View source for Moses Malone

{{short description|American basketball player (1955–2015)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| image = Moses Malone cropped portrait.jpg
| caption = Malone in 2005
| birth_date = {{birth date|mf=yes|1955|03|23}}
| birth_place = [[Petersburg, Virginia]], U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2015|09|13|1955|03|23}}
| death_place = [[Norfolk, Virginia]], U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 260
| weight_footnote =<ref name=lyon_09142015/>
| high_school = [[Petersburg High School (Virginia)|Petersburg]] (Petersburg, Virginia)
| draft_league = ABA
| draft_year = 1974
| draft_round = 3
| draft_pick = 28th overall pick
| draft_team = [[Utah Stars]]
| career_start = 1974
| career_end = 1995
| career_position = [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| career_number = 22, 13, 20, 21, 24, 2, 4, 8
| coach_start = 2006
| coach_end = 2009
| years1 = [[1974–75 ABA season|1974]]–[[1975–76 ABA season|1975]]
| team1 = [[Utah Stars]]
| years2 = [[1975–76 ABA season|1975–1976]]
| team2 = [[Spirits of St. Louis]]
| years3 = {{nbay|1976|start}}
| team3 = [[Buffalo Braves]]
| years4 = {{nbay|1976|start}}–{{nbay|1981|end}}
| team4 = [[Houston Rockets]]
| years5 = {{nbay|1982|start}}–{{nbay|1985|end}}
| team5 = [[Philadelphia 76ers]]
| years6 = {{nbay|1986|start}}–{{nbay|1987|end}}
| team6 = [[Washington Bullets]]
| years7 = {{nbay|1988|start}}–{{nbay|1990|end}}
| team7 = [[Atlanta Hawks]]
| years8 = {{nbay|1991|start}}–{{nbay|1992|end}}
| team8 = [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| years9 = {{nbay|1993|full=y}}
| team9 = Philadelphia 76ers
| years10 = {{nbay|1994|full=y}}
| team10 = [[San Antonio Spurs]]
| cyears1 = {{nbay|2006|start}}–{{nbay|2008|end}}
| cteam1 = Philadelphia 76ers (assistant)
| highlights =
* [[NBA champion]] ({{nbafy|1983}})
* [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Finals MVP]] ({{nbafy|1983}})
* 3× [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player]] ({{nbay|1978|end}}, {{nbay|1981|end}}, {{nbay|1982|end}})
* 12× [[NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|1978}}–{{nasg|1989}})
* [[ABA All-Star]] ([[1975 ABA All-Star Game|1975]])
* 4× [[All-NBA First Team]] ({{nbay|1978|end}}, {{nbay|1981|end}}, {{nbay|1982|end}}, {{nbay|1984|end}})
* 4× [[All-NBA Second Team]] ({{nbay|1979|end}}, {{nbay|1980|end}}, {{nbay|1983|end}}, {{nbay|1986|end}})
* [[NBA All-Defensive First Team]] ({{nbay|1982|end}})
* [[NBA All-Defensive Second Team]] ({{nbay|1978|end}})
* [[ABA All-Rookie Team]] ([[1974–75 ABA season|1975]])
* 6× [[List of National Basketball Association annual rebounding leaders|NBA rebounding leader]] (1979, 1981–1985)
* [[NBA anniversary team]] ([[50 Greatest Players in NBA History|50th]], [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team|75th]])
* [[ABA All-Time Team]]
* No. 2 [[Philadelphia 76ers#Retired numbers|retired by Philadelphia 76ers]]
* No. 24 [[Houston Rockets#Retired numbers|retired by Houston Rockets]]
* [[List of U.S. high school basketball national player of the year awards|National high school player of the year]] (1974)
* First-team [[Parade All-America Boys Basketball Team|''Parade'' All-American]] (1974)
* Fourth-team ''Parade'' All-American (1973)
| stats_league = ABA and NBA
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 29,580 (20.6 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 17,834 (12.2 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Block (basketball)|Blocks]]
| stat3value = 1,889 (1.3 bpg)
| HOF_player = moses-malone
}}

'''Moses Eugene Malone Sr.''' (March 23, 1955 – September 13, 2015)<ref name=b-r/> was an American professional [[basketball]] player who played in both the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA) and the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) from 1974 through 1995. A [[Center (basketball)|center]], he was named the [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award|NBA Most Valuable Player]] (MVP) three times, was a 12-time [[NBA All-Star]] and an eight-time [[All-NBA Team]] selection. Malone led the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] to an [[NBA championship]] in [[1983 NBA Finals|1983]], winning both the league and [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP]]. He was inducted into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] in his first year of eligibility in 2001. <ref name=":0" /> Malone is widely regarded as one of the greatest centers and players of all time.<ref name=":1" />

Malone began his professional career out of high school after he was selected in the third round of the [[1974 ABA draft]] by the [[Utah Stars]]. He was named an [[ABA All-Star]] as a rookie and played two seasons in the league until [[ABA–NBA merger|it merged with the NBA]] in 1976. He landed in the NBA with the [[Buffalo Braves]], who traded him after two games to the [[Houston Rockets]]. Malone became a five-time All-Star in six seasons with the Rockets. After leading the NBA in [[rebound (basketball)|rebounding]] in 1979, he was named league MVP for the first time. He led the Rockets to the [[NBA Finals]] in [[1981 NBA Finals|1981]], and won his second MVP award in 1982. Traded to Philadelphia the following season, he repeated as MVP and led the 76ers to the 1983 championship. In his first of two stints with Philadelphia, he was an All-Star in each of his four seasons. Following another trade, Malone was an All-Star in his only two seasons with the then [[Washington Bullets]] (today's Wizards). He signed as a [[free agent (NBA)|free agent]] with the [[Atlanta Hawks]], earning his 12th straight and final NBA All-Star selection in his first season. In his later years, he played with the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] before returning to the 76ers and completing his career with the [[San Antonio Spurs]].

Malone was a tireless and physical player who led the NBA in rebounding six times, including a then-record five straight seasons (1981–1985). Nicknamed the "'''Chairman of the Boards'''" for his rebounding prowess,<ref name="MM">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/13645531/three-time-nba-mvp-moses-malone-dies-age-60|title=Three-time NBA MVP Moses Malone dies at age 60|publisher=ESPN|date=September 13, 2015|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> he finished his career as the all-time leader in offensive rebounds after leading both the ABA and NBA in the category a combined nine times. Combining his ABA and NBA statistics, Malone ranks tenth all-time in career points (29,580) and third in total rebounds (17,834). He was named to the [[ABA All-Time Team]] along with the [[NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team|NBA's 50th]] and [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team|75th anniversary teams]].

==Early life==
Malone was born in [[Petersburg, Virginia]]. He was an only child, raised primarily by his mother, Mary, who had dropped out of school after finishing the [[fifth grade]]. When Malone was two years old, Mary forced her husband to move out of their home due to his alcohol use.<ref name=si_vault /> Malone's father then moved to Texas.<ref name=goldstein_09132015>{{cite news |last=Goldstein |first=Richard |title=Moses Malone, 76ers' 'Chairman of the Boards,' Dies at 60 |date=September 13, 2015 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/14/sports/basketball/moses-malone-dies-at-60.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615114404/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/14/sports/basketball/moses-malone-dies-at-60.html?_r=1 |archive-date=June 15, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Malone attended [[Petersburg High School (Virginia)|Petersburg High School]], where he played basketball for the school's Crimson Wave. The team went undefeated in his final two years, winning 50 games and back-to-back [[Virginia High School League|Virginia state championship]]s.<ref name=si_vault /><ref name=menmopho>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Z6FWAAAAIBAJ&pg=2675%2C1043629 |work=Free Lance-Star |location=Fredericksburg, Virginia |agency=AP photo |title=Menacing Moses |date=March 9, 1974 |page=6|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref><ref name=fattyft>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=aKFWAAAAIBAJ&pg=7310%2C1241808 |work=Free Lance-Star |location=Fredericksburg, Virginia |agency=Associated Press |last=Johnson |first=Marshall |title=Petersburg stops fatty-footing to win |date=March 11, 1974 |page=7|access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref> Malone signed a [[letter of intent]] to play [[college basketball]] for the [[Maryland Terrapins men's basketball (1970–79)|University of Maryland]] under head coach [[Lefty Driesell]].<ref name=shtmwbw>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=PgEkAAAAIBAJ&pg=7057%2C2625117 |work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |location=Sarasota, Florida |agency=Associated Press |title=Maryland wins bidding war for Moses Malone |date=June 21, 1974 |page=4C |access-date=May 7, 2018}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Weigand |first=Duncan |date=2025-02-21 |title=Moses Malone: NBA Champion and Basketball Hall-of-Famer |url=https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2025/02/21/moses-malone-nba-champion-and-basketball-hall-of-famer/ |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=WSLS |language=en}}</ref>

==ABA career==

===Utah Stars (1974–1975)===
After the [[Utah Stars]] of the [[American Basketball Association]] (ABA) selected him in the third round of the [[1974 ABA Draft]], Malone decided to become a professional,<ref name=medsws>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=m9VjAAAAIBAJ&pg=6951%2C6991325 |work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah|last=Pattison |first=Dan |title=Moses ends drama, signs with Stars |date=August 29, 1974 |page=B7}}</ref><ref name=mmdecut>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wABOAAAAIBAJ&pg=7078%2C3176003|work=Free Lance-Star |location=Fredericksburg, Virginia |agency=Associated Press |title=Malone makes decision – it's Utah |date=August 29, 1974 |page=8}}</ref><ref name=llmmmsv>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QkdNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5325%2C7637527 |work=Lakeland Ledger |location=Florida |agency=United Feature Syndicate |title=Moses Malone: from scared prep player to a confident pro |date=March 30, 1975 |page=10C}}</ref><ref name=nba_bio>{{cite web|title=NBA History: Moses Malone Bio|publisher=National Basketball Association|url=http://www.nba.com/history/players/mmalone_bio.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130025635/http://www.nba.com/history/players/mmalone_bio.html|archive-date=November 30, 2014|url-status=dead|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> becoming the first player in modern professional basketball to enter directly from high school.<ref name=goldstein_09132015/><ref name=medsws/> He began his professional career with Utah in the [[1974–75 ABA season|1974–75 season]] after signing a five-year contract worth $1&nbsp;million.<ref name=llmmmsv/> At {{height|ft=6|in=10}} and a somewhat skinny {{convert|215|lb}} at the time,<ref name=goldstein_09132015 /><ref name=nba_bio /> Malone began his pro career playing at [[forward (basketball)|forward]] until he bulked up enough to handle the rigors at [[center (basketball)|center]].<ref name=nba_bio /> As a rookie, he was named an [[ABA All-Star]] and earned [[ABA All-Rookie]] honors.<ref name=nba_bio /> In the [[1975 ABA Playoffs]], Malone averaged 22.7 points, 17.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game during a first round loss to the [[Denver Nuggets]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1975 ABA Western Division Semifinals |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1975-aba-western-division-semifinals-stars-vs-nuggets.html |website=Basketball Reference}}</ref> After Malone's rookie season concluded, the [[Chicago Bulls]] would try and draft him in the tenth round of the [[1975 NBA draft]], but their selection of him was considered ineligible due to the NBA's four-year rule at the time.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=staff |first=HoopsHype |title=20 greatest centers ever: The HoopsHype list |url=https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rankings/2024/09/16/20-greatest-centers-ever-the-hoopshype-list-kareem-abdul-jabbar-bill-russell-wilt-chamberlain/82804955007/ |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=HoopsHype |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedraftreview.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3389:moses-malone&catid=638&Itemid=342 |title=Moses Malone - Ineligible Draftees |website=The Draft Review|date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref>

===Spirits of St. Louis (1975–1976)===
Malone had been sidelined during all of the [[1975–76 ABA season|1975–76 season]] for Utah with a leg injury when the Stars folded 16 games into the season.<ref name=srvfold>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Xi9OAAAAIBAJ&pg=7096%2C693725 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=Spokane, Washington |agency=Associated Press |title=Utah peddles players, then ABA club folds |page=20}}</ref><ref name=searedink>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XacqAAAAIBAJ&pg=6828%2C671970|work=Deseret News |location=Salt Lake City, Utah|last=Pattison |first=Dan |title=Stars perish in sea of red ink |date=December 3, 1975 |page=D1}}</ref> He was sold to the ABA's [[Spirits of St. Louis]] to help pay down the Stars' debts, alongside Utah teammates [[Ron Boone]], [[Randy Denton]], and [[Steve Green (basketball)|Steve Green]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Spirits Get Stars Of Stars |work=The New York Times |date=December 3, 1975 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1975/12/03/archives/spirits-get-stars-of-stars-stars-fold-and-spirits-buy-top-four.html |last1=Montgomery |first1=Paul L. }}</ref> He played for the Spirits for the remainder of the 1975–76 season, though they did not make the playoffs since they finished with a 35–49 record.<ref>{{cite web |title=1975-76 Spirits of St. Louis Roster and Stats |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SSL/1976.html |website=Basketball Reference}}</ref><ref name="MM" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19751203&id=0888AAAAIBAJ&pg=5074,1687021&hl=en |title=ABA folds Utah Stars; Spirits buy four stars|work=[[Bangor Daily News]]|date=December 3, 1975|access-date=September 13, 2015|via=Google News archive}}</ref> In his two seasons with the ABA, Malone averaged 17.2 points and 12.9 rebounds per game.<ref name=latimes>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-nba-hall-of-famer-moses-malone-dies-20150913-story.html|title=NBA Hall of Famer Moses Malone dies|first=Broderick|last=Turner|date=September 13, 2015|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref>

==NBA career==
===Buffalo Braves (1976)===
The [[ABA–NBA merger]] occurred after the 1975–76 season, but the Spirits of St. Louis were not among the ABA teams chosen to join the NBA.<ref>{{cite news|author=Jonathan Abrams|title=The TV Deal the NBA Wishes It Had Not Made|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jul-31-sp-aba31-story.html|date=July 31, 2006|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> Malone had already been selected by the NBA's [[New Orleans Jazz (NBA team)|New Orleans Jazz]] in a December 1975 pre-merger draft for ABA players of undergraduate age. However, the NBA let them place Malone into the [[1976 ABA Dispersal Draft]] pool in exchange for the return of their first-round draft pick in 1977, which they used to trade for [[Gail Goodrich]].<ref>{{cite book|author=Bill Simmons|title=The Book of Basketball|pages=196–197|year=2009|url=https://archive.org/details/bookofbasketball00simm/page/196/mode/1up|isbn=9780345511768|publisher=ESPN Books|via=Internet Archive|url-access=registration|access-date=May 22, 2022}}</ref> In the 1976 dispersal draft, which was held for the remaining ABA players whose teams did not join the NBA, Malone was selected by the [[Portland Trail Blazers]] with the fifth overall pick.<ref name=si_vault>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1979/02/19/823380/bounding-into-prominence-moses-malone-jumped-from-high-school-to-the-pros-where-he-has-become-the-games-top-rebounder|title=Bounding Into Prominence Moses Malone jumped from high school to the pros, where he has become the game's top rebounder|first=Frank|last=Deford|author-link=Frank Deford|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=February 19, 1979|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref>

The Blazers, who had also acquired power forward [[Maurice Lucas]] in the draft,<ref>{{cite news|first=Ken|last=Doney|title=Tral Blazers deal Petrie, Hawes to Atlanta five|date=August 6, 1976|newspaper=The Oregon Statesman|page=1D|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99386869/|access-date=April 9, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> chose Malone for trading purposes.<ref>{{cite news|first=Alan|last=Greenburg|title=In Moses Malone, the NBA Has Met The Irresistable Force|date=March 28, 1982|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|at=Part III, p. 3|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98687210/malone-trade-from-portland/|access-date=April 9, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> With a frontline of Lucas, [[Bill Walton]] and [[Lloyd Neal]], Portland figured Malone would see little action.<ref>{{cite news|title=Malone off to Braves for cash, draft pick|date=October 20, 1976|newspaper=The Oregon Statesman|page=D1|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99387173/|access-date=April 9, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> They traded him to the [[Buffalo Braves]] prior to the first game of the 1976–77 season for a first-round draft choice in the [[1978 NBA draft]] and $232,000.<ref>(via Google News archive):{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1873&dat=19761020&id=fnE0AAAAIBAJ&pg=4216,1271070&hl=en|title=Moses Malone Traded to Buffalo|work=[[Daytona Beach Morning Journal]]|date=October 20, 1976|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> Malone played in two games with Buffalo. Because they could not meet Malone's demands for playing time, they then traded him to the [[Houston Rockets]] in exchange for first-round draft picks in the [[1977 NBA draft|1977]] and 1978 drafts.<ref>(via Google News archive):{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2512&dat=197610n26&id=s-5cAAAAIBAJ&pg=1321,3685297&hl=en|title=His 5th trade Malone travels|work=The Morning Record|date=October 26, 1976|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref>

===Houston Rockets (1976–1982)===

==== 1976–77 season ====
With the [[Houston Rockets]], Malone played forward opposite [[Rudy Tomjanovich]].<ref name=si_vault /> He appeared in 82 games overall for both Buffalo and Houston and finished the season averaging 13.2 points per game (ppg) with 13.1 rebounds per game (rpg), ranking third in rpg. Malone set a then-NBA record with 437 offensive rebounds in a season, going on to surpass the mark two years later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/orb_season.html|title=NBA & ABA Single Season Leaders and Records for Offensive Rebounds|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> Malone also blocked 2.21 shots per game, the seventh-most in the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1977_leaders.html|title=1976–77 NBA Leaders|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> In the second game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the [[Washington Bullets]], Malone recorded 15 offensive rebounds in the overtime win, setting an [[NBA playoff]] record.<ref name=committed>{{cite web|url=http://thecommittedgeneration.com/moses-malone-the-best-offensive-rebounder-in-nba-history/|title=Moses Malone, the Best Offensive Rebounder in NBA History|work=the Committed Generation|access-date=September 14, 2015|date=September 13, 2015|first=Valerie|last=Morales}}</ref> The Rockets reached the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost 4–2 to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]], his future team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1977-nba-eastern-conference-finals-rockets-vs-76ers.html|title=1977 NBA Eastern Conference Finals|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

==== 1977–78 season: First All-Star selection ====
During his second season in the NBA, Malone was diagnosed with a [[stress fracture]] in his right foot, which caused him to miss the final 23 games.<ref>(via Google News archive):{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19911012&id=H2cxAAAAIBAJ&pg=3406,3100391&hl=en|title=Malone plays young|access-date=September 13, 2015|date=October 12, 1991|work=[[The Milwaukee Sentinel]]}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Despite the time missed to injury, Malone led the NBA with 380 total offensive rebounds and finished second with 15.0 rpg. His scoring improved to 19.4 ppg,<ref name=nba_bio /> and he made his first appearance in an [[NBA All-Star Game]] in [[1978 NBA All-Star Game|1978]].<ref name="MM" />

==== 1978–79 season: First MVP award ====
During the 1978–79 season, Malone emerged as one of the top centers in the league after gaining {{convert|15|lbs}} in the offseason.<ref name=si_vault /><ref name=nba_bio /> He averaged 24.8 points with a career-best .540 shooting percentage and established another career high with a league-leading 17.6 rpg while winning the [[NBA Most Valuable Player Award]].<ref name=nba_bio /><ref>(via Google News archive):{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=110&dat=19790522&id=e9MdAAAAIBAJ&pg=6658,2014389&hl=en|title=Malone Named most Valuable Player|work=[[Ludington Daily News]]|date=May 22, 1979|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> He again led the league in offensive rebounds, setting an all-time single-season record with 587 offensive rebounds.<ref name=wapo>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/moses-malone-basketball-player-who-excelled-at-the-offensive-rebound-dies-at-60/2015/09/13/84fc9f30-5a2c-11e5-8e9e-dce8a2a2a679_story.html?tid=themost_item_4|title=Moses Malone, basketball player who excelled at the offensive rebound, dies at 60|agency=Associated Press|date=September 13, 2015|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> He was voted to the [[All-NBA First Team]]<ref name=allnba>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/all_league.html|title=NBA & ABA All-League Teams|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> and the All-Defensive Second Team.<ref name=alldefense>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/all_defense.html|title=NBA & ABA All-Defensive Teams|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015|archive-date=January 1, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101125851/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/all_defense.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was also voted by fans to start for the East at center in the [[1979 NBA All-Star Game]]. On February 9, he grabbed a career-high 37 rebounds versus the [[New Orleans Jazz (NBA team)|New Orleans Jazz]].<ref>(via Google News archive):{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19790210&id=WFUcAAAAIBAJ&pg=5752,4377348&hl=en|title='Rookie' Malone Grabe 37Rebounds|work=The Dispatch|date=February 10, 1979|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> Although the Rockets qualified for the playoffs, they were eliminated by the [[Atlanta Hawks]] in a first-round sweep. Malone averaged 24.5 points and 20.5 rebounds in the two games.<ref name=nba_bio />

==== 1979–80 season ====
In 1979–80, Malone averaged 25.8 points, fifth-best in the NBA, and 14.5 rebounds, second-best in the league. He was named an All-Star for a third straight season and was also named to the [[All-NBA Second Team]].<ref name="allnba" /> In the opening round of the playoffs, Houston defeated the [[San Antonio Spurs]] in a best-of-three series. Malone registered 37 points and 20 rebounds in the deciding third game, leading the Rockets to a 141–120 victory. In the conference semifinals, the Rockets lost in a sweep to the [[Boston Celtics]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1980-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-rockets-vs-celtics.html|title=1980 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

==== 1980–81 season: First NBA Finals appearance ====
In the 1980–81 season, Malone led the league with 14.8 rpg in 80 games and was again an All-Star as well as a member of the All-NBA Second Team.<ref name="allnba" /> He finished second in scoring (28.8) to [[Adrian Dantley]] (30.7).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1981_leaders.html|title=1980–81 NBA Leaders|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> On March 11, Malone scored 51 points against the [[Golden State Warriors]].<ref>(via Google News archive):{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19810312&id=-YZQAAAAIBAJ&pg=4819,2075331&hl=en|title=Malone'a 51points fuel Rockets' romp|work=[[The Milwaukee Sentinel]]|date=March 12, 1981|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> That postseason, Malone advanced the Rockets to the [[1981 NBA Finals]], by scoring 36 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a decisive Game 5 Western Conference Finals win over the [[Kansas City Kings]].<ref>{{cite web |title=A ROUNDUP OF THE WEEK APRIL 20-26, 1981 |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1981/05/04/for-the-record-a-roundup-of-the-week-april-20-26 |website=Sports Illustrated - Vault}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=1981 NBA Western Conference Finals Game 5: Houston Rockets at Kansas City Kings |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198104290KCK.html |website=Basketball Reference}}</ref> In the finals, despite Malone averaging 22.3 points, 15.7 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks a game, he and the Rockets lost in six games to the [[Boston Celtics]].<ref>{{cite web |title=1981 NBA Finals Rockets vs. Celtics |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1981-nba-finals-rockets-vs-celtics.html |website=Basketball Reference}}</ref>

==== 1981–82 season: Second MVP award ====
In their first season in the [[Midwest Division (NBA)|Midwest Division]], Houston and the [[Kansas City Kings]] tied for second place with identical 40–42 records. During the [[1981-82 NBA season]], Malone averaged 31.1 points with 14.7 rebounds and won his second MVP award.<ref name=espn>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/13647582/nba-moses-malone-was-nba-most-underappreciated-great-player|title=Moses Malone was NBA's most underappreciated great player|first=J.A.|last=Adande|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=September 13, 2015|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> He repeated as the NBA leader in rebounds and was the runner-up for the league's scoring title to [[George Gervin]] (32.3). He was also the league leader in offensive rebounds (558) and minutes played (3,398, 42.0 per game). At the end of the season Malone earned his second placement on the All-NBA First Team.<ref name=allnba /> He set a career-high in scoring average and also set a single-game career-high with 53 points on February 2 against the [[Los Angeles Clippers#1978–1984: San Diego Clippers|San Diego Clippers]]. Nine days later, on February 11 against the [[Seattle SuperSonics]], Malone eclipsed his own league record with 21 offensive rebounds.<ref name=committed /> In Malone's last season in Houston the Rockets followed their NBA Finals appearance in 1981<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1981-nba-finals-rockets-vs-celtics.html|title=1981 NBA Finals|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> with a first-round exit in the 1982 playoffs. Though he averaged 24.0 points with 17.0 rebounds, Seattle defeated Houston 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1982-nba-western-conference-first-round-rockets-vs-supersonics.html|title=1982 NBA Western Conference First Round|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

===Philadelphia 76ers (1982–1986)===

==== 1982–83 season: Championship season and Finals MVP ====
Malone became a [[restricted free agent]] after the 1981–82 season. He signed an [[offer sheet]] of six-years for $13.2&nbsp;million with the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] on September 2, 1982. The 76ers were coming off a 4–2 loss in the Finals to the [[Los Angeles Lakers]], whose center, [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]], outplayed their big-man duo of [[Darryl Dawkins]] and [[Caldwell Jones]]. The Rockets franchise was sold, and the new owners decided that Malone's $2&nbsp;million annual salary did not fit their plans.<ref>{{cite news|last=Penner |first=Mark |title=The Sixers trade for Moses Malone |date=March 8, 2013 |work=Philadelphia Daily News |url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/sixers/20130308_Holy_Moses_.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910103530/http://articles.philly.com/2013-03-08/sports/37564051_1_moses-malone-sixers-fan-lee-fentress |archive-date=September 10, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Houston matched the offer and agreed to trade Malone to the 76ers for Jones and their first-round pick in the [[1983 NBA draft]] on September 15.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2519&dat=19820916&id=V69dAAAAIBAJ&pg=4683,2228079&hl=en|title=Mose Malone Traded|work=[[Observer-Reporter]]|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015|date=September 16, 1982}}</ref> With [[Julius Erving]], [[Maurice Cheeks]], [[Andrew Toney]], and [[Bobby Jones (basketball, born 1951)|Bobby Jones]], the Sixers ran away from the league en route to the NBA championship. Malone was named the league MVP for the second straight year, becoming the only NBA player ever to win the award in consecutive seasons with two different teams, a feat matched only by [[Barry Bonds]] (1992–1993) in the [[Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada|four major American sports leagues]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://spectator.org/blog/64054/moses-malone-rip|title=Moses Malone, R.I.P.|work=The American Spectator|date=September 13, 2015 |access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref>

That year, Malone averaged 15.3 rebounds per game, which led the league for the third consecutive year, and also averaged 24.5 points, which was fifth-best in the NBA. He was an All-Star for the sixth consecutive season and earned first-team honors on both the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams.<ref name=allnba /><ref name=alldefense /> The 76ers lost only one game in the postseason as they won the league championship, defeating the Lakers in a 4–0 sweep in the [[1983 NBA Finals]].<ref name="MM" /> In 13 playoff games, Malone averaged 26.0 points with 15.8 rebounds. He was named the [[Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award|Finals MVP]], having outrebounded Abdul-Jabbar 72–30 in the series.<ref name=aschburner_09132015 /> It was also around this time that Malone began to tutor [[Hakeem Olajuwon]], passing on the torch to the future Rockets superstar.<ref>{{cite web|last=Blount|first=Terry|url=http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1994_1203645|title=Hakeem: For the record/"Kunta Kinte' image was way off|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=May 22, 1994|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref>

His head coach [[Billy Cunningham]] said, "Let's not make believe. The difference from last year was Moses."<ref name=aschburner_09132015 /> Before the [[1983 NBA Playoffs|playoffs]] began, Malone predicted in [[African American Vernacular English|Southern vernacular]] that Philadelphia would go "fo, fo, fo", envisioning a four-game sweep in each of the playoffs' three rounds, playing the minimum 12 games.<ref name=goldstein_09132015 /> His prediction (and its formulation) became famous: ''The New York Times'' called it "an enduring quotation" and "an unforgettable line,"<ref>{{cite news|last1=Araton|first1=Harvey|title=Moses Malone Was Easy to Overlook but Undeniably Great|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/17/sports/basketball/moses-malone-was-easy-to-overlook-but-undeniably-great.html|access-date=September 18, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=September 16, 2015}}</ref> and [[Comcast SportsNet]] called it "one of the greatest rallying cries ever uttered."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Jones|first1=Gordie|title=Moses Malone: The ultimate hard hat and 1980s NBA icon|url=http://www.csnphilly.com/basketball-philadelphia-76ers/fo-fo-fo-remembering-moses-malone-nba-symbol-80s|access-date=September 18, 2015|publisher=csnphilly.com|date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> As it transpired, the Sixers only lost one playoff game (Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals to the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]) en route to making Malone a world champion for the first time, sweeping the [[New York Knicks|Knicks]] in the first round and the Lakers in the finals. This led to the inside of that year's [[championship ring]] being inscribed "fo' fi' fo (four, five, four)."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/all_access/rings_drj.html |title=The Ring's The Thing: Dr. J |publisher=National Basketball Association|access-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref> The 76ers' 12–1 cruise through the 1983 playoffs was, at the time, the most dominant playoff run in NBA history.<ref name=committed />

==== 1983–84 season ====
In the 1983–84 season Malone led the league in rebounding with 13.4 rpg. He was limited to 71 games that season due to ankle injuries, his lowest since the 1977–78 season. Malone scored 22.7 ppg in his second season with Philadelphia and was named to the All-NBA Second Team.<ref name=allnba /> Malone was selected again for the All-Star Game but he was unable to play because of an ankle injury. During the season he averaged 21.4 points with 13.8 rebounds in five games in the playoffs, but Philadelphia lost in a first-round upset against the [[New Jersey Nets]].<ref name=nba_bio />

==== 1984–85 season ====
The Sixers selected [[Charles Barkley]] in the [[1984 NBA draft]]. When he reported to training camp at {{convert|300|lbs}}, Malone began to mentor him, encouraging him to get in better shape. Barkley got down to {{convert|255|lbs}} and made the [[NBA All-Rookie Team]].<ref name=barkley>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/13650802/nba-how-moses-malone-mentored-young-charles-barkley|title=How Moses Malone mentored a young Charles Barkley|publisher=ESPN|first=Jackie|last=McMullen|date=September 13, 2015|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> In the 1984–85 season, Malone recorded 13.1 rpg, leading the NBA in rebounding for a record-setting fifth straight season (since surpassed by [[Dennis Rodman]] with seven consecutive seasons).<ref name=wapo /> He was voted by a fan ballot to the All-Star team for the eighth time and finished the season with 24.6 ppg, which ranked ninth-best in the league. He received his fourth All-NBA First Team honor<ref name=allnba /> and finished third in the NBA Most Valuable Player Award balloting; the award was won by [[Larry Bird]]. Malone scored his 15,000th NBA point on November 28,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1928&dat=19841127&id=VZwgAAAAIBAJ&pg=1236,5074624&hl=en|title=Sixersbreeze past Pacer|work=[[The Lewiston Daily Sun]]|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015|date=November 27, 1984}}</ref> and grabbed his 10,000th NBA rebound on March 29.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=860&dat=19850330&id=vplUAAAAIBAJ&pg=3967,10529646&hl=en|title=Celtices hold off Sixer rally|work=[[Ellensburg Daily Record]]|via=Google News Archive Search|date=March 30, 1985|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> He scored 51 points against the [[Detroit Pistons]] on November 14. The 76ers reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 1985 but were defeated 4–1 by the Celtics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1985-nba-eastern-conference-finals-76ers-vs-celtics.html|title=1985 NBA Eastern Conference Finals|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

==== 1985–86 season ====
Malone's 1985–86 season ended when he suffered an [[orbital fracture]] in his right eye in a March 28 game against the Bucks. Despite hopes that he might return during the playoffs, he was ruled out for the postseason.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19860426&id=iT1WAAAAIBAJ&pg=6960,3055036&hl=en|title=Sixers' Malone ruled out of playoff|date=April 26, 1986|via=Google News Archive Search|work=[[The Gainesville Sun]]|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Philadelphia lost 4–3 to the Bucks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1986-nba-eastern-conference-semifinals-76ers-vs-bucks.html|title=1986 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> Malone averaged 23.8 points with 11.8 rebounds in 74 appearances that season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1986.html|title=1985–86 Philadelphia 76ers|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> He ranked seventh in the league in scoring and fourth in rebounding, ending his five-season streak as the NBA rebounding champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1986_leaders.html|title=1985–86 NBA Leaders|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> Malone was named an All-Star, but he was not named to the All-NBA Team, the first time he was not selected since 1978.<ref name=allnba />

===Washington Bullets (1986–1988)===
Shortly after the 1985–86 season, Philadelphia traded Malone, [[Terry Catledge]], and two first-round draft picks to the [[Washington Bullets]] in exchange for [[Jeff Ruland]] and [[Cliff Robinson (basketball, born 1960)|Clifford T. Robinson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19860617&id=OrorAAAAIBAJ&pg=6759,4955728&hl=en|title=Philadelphia trades Malone, first draft choice|agency=Associated Press|work=The Telegraph|via=Google News Archive Search|page=13|date=June 17, 1986|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> Malone bounced back from an injury-shortened 1985–86 campaign, averaging 24.1 points with 11.3 rebounds. He was named to his 10th consecutive All-Star Game and again was named to the All-NBA Second Team.<ref name=allnba /> Malone was the only player to finish in the top 10 in both ppg and rpg; he placed ninth in both categories.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1987_leaders.html|title=1986–87 NBA Leaders|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

Malone scored his 20,000th NBA point on April 12 against the Detroit Pistons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19870413&id=_65RAAAAIBAJ&pg=2862,4665806&hl=en|title=Malone nets 20,000th; Bullets win|agency=Associated Press|page=30|date=April 13, 1987|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> He scored 50 points versus the New Jersey Nets on April 8,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19870409&id=tmcaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6902,559913&hl=en|title=Malone's 50 points are a pain to Nets|agency=Associated Press|date=April 9, 1987|page=7C|work=The Milwaukee Journal|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> joining [[Earl Monroe]] (56) and [[Phil Chenier]] (52) as the only Bullets players ever to score 50 points in a game. Washington appeared in the postseason but was swept by the Pistons in the first round. Malone averaged 20.7 points and 12.7 rebounds in the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1987-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-bullets-vs-pistons.html|title=1987 NBA Eastern Conference First Round|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

In his 12th NBA season, Malone ranked eighth in the NBA in rebounding (11.2) and 19th in scoring (20.3). Malone was named to his 11th consecutive All-Star Game in [[1988 NBA All-Star Game|1988]]. Malone scored in double figures in 76 of 79 games and recorded 55 [[Double (basketball)#Double-double|double-doubles]] for the year. The Bullets reached the [[1988 NBA Playoffs]], but lost to Detroit 3–2 in their first-round series. Malone averaged 18.6 points with 11.2 rebounds in the series.<ref name="MM" />

===Atlanta Hawks (1988–1991)===

==== 1988–89 season: Final All-Star selection ====
Before the 1988–89 season, Malone agreed to a three-year deal to play with the [[Atlanta Hawks]]. The Hawks, featuring [[Dominique Wilkins]], had won at least 50 games in the prior three seasons, and believed the free-agent center was a missing piece to a potential championship team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19880817&id=asVOAAAAIBAJ&pg=2488,266888&hl=en|title=Holy Moses! Malone signs 3-year contract with Atlanta|first=Tom|last=Saladino|agency=Associated Press|date=August 17, 1988|page=1C|work=Ocala Star-Banner|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> During the season, Malone averaged 20.2 points with 11.8 rebounds, becoming the first and only player in professional history to average 20 points and 10 rebounds for four different teams. He was voted by a fan ballot to the [[1989 NBA All-Star Game]], which was his 12th straight and final appearance. Malone reached double figures in points in 75 of his 81 games and recorded double figures in rebounds 55 times. On February 4, 1989, he scored a season-high 37 points against the [[Phoenix Suns]]. The Hawks were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Milwaukee. In the series, Malone scored 21.0 ppg and had 12.0 rpg.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1989-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-bucks-vs-hawks.html|title=1989 NBA Eastern Conference First Round|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

==== 1989–90 season ====
The following season, Malone finished with 18.9 ppg and 10.0 rpg, ending a string of 11 consecutive 20–10 campaigns. Malone led the NBA with 364 offensive rebounds and tied for eighth in rpg. In [[Mike Fratello]]'s final year as head coach, Atlanta finished with a 41–41 record, failing to qualify for the playoffs. Malone began the 1990–91 season as the Hawks' starting center, but after 15 games, Atlanta's new coach, [[Bob Weiss]], made [[Jon Koncak]] the starter and Malone his backup for the final 67 contests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19901218&id=-pFKAAAAIBAJ&pg=6874,4091326&hl=en|title=Pro Roundup|agency=Associated Press|page=13|date=December 18, 1990|work=The Telegraph|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref>

==== 1990–91 season ====
Coming off the bench for the first time in his career, Malone averaged 10.6 points with 8.1 rebounds in 23.3 [[minutes per game]] while starting just 18 of 82 games played during the 1990–91 season—all career lows at that point. On November 3, against the [[Indiana Pacers]], Malone became the NBA career leader in [[free throw]]s made with 7,695, besting the previous record set by [[Oscar Robertson]]. On November 21, against the Bucks, Malone scored his 25,000th career point.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19910118&id=mAFNAAAAIBAJ&pg=2946,2565444&hl=en|title=Moses quietly keeps playing|agency=Associated Press|date=January 18, 1991|page=1B|work=Rome News-Tribune|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> On March 15, he recorded his 15,000th career rebound against the [[Dallas Mavericks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=894&dat=19960315&id=ch0OAAAAIBAJ&pg=6831,1788037&hl=en|title=On This Date|page=15A|date=March 15, 1996|work=The Daily Courier|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> Malone surpassed [[Wilt Chamberlain]]'s mark of consecutive games without fouling out with his 1,046th straight game against the Detroit Pistons on April 19.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1310&dat=19910420&id=QLVYAAAAIBAJ&pg=6841,4349229&hl=en|title=Blazers crown Kings for 16th straight victory|agency=Associated Press|page=3C|date=April 20, 1991|work=Eugene Register-Guard|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> The Hawks returned to the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by Detroit, 3–2. In the series, Malone averaged just 4.2 points with 6.2 rebounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1991-nba-eastern-conference-first-round-hawks-vs-pistons.html|title=1991 NBA Eastern Conference First Round|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

===Milwaukee Bucks (1991–1993)===
A free agent after the 1990–91 season, Malone signed a two-year contract with the [[Milwaukee Bucks]]. Malone was reported to earn $1.6&nbsp;million in the first season and $2&nbsp;million for the second season. Malone once again started at center during the 1991–92 season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19910711&id=MDgdAAAAIBAJ&pg=6747,2117196&hl=en|title=Milwaukee's bucks lure Moses Malone|agency=Associated Press|page=4C|date=July 11, 1991|work=The Tuscaloosa News|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> averaging 15.6 points with 9.1 rebounds while playing in all 82 games. He led the Bucks in rebounding and finished second on the team in scoring. He scored a season-high 30 points twice and grabbed 19 rebounds against the Seattle SuperSonics on March 27. Milwaukee finished with a 31–51 record, tied for last place of the [[Central Division (NBA)|Central Division]] with the [[Charlotte Hornets]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1992.html|title=1991–92 NBA Season Summary|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref>

After one practice in training camp in October 1992, Malone was sidelined due to a [[herniated disc]] in his back.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1957&dat=19921015&id=epNGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3843,4029329&hl=en|title=Malone has herniated disc|work=The Daily Gazette|via=Google News Archive Search|page=C3|date=October 15, 1992|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> After trying to play through the pain, he decided to have surgery in November.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2026&dat=19921105&id=2L0jAAAAIBAJ&pg=3486,4041318&hl=en|title=Moses Malone out indefinitely|page=5D|agency=Associated Press|date=November 5, 1992|work=Moscow-Pullman Daily News|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> Recovery from the surgery caused Malone to miss the majority of the 1992–93 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19921107&id=MeFLAAAAIBAJ&pg=5426,1035340&hl=en|title=Malone sidelined by back surgery|agency=Associated Press|date=November 7, 1992|page=C8|work=The Free Lance-Star|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> He returned to the Bucks on March 27, appearing in 11 games during the remainder of the season.<ref name=backtosixers>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19930812&id=hAIiAAAAIBAJ&pg=5176,6734505&hl=en|title=Malone returning to Sixers|page=D5|date=August 12, 1993|work=Reading Eagle|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> Struggling with the younger players on their roster, the Bucks finished 28–54 and last in the Central Division.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1993.html|title=1992–93 NBA Season Summary|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref>

===Return to Philadelphia (1993–1994)===
The [[Philadelphia 76ers]] signed Malone as a free agent in August, so that he could serve as a backup and mentor to {{convert|7|ft|6|in|adj=on}} rookie [[Shawn Bradley]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1665&dat=19930813&id=QTIaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6816,3068241&hl=en|title=Moses Malone returns to Philadelphia|agency=Associated Press|page=2B|date=August 13, 1993|work=The Times-News|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2026&dat=19930817&id=ag0kAAAAIBAJ&pg=4771,4261638&hl=en|title=Sixers' Bradley gets top tutoring from old pros|agency=Associated Press|page=3B|date=August 17, 1993|work=Moscow-Pullman Daily News|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> Malone appeared in 55 games as a reserve for the 76ers, averaging 5.3 points with 4.1 rebounds.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1994.html|title=1993–94 Philadelphia 76ers|publisher=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref>

===San Antonio Spurs (1994–1995)===
In 1994, Malone signed with the [[San Antonio Spurs]], where he was used as a back-up center to [[David Robinson]].<ref name="MM" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19940826&id=GTIfAAAAIBAJ&pg=4007,3042448&hl=en|title=Moses Malone signs deal to play for Spurs|page=B2|date=August 26, 1994|work=Herald-Journal|via=Google News Archive Search|access-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> The [[1994–95 NBA season]] was his last in the NBA, and at that time, he was the only remaining active former ABA player. During the final game of his NBA career, against the [[Charlotte Hornets]], he hit a buzzer-beating three-point shot from the opposing free throw line, {{convert|74|ft}} away from the basket. He played 17 games for the Spurs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2015/09/13/nba-legend-former-spur-moses-malone-dies-at-60/|title=NBA legend, former Spur Moses Malone dies at 60|work=Spurs Nation|access-date=September 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915140814/http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursnation/2015/09/13/nba-legend-former-spur-moses-malone-dies-at-60/|archive-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref>

==Player profile==
Malone stood {{convert|6|ft|10|in}} and weighed {{convert|260|lb}}.<ref name=lyon_09142015>{{cite news|last=Lyon |first=Bill |title=Bill Lyon: Moses Malone a force like no other on the boards |date=September 14, 2015 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20150914_Bill_Lyon__Moses_Malone_a_force_like_no_other_on_the_boards.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219110157/http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20150914_Bill_Lyon__Moses_Malone_a_force_like_no_other_on_the_boards.html |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |url-status=live|quote=At 6-foot-10 and 260 he was hardly small, but more forward than center, and there were plenty of centers taller than he, and yet he dominated in the paint.}}</ref> Described as "relentless" and "a force on the boards like no other,"<ref name=lyon_09142015/> he pounded his opponents into submission<ref name=cotton_12101986>{{cite news|last=Cotton |first=Anthony |title=Moses Malone Likes to Pound Opponents Into Submission |date=December 10, 1986 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-12-10-sp-2128-story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240527130105/https://www.webcitation.org/6bYl8Etko?url=http://articles.latimes.com/print/1986-12-10/sports/sp-2128_1_jeff-malone |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |url-status=live |df=mdy }}</ref> with ferocious effort and physical play.<ref name=goldstein_09132015/> Nicknamed "Chairman of the Boards" for his rebounding prowess,<ref name="MM"/> he was notable for rebounding and scoring off his own misses, possessing the strength, quickness, and zeal to recover the ball before his opponents.<ref name=aschburner_09132015 /><ref>{{cite news|last=Helin |first=Kurt |title=Hall of Famer Moses Malone dies at age 60 |date=September 13, 2015 |publisher=NBCSports.com |url=http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/09/13/hall-of-famer-moses-malone-dies-at-age-60/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914184739/http://nba.nbcsports.com/2015/09/13/hall-of-famer-moses-malone-dies-at-age-60/ |archive-date=September 14, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Rafferty |first=Scott |title=Andre Drummond channeling Moses Malone is scary for NBA centers |date=August 31, 2015 |website=Sporting News |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2015-08-31/andre-drummond-moses-malone-rebounding-miss-pistons |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905081410/http://www.sportingnews.com/nba/story/2015-08-31/andre-drummond-moses-malone-rebounding-miss-pistons |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> This led to some contending he intentionally missed shots to pad his rebounding statistics.<ref name=lyon_09142015 /><ref name=jones_09142015>{{cite news |last=Jones |first=Gracie |title=Moses Malone: The ultimate hard hat and 1980s NBA icon |date=September 14, 2015 |publisher=CSNPhilly.com |url=http://www.csnphilly.com/basketball-philadelphia-76ers/fo-fo-fo-remembering-moses-malone-nba-symbol-80s |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915233525/http://www.csnphilly.com/basketball-philadelphia-76ers/fo-fo-fo-remembering-moses-malone-nba-symbol-80s |archive-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The unwritten rules of sports – in writing|date=January 11, 2005|newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/The-unwritten-rules-of-sports-in-writing-1163966.php}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Watts|first1=Slick|last2=Hughes|first2=Frank|title=Slick Watts's Tales from the Seattle SuperSonics|page=123|year=2005|publisher=Sports Publishing|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FZFoV2fP_RcC&q=%22moses%20malone%22%20purpose%20miss&pg=PA123|isbn=978-1-58261-904-0|access-date=September 15, 2015}}</ref> He was not a very good passer.<ref name=cotton_12101986 /><ref>{{cite book|last=Simmons|first=Bill|title=The Book of Basketball|page=[https://archive.org/details/bookofbasketball00simm/page/544 544]|year=2009|publisher=ESPN Books|isbn=978-0-345-51176-8|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/bookofbasketball00simm/page/544}}</ref> When [[Carroll Dawson]], an [[assistant coach]] with the Rockets, suggested that Malone needed to improve his passing, he replied, "They ain't paying me to pass."<ref name=espn />

He finished his career with the most combined ABA and NBA offensive rebounds (7,382), 35 percent over runner-up [[Artis Gilmore]]. Nine times he led his respective league in offensive rebounds, and five other times he finished in the top three.<ref name=aschburner_09132015 /> He also holds NBA records for the most offensive rebounds in a career (6,731), season (587), and game (21).<ref name=MM /> Malone was a 13-time All-Star, and earned eight All-NBA selections, ranking ninth all-time with 29,580 points, and third with 17,834 rebounds.<ref name=b-r>{{cite basketball-reference|id=m/malonmo01|access-date=December 25, 2023}}</ref><ref name=aschburner_09132015 /> He is one of three players to exceed 28,000 points and 17,000 rebounds.{{efn|Along with [[Wilt Chamberlain]] and [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]<ref name=feigen_09132015/>}} He also ranks second all-time in free throws made (9,018) and attempted (11,864). Malone is one of just nine players who have been named NBA MVP three or more times.<ref name=aschburner_09132015 /> He led the league in rebounds six times, including five straight from 1980 through 1985.<ref name=MM /> He was inducted into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] in his first year of eligibility in 2001.<ref name=aschburner_09132015>{{cite news|last=Aschburner |first=Steve |title=Moses Malone, dead at 60, was an NBA elite |date=September 13, 2015 |publisher=National Basketball Association |url=http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/steve_aschburner/09/13/moses-malone-feature-obit/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915025616/http://www.nba.com/2015/news/features/steve_aschburner/09/13/moses-malone-feature-obit/ |archive-date=September 15, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Rockets [[retired number|retired]] his No. 24 jersey in 1998,<ref name=feigen_09132015>{{cite news|last=Feigen|first=Jonathan|title=Rockets legend Moses Malone dies, called 'the greatest human being you'd ever want to meet'|date=September 13, 2015|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|url=https://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2015/09/rockets-legend-moses-malone-dies/|access-date=January 22, 2019}}</ref> and the 76ers retired his No. 2 on February 8, 2019. Although the 76ers had offered to retire Malone's jersey previously, Malone insisted that all of his teammates on the 76ers be included on the banner, a request that the team fulfilled when they did retire his number.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bogage |first=Jacob |date=February 8, 2019 |title=The 76ers retired Moses Malone's jersey with each of his teammates' names stitched onto the banner |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/02/08/ers-will-retire-moses-malones-jersey-with-each-his-teammates-names-stitched-onto-banner/ |access-date=July 31, 2025 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> In addition to retiring Malone's jersey number, the 76ers also unveiled a statue in front of the team's training facility in [[Camden, New Jersey]].<ref>{{cite web |title=76ers unveil Moses Malone statue, will retire No. 2 jersey |url=https://www.nba.com/article/2019/02/08/76ers-unveil-moses-malone-statue-retire-jersey |website=NBA.com |access-date=February 9, 2019 |date=February 8, 2019}}</ref> In 2022, to commemorate the NBA's 75th Anniversary ''[[The Athletic]]'' ranked their top 75 players of all time, and named Malone as the 18th greatest player in NBA history.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3082138/2022/01/26/nba-75-at-no-18-moses-malone-was-absolutely-relentless-and-let-his-prodigious-game-do-the-talking/ | title=NBA 75: At No. 18, Moses Malone was 'absolutely relentless' and let his prodigious game do the talking | last1=Aldridge | first1=David | work=The New York Times | date=September 30, 2022 }}</ref>

==Awards and honors==
* 1983 [[NBA champion]]<ref name=wapo />
* 1983 [[NBA Finals MVP]]<ref name=wapo />
* 3× [[NBA MVP]]<ref name=wapo />
* 13× All-Star (1 ABA, 12 NBA)<ref name=latimes />
* [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] (class of 2001)<ref name=wapo />
* No. 2 retired by the [[Philadelphia 76ers]]<ref name="76ers retire no 2">{{cite news |last1=Bogage |first1=Jacob |date=February 8, 2019 |title=The 76ers retired Moses Malone's jersey with each of his teammates' names stitched onto the banner |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/02/08/ers-will-retire-moses-malones-jersey-with-each-his-teammates-names-stitched-onto-banner |access-date=February 9, 2019 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>
* No. 24 retired by the [[Houston Rockets]]<ref name="MM" />
* [[50 Greatest Players in NBA History|NBA 50th Anniversary Team]] (1996)
* [[NBA 75th Anniversary Team]] (2021)

==Personal life==
Malone and his wife, Alfreda Gill, ( married in 1982) had two sons, Moses Eugene Jr. and Michael Malone.<ref name="Times-Dispatch">{{cite news|last1=Kolenich|first1=Eric|title=Moses Malone saw doctor, got heart monitor a week before death|url=http://www.richmond.com/news/local/central-virginia/tri-cities/petersburg/article_d496e85d-2ac3-5395-a2d3-d26d87027b87.html|access-date=September 23, 2015|work=Richmond Times-Dispatch|publisher=BH Media Group Holdings, Inc.|date=September 14, 2015}}</ref> Alfreda sued for divorce in September 1991, on the grounds of irreconcilable differences, cruelty, and adultery. She got a [[restraining order]] in June 1992, ordering Malone to refrain from contact with her during the course of the lawsuit. At that time, Malone denied allegations that he abused his wife or threatened to kill her.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19920604&id=9cIfAAAAIBAJ&pg=4957,378406&hl=en|title=Restraining order targets Malone|newspaper=Gadsden Times|date=June 4, 1992|access-date=September 14, 2015|page=D3}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Judge puts restrictions on Malone|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19920604&id=V4oyAAAAIBAJ&pg=6427,874256&hl=en|newspaper=Lawrence Journal-World|access-date=September 16, 2015|page=2D|date=June 4, 1992}}</ref> The divorce was granted in October 1992.<ref name=divorce>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/10/11/moses-malone-divorce-case-settled/|title=Moses Malone Divorce Case Settled|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|access-date=September 13, 2015|date=October 11, 1992}}</ref>

In January 1993, Malone was arrested driving in [[Galveston, Texas]], across Galveston Bay from his former wife's home, for having violated a peace bond Alfreda had obtained. Her affidavit for its issuance alleged that Malone had stalked her, illegally entered her home in [[League City, Texas]], damaged her property and threatened to kill her. Malone posted bail and was released.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19930130&id=0qIaAAAAIBAJ&pg=3611,5876883&hl=en|title=Malone arrested on complaint from his ex-wife|newspaper=The Milwaukee Journal|date=January 30, 1993|access-date=September 14, 2015|page=A 12}}</ref>

Malone dated Leah Nash, whom he had met in 2006, though they did not marry nor live together. They had a son, Micah Francois Malone, who was six years old at the time of Malone's death.<ref name="Times-Dispatch"/>

===Death===
Malone died in his sleep from [[heart disease]] at the age of 60, on the morning of September 13, 2015, at a hotel in [[Norfolk, Virginia]]. He had been scheduled to play in a charity golf tournament that day and was found unresponsive in his room when he did not appear for breakfast or answer his phone. Malone had previously complained of an irregular heartbeat and was reported to have been wearing a heart monitor when he died.<ref name="Times-Dispatch"/>

==NBA/ABA career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend|champion=y|leader=y}}

===Regular season===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{abay|1974}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1974–75 Utah Stars season|Utah (ABA)]]
| '''83''' || {{sort|-|—}} || 38.6 || '''.571''' || .000 || .635 || 14.6 || 1.0 || 1.0 || 1.5 || 18.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{abay|1975}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1975–76 Spirits of St. Louis season|St. Louis (ABA)]]
| 43 || {{sort|-|—}} || 27.2 || .512 || .000 || .612 || 9.6 || 1.3 || .6 || .7 || 14.3
|-
| style="text-align:left"; rowspan=2|{{nbay|1976}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1976–77 Buffalo Braves season|Buffalo]]
| 2 || {{sort|-|—}} || 3.0 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .5 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
|-

| style="text-align:left;"|[[1976–77 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 80 || {{sort|-|—}} || 31.3 || .480 || {{sort|-|—}} || .693 || 13.4 || 1.1 || .8|| '''2.3''' || 13.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1977}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1977–78 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 59 || {{sort|-|—}} || 35.7 || .499 || {{sort|-|—}} || .718 || 15.0 || .5 || .8 || 1.3 || 19.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1978}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1978–79 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"|82* || {{sort|-|—}} || style="background:#cfecec;"|41.3* || .540 || {{sort|-|—}} || .739 || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''17.6'''* || '''1.8''' || 1.0 || 1.5 || 24.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1979}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1979–80 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"|82* || {{sort|-|—}} || 38.3 || .502 || .000 || .719 || 14.5 || '''1.8''' || 1.0 || 1.3 || 25.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1980}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1980–81 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 80 || {{sort|-|—}} || 40.6 || .522 || .333 || .757 || style="background:#cfecec;"|14.8* || '''1.8''' || 1.0 || 1.9 || 27.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1981}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1981–82 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 81 ||''' 81''' || style="background:#cfecec;"|'''42.0'''* || .519 || .000 || .762 || style="background:#cfecec;"|14.7* || '''1.8''' || .9 || 1.5 || '''31.1'''
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|{{nbay|1982}}†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1982–83 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 78 || 78 || 37.5 || .501 || .000 || .761 || style="background:#cfecec;"|15.3* || 1.3 || '''1.1''' || 2.0|| 24.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1983}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1983–84 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 71 || 71 || 36.8 || .483 || .000 || .750 || style="background:#cfecec;"|13.4* || 1.4 || 1.0 || 1.5 || 22.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1984}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1984–85 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 79 || 79 || 37.4 || .469 || .000 || .815 || style="background:#cfecec;"|13.1* || 1.6 || .8 || 1.6 || 24.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1985}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1985–86 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 74 || 74 || 36.6 || .458 || .000 || .787 || 11.8 || 1.2 || .9 || 1.0 || 23.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1986}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1986–87 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]
| 73 || 70 || 34.1 || .454 || .000 || .824 || 11.3 || 1.6 || .8|| 1.3 || 24.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1987}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1987–88 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]
| 79 || 78 || 34.1 || .487 || .286 || .788 || 11.2 || 1.4 || .7 || .9 || 20.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1988}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1988–89 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta]]
| 81 || 80 || 35.5 || .491 || .000 || .789 || 11.8 || 1.4 || 1.0 || 1.2 || 20.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1989}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1989–90 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta]]
| 81 || '''81''' || 33.8 || .480 || .111 || .781 || 10.0 || 1.6 || .6 || 1.0 || 18.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1990}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1990–91 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta]]
| style="background:#cfecec;"|82* || 15 || 23.3 || .468 || .000 || '''.831''' || 8.1 || .8 || .4 || .9 || 10.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1991}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1991–92 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 82 || 77 || 30.6 || .474 || '''.375''' || .786 || 9.1 || 1.1 || .9 || .8 || 15.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1992}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1992–93 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 11 || 0 || 9.5 || .310 || {{sort|-|—}} || .774 || 4.2 || .6 || .1 || .7 || 4.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1993}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1993–94 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 55 || 0 || 11.2 || .440 || .000 || .769 || 4.1 || .6 || .2 || .3 || 5.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1994}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1994–95 San Antonio Spurs season|San Antonio]]
| 17 || 0 || 8.8 || .371 || .500 || .688 || 2.7 || .4 || .1 || .2 || 2.9
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 1,455 || 784 || 34.0 || .495 || .096 || .760 || 12.3 || 1.3 || .8 || 1.3 || 20.3
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan=2|All-Star
| 12 || 8 || 24.3 || .455 || {{sort|-|—}} || .583 || 9.8 || 1.3 || .8 || .6 || 11.2
{{s-end}}

===Playoffs===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1975 ABA Playoffs|1975]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1974–75 Utah Stars season|Utah (ABA)]]
| 6 || {{sort|-|—}} || 39.2 || '''.638''' || {{sort|-|—}} || .667 || 17.5 || 1.5 || .0 || 1.5 || 22.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1977 NBA playoffs|1977]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1976–77 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 12 || {{sort|-|—}} || 43.2 || .500 || {{sort|-|—}} || .692 || 16.9 || .6 || 1.1 || 1.8 || 18.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1979 NBA playoffs|1979]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1978–79 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 2 || {{sort|-|—}} || 39.0 || .528 || {{sort|-|—}} || .722 || '''20.5''' || 1.0 || .5 || '''4.0''' || 24.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1980 NBA playoffs|1980]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1979–80 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 7 || {{sort|-|—}} || 39.3 || .536 || .000 || .767 ||13.9 || 1.0 || .6 || 2.3 || 25.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1981 NBA playoffs|1981]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1980–81 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| '''21''' || {{sort|-|—}} ||'''45.5''' || .479 || .000 || .712 || 14.5 || 1.7 || .6 || 1.6 || '''26.8'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1982 NBA playoffs|1982]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1981–82 Houston Rockets season|Houston]]
| 3 || {{sort|-|—}} || 45.3 || .433 || {{sort|-|—}} || .933 ||17.0 || '''3.3''' || .7 || .7 || 24.0
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"|[[1983 NBA playoffs|1983]]†
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1982–83 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 13 || {{sort|-|—}} || 40.3 || .536 || .000 || .717 || 15.8 || 1.5 || '''1.5''' || 1.9 || 26.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1984 NBA playoffs|1984]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1983–84 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 5 || {{sort|-|—}} || 42.4 || .458 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''.969''' || 13.8 || 1.4 || .6 || 2.2 || 21.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1985 NBA playoffs|1985]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1984–85 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| 13 || '''13''' || 38.8 || .425 || .000 || .796 || 10.6 || 1.8 || 1.3 || 1.7 || 20.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1987 NBA playoffs|1987]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1986–87 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]
| 3 || 3 || 38.0 || .447 || {{sort|-|—}} || .952 || 12.7 || 1.7 || .0 || 1.0 || 20.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1988 NBA playoffs|1988]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1987–88 Washington Bullets season|Washington]]
| 5 || 5 || 39.6 || .462 || .000 || .825 || 11.2 || 1.4 || .6 || .8 || 18.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1989 NBA playoffs|1989]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1988–89 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta]]
| 5 || 5 || 39.4 || .500 || '''1.000''' || .784 || 12.0 || 1.8 || 1.4 || .8 || 21.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1991 NBA playoffs|1991]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1990–91 Atlanta Hawks season|Atlanta]]
| 5 || 0 || 16.8 || .200 || {{sort|-|—}} || .929 || 6.2 || .6 || .4 || .2 || 4.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 100 || 26 || 40.3 || .487 || .143 || .756 || 14.0 || 1.5 || .8 || 1.6 || 22.1
{{s-end}}

==See also==
{{div col}}
* [[List of NBA career scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career rebounding leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career blocks leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career turnovers leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career free throw scoring leaders]]
* [[List of NBA seasons played leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career games played leaders]]
* [[List of NBA career minutes played leaders]]
* [[List of NBA annual rebounding leaders]]
* [[List of NBA annual minutes leaders]]
* [[List of NBA single-season rebounding leaders]]
* [[List of NBA single-game rebounding leaders]]
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last=Heisler |first=Mark |title=Giants: The 25 Greatest Centers of All Time |year=2003 |publisher=Triumph Books |location=Chicago |isbn=1-57243-577-1}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{basketballstats|nba=77449|bbr=m/malonmo01}}
* [https://www.nba.com/news/history-nba-legend-moses-malone Malone's biography on the official NBA site]

{{Navboxes|list1=
{{Mr. Basketball USA}}
{{Philadelphia 76ers 1982–83 NBA champions}}
{{Houston Rockets}}
{{Philadelphia 76ers}}
{{2001 Basketball HOF}}
{{Basketball Hall of Fame centers}}
{{NBA50}}
{{NBA75}}
{{ABAATT}}
{{NBA Finals MVPs}}
{{NBA MVPs}}
{{NBA rebounding leaders}}
}}
{{Portal bar|Basketball|Biography|Sports|Virginia}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Malone, Moses}}
[[Category:1955 births]]
[[Category:2015 deaths]]
[[Category:ABA All-Stars]]
[[Category:American men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Atlanta Hawks players]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Virginia]]
[[Category:Buffalo Braves players]]
[[Category:Centers (basketball)]]
[[Category:Houston Rockets players]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Bucks players]]
[[Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:NBA All-Stars]]
[[Category:NBA broadcasters]]
[[Category:NBA Most Valuable Player Award winners]]
[[Category:NBA players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:New Orleans Jazz draft picks]]
[[Category:Parade High School All-Americans (boys' basketball)]]
[[Category:Philadelphia 76ers players]]
[[Category:San Antonio Spurs players]]
[[Category:Spirits of St. Louis players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Petersburg, Virginia]]
[[Category:Undrafted NBA players]]
[[Category:Utah Stars draft picks]]
[[Category:Utah Stars players]]
[[Category:Washington Bullets players]]