14 Players With Most Blocks In A Game

• 17 Blocks: October 28, 1973 vs Portland Trail Blazers
• 14 Blocks: October 26, 1973 vs Detroit Pistons
• 14 Blocks: November 4, 1973 vs Houston Rockets

The NBA officially began recording blocked shots during the 1973-1974 season, and Smith established a record that still stands by blocking 17 shots in a game against Portland on October 28, 1973.

Smith is most renowned for his skill in blocking shots, which earned him the moniker "Elmore the Rejector." He topped the league in total blocked shots on two occasions, in 1974 and 1975.

• 15 Blocks: November 20, 1993 vs New Jersey Nets

On November 20, 1993, in a game against the New Jersey Nets, Shaquille O'Neal achieved his first triple-double, scoring 24 points and setting personal bests with 28 rebounds and 15 blocks.

Recognized for his defensive prowess, O'Neal earned a spot on the All-NBA Second Defensive Team three times. His formidable presence posed a threat to those attempting shots close to the basket, leading to an average of 2.3 blocked shots per game throughout his career.

• 15 Blocks: January 25, 1986 vs Atlanta Hawks
• 15 Blocks: February 26, 1987 vs Indiana Pacers
• 13 Blocks: February 2, 1990 vs New Jersey Nets
• 12 Blocks: December 12, 1985 vs Milwaukee Bucks

Sky-high Sudanese center Manute Bol owned the paint with his incredible shot blocking, leaving his mark on NBA history with a staggering 15 blocks in a single game.

He achieved this feat twice, once in 1986 against Atlanta and again in 1987 against Indiana. Besides, his achievement of 397 blocks established a new NBA rookie record and still stands as the second-highest single-season total in the league's history.

• 14 Blocks: January 18, 1985 vs Portland Trail Blazers
• 14 Blocks: February 18, 1989 vs San Antonio Spurs
• 13 Blocks: February 18, 1983 vs Portland Trail Blazers
• 12 Blocks: February 5, 1983 vs Denver Nuggets
• 12 Blocks: March 17, 1984 vs Dallas Mavericks

Mark Eaton holds the record for successfully blocking 10 or more shots in a single basketball game more times than any other player in the league's history, achieving it 19 times.

• 13 Blocks: April 7, 1998 vs Portland Trail Blazers
• 12 Blocks: April 17, 1996 vs Toronto Raptors

Known as "the Stormin' Mormon," Bradley, standing at a towering height of 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 meters), accumulated a total of 2,119 blocks (2.5 blocks per game) throughout his entire NBA career.

His career peak came on April 7th, 1998, facing the Portland Trail Blazers. In a defensive masterclass, Bradley swatted away a staggering 13 shots, the most he ever tallied in a single game.

• 13 Blocks: December 9, 1983 vs Chicago Bulls

Ralph Sampson, a towering center who graced the NBA in the 80s, holds the record for most blocks in a single game by a Houston Rockets player with a whopping 13 rejections against the Chicago Bulls on December 9, 1983.

This impressive feat not only showcased his exceptional defensive prowess and wingspan but also helped secure a 115-112 victory for the Rockets.

Despite his tragically shortened career due to knee injuries, Ralph Sampson's defensive prowess and record-breaking block party remain etched in NBA history.

• 13 Blocks: November 5, 1983 vs Philadelphia 76ers

Darryl Dawkins established a new record for the most blocks in a single game in the history of the Nets franchise, totaling 13 blocks.

On November 5th, 1983, while playing for the New Jersey Nets, facing his former team, the Philadelphia 76ers, Dawkins sent a whopping 13 shots skyward.

This defensive domination wasn't just a one-time performance; Dawkins held the team's rebounding record for a single game (15 boards) and played a key role in the Nets' first-ever playoff series wins.

• 13 Blocks: February 24, 1981 vs Golden State Warriors
• 12 Blocks: March 21, 1978 vs New Orleans Jazz

George Johnson boastfully notched 10 blocks in a game during his career a total of six times and even tied the record at the time with 13 blocks in a 1981 matchup against the Golden State Warriors.

Besides, Johnson topped the NBA in average blocked shots per game on three occasions in 1978, 1981, and 1982.

He achieved the first-ever five-by-five in NBA history on March 26, 1978, against the Washington Bullets, contributing 15 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, and 7 blocks.

• 12 Blocks: January 25, 2015 vs Chicago Bulls

Hassan Whiteside, the towering NBA center known for his rim protection, swatted away a career-high 12 shots on January 25, 2015, against the Chicago Bulls.

Playing for the Miami Heat at the time, Whiteside's defensive dominance helped secure a 96-84 victory. His performance remains not only his personal best but also ties for the 11th most blocks ever recorded in a single NBA game.

He came off the bench and played 33 minutes solidifying his reputation as one of the league's elite shot blockers.

• 12 Blocks: March 15, 2011 vs Chicago Bulls

On March 15, 2011, during a 98–79 defeat to the Chicago Bulls, JaVale McGee achieved his inaugural triple-double, tallying 11 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 blocks.

His career-best 12 blocks marked the highest count since Keon Clark's 12 on March 23, 2001.

McGee achieved three NBA championships, securing back-to-back titles with the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018, and later adding a third championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

• 12 Blocks: March 23, 2001 vs Atlanta Hawks

Keon Clark etched his name in NBA history on March 23, 2001, with a record-breaking performance against the Atlanta Hawks.

Standing tall like a wall, he swatted away a staggering 12 shots, the most blocks ever recorded by a Toronto Raptor in a single game.

Even more remarkable, he achieved this feat without committing a single personal foul, a rare feat in the high-intensity world of basketball. This defensive masterclass earned him individual glory but also propelled the Raptors to a resounding victory.

• 12 Blocks: February 12, 1997 vs New Jersey Nets

On February 12, 1997, Vlade Divac achieved 18 points, secured 9 rebounds, and notched a personal best with 12 blocks during a 113-100 victory against the New Jersey Nets.

Divac belonged to the initial wave of European basketball players making the move to the NBA in the late 1980s.

Recognized as one of the 50 Greatest EuroLeague Contributors, he stands as one of only seven players in NBA history to achieve milestones such as 13,000 points, 9,000 rebounds, 3,000 assists, and 1,500 blocked shots.

• 12 Blocks: February 23, 1990 vs Minnesota Timberwolves

David Robinson, the Admiral, swatted away a career-high 12 shots in a single game, showcasing his defensive prowess.

This feat occurred on February 23, 1990, against the Minnesota Timberwolves. While not the NBA record, it's a testament to Robinson's exceptional height and timing, making him a formidable rim protector throughout his illustrious career.

He also holds the collegiate record for most blocks in a game with 14, achieved during his dominant senior year at Navy.

• 12 Blocks: March 10, 1987 vs Seattle SuperSonics
• 12 Blocks: November 11, 1989 vs Utah Jazz
• 12 Blocks: January 7, 1986 vs Golden State Warriors

Hakeem Olajuwon reigned supreme on the court in blocking shots. Thrice in his career, on November 11, 1989, March 10, 1987 and January 7, 1986, he swatted away a staggering 12 shots.

Olajuwon holds the NBA career block record with a total of 3,830 blocks. He achieved this milestone over 18 years and 1,238 games, concluding his career with averages of 21.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 3.1 blocks per game.