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Karl Malone was the epitome of buoyant no-chaser efficiency. He was the enforcer for a Utah Jazz team that appeared in back-to-back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998.
The 11-time All-NBA first-team power forward is second on the all-time NBA scoring list. He and fellow Hall of Famer John Stockton are among the best duos in NBA history.
Under the late Jerry Sloan, the Utah Jazz were a serious force in the Western Conference. Karl Malone was as consistent a pro athlete as you'll ever see. He was the 13th pick in the 1985 NBA draft out of Louisiana Tech and played 19 years in the NBA.
Don't get it twisted. Karl Malone being second on the all-time list is more about talent, intelligence and endurance rather than longevity.
With all that said, let's dig into the top five scoring games of Karl Malone's illustrious career.
#5 Playoff career-high of 50 points vs. Gary Payton and the Seattle Supersonics on April 22, 2000
Karl Malone lit up against Horace Grant and the seventh-seeded Seattle Supersonics bench with 50 points in Game 1 of the 2000 NBA playoffs. He became the oldest player to score 50 points in a playoff game (aged 36 years and 273 days).
Malone feasted on fadeaway elbow jumpers. In a game-high 43 minutes, he shot 18-32 and made his only attempt from deep. He also shot 13-14 from the stripe.
The bruising Karl Malone also had 12 rebounds and 3 steals. The second-seeded Utah Jazz won 103-94 and later defeated the Seattle Supersonics in 5 games.
#4 Karl Malone scores 51 points vs. the Golden State Warriors in December 1995
In December 1995, Karl Malone put on his hard hat and went to work on the Golden State Warriors. He hit 19 of 28 shots and 13 of 16 from the line during the game.
The Utah Jazz were coming off two straight losses, and John Stockton had a bad ankle sprain, so Karl Malone had to shoulder the scoring responsibilities.
Karl Malone exploded for 51 points to lead the Utah Jazz to a 123-109 victory. Reserve point guard BJ Armstrong led the Warriors with 21 points, 4 assists and 2 steals.
#3 Karl Malone scores 52 points vs. the Hornets on December 22, 1989
Karl Malone ran over the Charlotte Hornets in December 1989. He shot 22-28, grabbed 17 rebounds while recording 3 assists and 2 steals as the Utah Jazz beat the Hornets 114-100.
Rex Chapman led the Charlotte Hornets with 28 points, while the late Armen Gilliam had 18. However, it was Karl Malone who dominated the game.
Malone scored 16 of the Utah Jazz's 20 points during a seven-minute span vs. Armen Gilliam, Brian Rowsom, JR Reid and Stuart Gray. He rocked the Hornets down low to end the game with 52 points.
Including this game, Karl Malone averaged 35.5 points in four starts vs. the Charlotte Hornets.
#2 The Mailman delivers 56 points vs. the Golden State Warriors on April 7, 1998
Karl Malone feasted on the Golden State Warriors to the tune of 56 points. He hit 18-of-29 shots, his only three-point attempt, and made 19-of-23 from the line.
He also made a runner with two seconds left to dispatch the 16-60 Golden State Warriors. Felton Spencer was just no match for the Hall of Famer.
#1 Karl Malone scores a career-high 61 points vs. the Milwaukee Bucks on January 27, 1990
In 1990, Karl Malone was out for revenge when he learned that fans voted for AC Green over him to represent the Utah Jazz in the NBA All-Star Game. He scored 26 points the day he found out about the snub and responded with a career-high points tally in the very next game.
Malone recorded 61 points and 18 rebounds in just 33 minutes as the Utah Jazz routed the Milwaukee Bucks 144-96 on January 27, 1990. He also had 3 steals.
If the Bucks had put up more of a fight, Karl Malone might have scored 70 and grabbed 20 rebounds. That would have put Malone in an exclusive club only inhabited by Wilt Chamberlain.
Poll : Is Karl Malone the best power forward of all-time?
Of course.
Nope!
64 votes
