Who had 55 rebounds in a game?

Wilt Chamberlain’s Legendary 55-Rebound Game

On November 24, 1960, Wilt Chamberlain did something that seems almost impossible in today’s NBA—he pulled down 55 rebounds in a single game. Playing for the Philadelphia Warriors against the Boston Celtics, Chamberlain didn’t just dominate the boards; he rewrote what was thought possible on the basketball court.

That night, Wilt didn’t just play—he overwhelmed. Alongside his 55 rebounds, he also scored 58 points, finishing with a stat line so absurd it feels like it was pulled from a video game. To put it in perspective, the modern NBA record for rebounds in a game is 37—nearly 20 short of Wilt’s feat.

It wasn’t just a fluke either. Rebounding was Wilt’s domain. At 7’1” with unmatched athleticism, he played center like a force of nature. But even among legends, Chamberlain stood apart. His ability to control the glass night after night pushed the limits of the sport. While Bill Russell, his great rival, came close with 51 rebounds in a game earlier that same season, no one besides Wilt has ever officially cracked the 50-rebound barrier.

This game wasn’t an outlier—it was a glimpse into an era when Wilt played with a level of physical dominance that has never been matched. He once averaged over 27 rebounds per game for an entire season. Yes, you read that right—27 per game.

These days, with faster pace, smaller lineups, and less emphasis on inside play, Chamberlain’s 55-rebound masterpiece feels even more distant. It’s not just a record—it’s a relic of a different basketball world, one ruled by a giant who owned the air above the rim. And as long as the game is played, Wilt’s name will stand tallest in the rebound column.