Shaquille O'Neal

Retired

Los Angeles Lakers · C · 1999-00 NBA MVP · 15× NBA All-Star · 14× All-NBA

Shaquille O'Neal recorded 1,522 NBA appearances across 19 seasons with Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics.

23.7

career pts/gm

10.9

career reb/gm

2.5

career ast/gm

1,207

career games

Five defining games

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A researched consensus introduction to Shaquille O'Neal's defining games.

Editorial methodology and sources

Anchored to Sports Illustrated's dedicated five-game retrospective, then cross-checked against NBA, Lakers, Magic, opponent, and official box-score coverage. The list deliberately represents Orlando, the full Lakers championship peak, and Miami rather than filling every slot from one dominant Finals series.

#1. O'Neal completed his MVP season with 41 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, and no turnovers in the 2000 Finals clincher, securing his first championship and Finals MVP. NBA: Shaq scores 41 and wins the 2000 title · Sports Illustrated: Shaq's five greatest games
#2. In the decisive 2002 West finals Game 7 at Sacramento, O'Neal supplied 35 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks through overtime to preserve the three-peat run. Sports Illustrated: Shaq's five greatest games · NBA: Kings–Lakers 2002 Game 7 box score
#3. At 22, O'Neal overwhelmed Minnesota with 53 points and 18 rebounds in only 36 minutes, the clearest single-game expression of the young Orlando phenomenon. Magic: Ranking Shaq's top Orlando performances · Sports Illustrated: Shaq's five greatest games
#4. On his 28th birthday, O'Neal punished the Clippers for charging him for extra tickets by scoring a career-high 61 points with 23 rebounds and 11 dunks. Sports Illustrated: Shaq's five greatest games · NBA: Clippers–Lakers 2000 box score
#5. At 34, O'Neal made 12 of 14 shots for 28 points, 16 rebounds, and five blocks to eliminate defending East champion Detroit and reach the Finals without Kobe Bryant. Sports Illustrated: Shaq's five greatest games · NBA: Pistons–Heat 2006 Game 6 box score

Reviewed through 2026-07-17

Consensus #1

Indiana Pacers vs Los Angeles Lakers

41 PTS · 12 REB · 1 AST · 4 BLK

Consensus #2

Western ConferenceFinals

Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings

35 PTS · 13 REB · 2 AST · 4 BLK

Consensus #3

Regular Season

1993-94

MINNESOTATIMBERWOLVES

ORLANDOMAGIC

Score hidden

APR 20, 1994

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Orlando Magic

53 PTS · 18 REB · 4 AST · 2 STL · 2 BLK

Consensus #4

Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers

61 PTS · 23 REB · 3 AST

Consensus #5

Eastern ConferenceFirst Round

Detroit Pistons vs Miami Heat

28 PTS · 16 REB · 1 AST · 5 BLK

Single-game records

Career-high games

One verified indexed game for each major box-score category.

Career high · Points (61)

Los Angeles Lakers vs Los Angeles Clippers

61 PTS · 23 REB · 3 AST

Career high · Assists (10)

Toronto Raptors vs Miami Heat

15 PTS · 11 REB · 10 AST · 1 BLK

Career high · Rebounds (28)

Orlando Magic vs New Jersey Nets

24 PTS · 28 REB · 3 AST · 1 STL · 15 BLK

Career high · Steals (5)

Orlando Magic vs Los Angeles Lakers

25 PTS · 18 REB · 2 AST · 5 STL · 7 BLK

Career high · Blocks (15)

Orlando Magic vs New Jersey Nets

24 PTS · 28 REB · 3 AST · 1 STL · 15 BLK

Signature moments

Greatest individual plays

The exact possessions that became part of this player’s story.

Career accomplishments

3× All-Defensive14× All-NBA15× NBA All-StarNBA 50 Greatest PlayersNBA 75th Anniversary Team3× All-Star Game MVP3× Finals MVP1999-00 NBA MVP1992-93 1st All-Rookie selection1992-93 Rookie of the Year19 NBA seasons1,522 career appearances33,846 career points216 playoff appearances2 triple-doublesCareer high: 61 pointsCareer high: 28 reboundsCareer high: 10 assists

Career honors stored from Basketball Reference

Shaquille O'Neal

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Career-high games

Greatest individual plays

Career accomplishments

NBA appearances

Kobe to Shaq

Shaq's power drop step

Team history

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Career-high games