The Greatest Playoff Performers Basketball Has Ever Seen
Playoff basketball feels like a different sport. The pace shifts, the tension builds, and every play can swing a series. Some players lean into that pressure and make it their stage. This list is all about the ones who showed up big when it mattered more than ever.
15. Kevin Durant
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Kevin Durant earned back-to-back Finals MVPs in 2017 and 2018, averaging over 30 points while outshining LeBron James on basketball’s biggest stage. His playoff production isn’t limited to that run—he’s recorded 9 postseasons, averaging at least 28 points, a mark only Michael Jordan has surpassed.
14. Nikola Jokić
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No player made a title run look smoother than Nikola Jokić in 2023. With 10 triple-doubles in 20 games, he led Denver to its first championship and took home Finals MVP. By 2025, his career playoff box plus/minus sits second all-time, trailing only Michael Jordan’s legendary postseason mark.
13. Hakeem Olajuwon
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Back-to-back titles in the mid-90s were Hakeem Olajuwon’s masterclass in timing, skill, and poise. He dismantled league MVP David Robinson, then swept Shaquille O’Neal’s Magic to cap a legendary run. His ability to anchor both ends of the floor made Houston unstoppable at its peak, especially when the pressure mounted.
12. Jerry West
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Before the three-point line or the Finals MVP trophy existed, Jerry West was already shaping what clutch looked like. He averaged nearly 38 points in the 1969 Finals and became the only player to win Finals MVP in a losing effort. His playoff scoring feats still rival legends decades later.
11. Wilt Chamberlain
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Wilt Chamberlain’s postseason production remains unmatched in certain categories. He averaged at least 20 rebounds in all 13 of his playoff appearances, including a staggering 30.2 per game in 1966. His 1972 championship run with the Lakers earned him Finals MVP.
10. Kobe Bryant
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Over two decades, Kobe Bryant delivered in nearly every playoff moment the Lakers needed. He rose from sidekick during the early 2000s to leading Los Angeles to titles in 2009 and 2010, and earned Finals MVP both times. His passing in 2020 gave even deeper weight to those defining performances.
9. Stephen Curry
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With four championships and a 2022 Finals MVP, Stephen Curry has produced consistently in high-stakes games. He averages 26.8 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.3 rebounds in the playoffs. His movement and range created scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates across every postseason run he led.
8. Bill Russell
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From 1957 to 1969, Bill Russell led Boston to 11 titles. He averaged 24.9 rebounds and 16.2 points in the postseason. His defensive presence and rebounding dictated the pace and forced opponents to adjust. Even without recorded blocks, his impact on shot selection and rim protection was unmatched in his era.
7. Tim Duncan
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Tim Duncan won five championships between 1999 and 2014 and earned three Finals MVPs. In 251 playoff games, he averaged 20.6 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks. His postseason production stayed consistent across two decades.
6. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played in 237 playoff games and averaged 24.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks. He won titles with both the Bucks and Lakers while earning Finals MVPs in 1971 and 1985. His scoring came mostly from the post, but his rim protection and passing also shaped long playoff runs.
5. Larry Bird
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Larry Bird combined scoring, rebounding, and playmaking at a rare level during 12 playoff runs. He averaged over 24 points and 10 rebounds per game in the postseason and added six assists per night. His 1986 run remains one of the most complete in Finals history for a forward.
4. Magic Johnson
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Across 13 postseasons, Magic Johnson elevated the Lakers with consistent playmaking and size at point guard. He finished with career playoff averages of 19.5 points, 11.2 assists, and 7.7 rebounds. His ability to direct the offense in transition helped define the “Showtime” era and led to five championship banners.
3. Shaquille O’Neal
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Shaquille O’Neal’s postseason dominance was built on power and touch. During the Lakers’ three-peat, he won Finals MVP each time and averaged over 30 points in all three series. The 2000 run was his most dominant, with playoff averages that made double-teams feel ineffective and single coverage impossible.
2. LeBron James
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LeBron James holds more playoff records than any player in NBA history. He’s leading in total points, minutes, and games with 25-5-5 stat lines. His four championships and four Finals MVPs span three teams, with postseason averages of 28.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists.
1. Michael Jordan
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Michael Jordan went six-for-six in the NBA Finals while winning Finals MVP each time. He averaged 33.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in those series. As of 2025, he remains the all-time leader in playoff box plus/minus and has more 40-point playoff games than anyone in league history.