Perhaps because of the image of a “magnificent loser” that stuck to him following his numerous defeats in Finals, Elgin Baylor and his points record in the Finals do not enjoy the same prestige as the two other legendary marks in NBA history: Wilt Chamberlain's 100 points in 1962 in the regular season and Michael Jordan's 63 points in 1986 in the playoffs.
The 61 points of the late Elgin Baylor are however just as unbeatable since no one, since April 14, 1962, has managed to approach them. All failed at best at the 55-point mark, with Michael Jordan in the lead.
In 1961/62, the elegant Lakers winger had his most accomplished and paradoxical season. With 38.3 points, 18.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists on average, he is a candidate for the MVP title. But strong competition (Wilt Chamberlain averaged 50.4 points per game and Oscar Roberston averaged a triple-double) and performances in only 48 matches deprived him of the trophy.
Reservist in the army, he only plays on weekends
Why did he only play almost half a season? Because he was a reservist for the American army!
Result: he is stuck in Washington all week and is only free on weekends. Fortunately for him and Los Angeles, a significant number of matches are played on Saturday and Sunday. Elgin Baylor can't practice and he only joins his teammates to put on his uniform and go on the field. Without training and facing the best players in the world, he is still dominant and he will confirm it in the Finals.
Facing the Celtics of Bill Russell (MVP of the 1962 regular season), who were aiming for the quadruple, the winger achieved the best Finals in history at the time. He exceeds 30 points in each game (40.6 points on average) and during Game 5, to lead 3-2, he compiled 61 points and 22 rebounds! In detail: 18 points in the first quarter, 15 in the second, then 13 in the third and finally 15 in the last. Boston's defense, notably with Tom Sanders in the lead and Bill Russell in the back, was disgusted and had to lose 126-121.
The Lakers managed to take the advantage thanks to their defense in the last quarter and the valuable contribution of Jerry West (24 points). Unfortunately for Elgin Baylor and the Lakers, privileged victims of this domination, the Celtics reversed the trend in the following two matches and won a fourth title in a row. It was not until 1967 and eight titles in a row that they finally fell.
