, Malone set his career scoring high with 53 points and paired it with 22 rebounds—11 offensive—in a victory over San Diego. NBA: Moses Malone's career-high 53 points · NBA Archive 75: Moses Malone
5. #5. Malone collected 33 points and 37 rebounds, including 19 on the offensive glass, setting the post-merger single-game rebounding standard that still stands. NBA: Most rebounds by a player in one game · NBA: Rockets–Jazz 1979 box score

Reviewed through 2026-07-17