“Wilt Blocked Kareem 17 Times in One Series — At 35 Years Old”
In the world of NBA legends, few matchups echo with as much weight as Wilt Chamberlain vs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. One was the elder statesman of the game, the other, the rising force destined to shatter scoring records. But in the 1972 Western Conference Finals, it was the 35-year-old Chamberlain who reminded everyone that greatness doesn’t age quietly.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks clashed in a six-game series, with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line. Kareem, then just 24 and entering the peak of his powers, was expected to dominate. He was the reigning MVP, armed with the most unstoppable shot in basketball history: the skyhook.
But Wilt had other plans.
Despite his age and a body that had endured more than a decade of physical punishment, Chamberlain didn’t just hold his own—he dominated defensively. Over the course of the series, Wilt blocked Kareem an astonishing 17 times, including five skyhooks in the Game 6 clincher. No official block statistics were kept at the time, but observers, reporters, and teammates all marveled at Wilt’s shot-swatting clinic.
This wasn’t just any series. This was Chamberlain sending a message: the throne wasn’t ready to be handed over. Not yet.
While Kareem would go on to have one of the most decorated careers in sports history, the 1972 WCF was a defining moment for Wilt. It showcased his basketball IQ, strength, and defensive instincts, even against a younger, fresher opponent.
And perhaps most remarkably, it underscored a truth that still resonates today: even when the future shows up, the past doesn’t fade without a fight.
