Isiah Thomas Sets Single-Quarter Playoff Scoring Record

May 8, 1987 - In Game 3 of a second round match-up with the Atlanta Hawks, Isiah Thomas scored an NBA playoff record 25 points in the third quarter—finishing with 35 in all—as the Detroit Pistons rolled to a 108-99 victory.

"I could see it coming," teammate Bill Laimbeer said following the performance. "Isiah gets this gleam, this glow about him."

Thomas' record stood for just two days, before Golden State Warriors guard Sleepy Floyd erupted for 29 points in the fourth quarter of his team's Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Floyd's postseason record still stands today, while Mark Aguirre (1988) and Charles Barkley (1994) have taken over second place with 27-point quarters.

Thomas would go on to match his 25-point single quarter performance in Game 6 of the 1988 NBA Finals, only this time he did the bulk of his damage with a severely sprained ankle.

Lastly, to answer the question regarding Thomas donning his full first name on the back on his uniform: His former college teammate at Indiana, Jim Thomas, was vying for a roster spot with the Pistons in training camp in 1986 before being cut a week before the start of the regular season. Isiah's full first name was likely a unique equipment manager solution to having multiple Thomas' in training camp, perhaps after jerseys were already ordered and stitched for returning members.

Game 3 Box Score: https://www.basketball-reference.com/...

The Sleepy Floyd Game:    • The Sleepy Floyd Game  

Isiah's SI cover story: https://vault.si.com/vault/1987/05/18...

Full Game (via Sport Mania):    • Видео