5 NBA players to record 30 rebounds in a game in the 21st century ft. Jusuf Nurkic
Rebounding in the NBA is almost a lost art, mainly because of the efficiency of modern-day offenses. However, few active players have managed to effectively clean up the glass at both ends of the floor.
Several factors have resulted in a decline in rebounding in the NBA, perhaps the most important being the number of minutes played. Coaches realize the importance of rest and have prioritized that to keep players healthy.
Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for the most rebounds in a single game; he grabbed 55 against the Philadelphia Warriors in 1960. Bill Russell is a close second, with his highest tally being 51.
To put into perspective how absurd Chamberlain's rebounding was, he had 30-rebound games in his rookie season alone compared to every player in the NBA since his retirement. The realm of 40 rebounds in a single game has also been unreachable since he bested Russell by grabbing 42 rebounds in an overtime win against the Boston Celtics in 1969.
While new records are being set in the NBA as the years go by, Chamberlain's single-game rebound numbers will not be going away anytime soon. Thirty-one rebounds in a game is the closest a player in the 21st century.
On that note, here are the four players to have registered 30 rebounds in a single game.
Listing the only 4 NBA players to record 30 rebounds in a game in the 21st century
#1 Jusuf Nurkic - 31 rebounds
Jusuf Nurkic had 31 rebounds against the OKC Thunder on Mar. 3. The Suns' big has tied the record among active players for most rebounds in a game. Nurkic was dominant on the boards as expected against a smaller team. He also had 14 points. Nurkic broke the franchise record with his performance.
#2 Kevin Love - 31 rebounds
Kevin Love is the first player in the 21st century to record 30+ rebounds in a single NBA game. When he played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, he reached that milestone in a 112-103 victory against the New York Knicks. It was an all-around dominating display from the 5th-overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft.
Love became the first player to record a 30-30 game since 1982, tallying 31 points and as many rebounds on November 12, 2010. It was a much-needed win as the Timberwolves were on a 2-7 run early in the season.
On that day, Love went 11 of 26 from the field and converted only one three-point shot from three attempts. Of his 31 rebounds, 12 were on the offensive glass. For a guy who is 6' 8" tall, he did great against bigger players like Amar'e Stoudemire and Danilo Gallinari in the Knicks roster.
#3 Andrew Bynum - 30 rebounds
Andrew Bynum's NBA career was drastically cut short following a persistent injury to his left knee. He played only eight seasons, but proved himself as an elite rebounder.
In a game on April 10, 2012, where the San Antonio Spurs hosted the LA Lakers, he registered 30 rebounds and 22 points to lift the Lakers to a 98-84 victory. In the process, he became the second player in the 21st century to record 30 rebounds in an NBA game. Bynum comfortably won the battle for dominance in the paint over the smaller Tim Duncan that day.
That season, Bynum made his first All-Star appearance since joining the NBA in 2005. Sadly, it would be the last, as he never hit top form after he got injured, and was eventually forced to retire early.
#4 Dwight Howard - 30 rebounds
It should come as no surprise to see Dwight Howard on this list, as he has led the NBA in rebounds five times from 2008 to 2013. He was selected as the No. 1 pick by the Orlando Magic in the 2004 NBA draft, and has since been a force in the paint.
On March 21, 2018, he dominated the paint at both ends of the court to lead the Charlotte Hornets to a 111-105 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. He ended the game with 32 points and 30 rebounds, 11 of which were offensive rebounds. It was the second 30-30 game in the NBA since Kevin Love in 2010.
Dwight Howard has always been seen as a prime defender, but he never previously reached the 30-rebound mark. In that game, though, he alone grabbed almost as many rebounds as the entire Nets team, and played for only 34 minutes.
#5 Enes Kanter - 30 rebounds
The 2020-21 NBA season was filled with record-breaking stats in the regular season and playoffs. Although Enes Kanter's achievement might not entirely be considered record-breaking, it is undoubtedly worth noting.
Kanter grabbed 30 boards against the Detroit Pistons on April 10, 2021, in a 118-103 win by the Portland Trail Blazers. He registered 24 points in 37 minutes of play that night.