Most Playoff Games in NBA History

These NBA players delivered the goods in the postseason.

There’s a big difference between the regular season and playoffs in the NBA. Every possession is magnified in the postseason, and the pressure mounts each game. Some players rise to the challenge and win championships.

But it takes more than superstars to get rings in the NBA. The franchises that rack up titles have strong role players on the roster and household names.

These players played the most playoff games in NBA history and almost always delivered the goods. They have the glory to prove it.

30. Al Horford — 167 Playoff Games (Tie)

Michael Dwyer / AP Photo

Position: Power Forward

College: Florida

NBA career: 16 seasons (2007-present)

Teams: Atlanta Hawks (2007-16), Boston Celtics (2016-19, 2021-present), Philadelphia 76ers (2019-20), Oklahoma City Thunder (2020-21)

Height/weight: 6-foot-9, 240 pounds

Career highlights: Five-time NBA All-Star (2010, 2011, 2015. 2016. 2018), All-NBA Team (2011), NBA All-Defensive Team (2018), NBA All-Rookie Team (2008), Five-time NBA All-Star (2010, 2011, 2015. 2016. 2018), All-NBA Team (2011), NBA All-Defensive Team (2018), NBA All-Rookie Team (2008)

Bottom line: Al Horford has been a steadying presence for NBA teams over the last 20 years. Horford, the son of former NBA forward Tito Horford, has been in the postseason with every team he’s played on except the one season he spent with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2020-21.

One thing still missing for Horford? An NBA championship.

30. Sam Perkins — 167 Playoff Games (Tie)

Sam Perkins, right, is one of the few players on this list to never win an NBA title. John Swart / AP Photo

Position: Forward/center

College: North Carolina

NBA career: 17 seasons (1984-2001)

Teams: Dallas Mavericks (1984-90), Los Angeles Lakers (1990-93), Seattle SuperSonics (1993-98), Indiana Pacers (1998-2001)

Height/weight: 6-foot-9, 235 pounds

Career highlights: NBA All-Rookie Team (1985)

Bottom line: Sam Perkins had game. Part of the legendary NCAA championship team at North Carolina in 1982 alongside James Worthy and Michael Jordan, “Big Smooth” was snakebit when it came to winning a title in the NBA.

Perkins played in the NBA for 17 seasons and and made it to the playoffs 15 times, averaging double figures in points in 12 postseasons.

He made the NBA Finals three times, with three different teams, but lost each time.

29. Michael Cooper — 168 Playoff Games

Michael Cooper won five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. Lennox McLendon / AP Photo

Position: Shooting guard

College: New Mexico

NBA career: 12 seasons (1978-90)

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers

Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 175 pounds

Career highlights: Five-time NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988), NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1987), eight-time All-NBA Defensive Team (1981-88)

Bottom line: Michael Cooper found the perfect fit with the Los Angeles Lakers after an All-American career at the University of New Mexico.

He carved out a role as a defensive stopper on some of the greatest teams in NBA history, making eight All-NBA Defensive Teams and being named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.

He also could score when needed and was on the receiving end of many Magic Johnson alley-oop passes during the Showtime era, making the Coop-a-Loop world-famous.

26. Danny Green — 169 Playoff Games (Tie)

Ron Schwane / AP Photo

Position: Shooting guard/small forward

College: North Carolina

NBA career: 14 seasons (2009-present)

Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-10, 2023-present), San Antonio Spurs (2010-18), Toronto Raptors (2018-19), Los Angeles Lakers (2019-20), Philadelphia 76ers (2020-22), Memphis Grizzlies (2022-23), Cleveland Cavaliers (2023-present)

Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 215 pounds

Career highlights: Three-time NBA champion (2014, 2019, 2020), NBA All-Defensive Team (2017)

Bottom line: Danny Green is one of the biggest winners in basketball history over the last 20 years, first winning an NCAA championship at North Carolina before embarking on a 14-year NBA career that has seen him win three NBA championships with three different teams.

Green has never been a passive bystander on those championships and was a key player for the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, Toronto Raptors in 2019 and the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

26. Kevin McHale — 169 Playoff Games (Tie)

Kevin McHale was named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary Team. Dave Tenenbaum / AP Photo

Position: Power forward

College: Minnesota

NBA career: 13 seasons (1980-93)

Teams: Boston Celtics

Height/weight: 6-foot-10, 210 pounds

Career highlights: Three-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986), seven-time NBA All-Star (1984, 1986-91), All-NBA (1987), six-time All-NBA Defensive Team (1983, 1986-90), two-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year (1984, 1985), NBA All-Rookie Team (1981), NBA 50th Anniversary Team

Bottom line: Kevin McHale’s moves in the post were so hard to stop that opponents called guarding him “The Torture Chamber.”

He was a key piece on three NBA championship teams for the Boston Celtics in the 1980s.

McHale also was one of the NBA’s greatest defensive players during his era, making the All-NBA Defensive Team six times.

26. Dennis Rodman — 169 Playoff Games (Tie)

Dennis Rodman, left, was one of the greatest defensive players and rebounders in NBA history. Tim Johnson / AP Photo

Position: Power forward

College: Southeastern Oklahoma State

NBA career: 14 seasons (1986-2000)

Teams: Detroit Pistons (1986-93), San Antonio Spurs (1993-95), Chicago Bulls (1995-98), Los Angeles Lakers (1999), Dallas Mavericks (2000)

Height/weight: 6-foot-7, 228 pounds

Career highlights: Five-time NBA champion (1989, 1990, 1996-98), two-time NBA All-Star (1990, 1992), two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1990, 1991), two-time All-NBA (1992, 1995), eight-time NBA All-Defensive Team (1989-96)

Bottom line: Dennis Rodman is one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history and one of the greatest rebounders of all time as well.

That success extended to the postseason, where he first made his mark with the Detroit Pistons on the infamous “Bad Boys” teams that won back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990.

Rodman one-upped that by joining the Bulls and winning three straight NBA titles from 1996 to 1998.

24. Horace Grant — 170 Playoff Games (Tie)

Horace Grant, right, was drafted No. 10 overall by the Chicago Bulls in 1987. Jonathan Kirn / AP Photo

Position: Power forward

College: Clemson

NBA career: 15 seasons (1987-2002)

Teams: Chicago Bulls (1987-94), Orlando Magic (1994-99, 2001-02), Seattle SuperSonics (1999-2000), Los Angeles Lakers (2000-01, 2003-04), Orlando Magic (2001-02)

Height/weight: 6-foot-10, 215 pounds

Career highlights: Four-time NBA champion (1991-93, 2001), NBA All-Star (1994), four-time NBA All-Defensive Team (1993-96)

Bottom line: One of the greatest NBA drafts of all time for any single franchise came in 1987 when the Chicago Bulls selected Horace Grant and traded for draft pick Scottie Pippen — two players who were cornerstones for their dynasty in the 1990s.

Grant won three titles with the Bulls in the early 1990s, had playoff success with the Orlando Magic and won another title with the Lakers in 2001.

24. Paul Pierce — 170 Playoff Games (Tie)

Paul Pierce should have been nominated for an Emmy for Best Actor for his histrionics in the 2008 NBA Finals. Winslow Townson / AP Photo

Position: Small forward

College: Kansas

NBA career: 19 NBA career (1998-2017)

Teams: Boston Celtics (1998-2013), Brooklyn Nets (2013-14), Washington Wizards (2014-15), Los Angeles Clippers (2015-17)

Height/weight: 6-foot-7, 235 pounds

Career highlights: NBA champion (2008), NBA Finals MVP (2008), 10-time NBA All-Star (2002-06), four-time All-NBA (2002, 2003, 2008, 2009), NBA All-Rookie Team (1999)

Bottom line: Paul Pierce had one of the best nicknames in NBA history — “The Truth.” And no one in the NBA had more of a green light than him during his first decade in the league.

The biggest reason for that was the Celtics didn’t surround Pierce with very much talent early in his career. When they did, he thrived.

Pierce teamed with Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett to win the 2008 NBA title, bringing home Finals MVP honors.

23. Ray Allen — 171 Playoff Games

Ray Allen was one of the greatest shooters to ever step on a basketball court. Tony Dejak / AP Photo

Position: Shooting guard

College: Connecticut

NBA career: 18 seasons (1996-2014)

Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1996-2003), Seattle SuperSonics (2003-07), Boston Celtics (2007-12), Miami Heat (2012-14)

Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 205 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time NBA champion (2008, 2013), 10-time NBA All-Star (2000-02, 2004-09, 2011), two-time All-NBA (2005, 2011), NBA All-Rookie Team (1997)

Bottom line: Ray Allen’s jump shot was truly a work of art and made him one of the greatest 3-point shooters in NBA history.

The reason Allen wound up with so many misses was because he had the absolute green light to put up shots on any team he was on.

His corner 3-pointer against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals is one of the most clutch shots in NBA history.

22. John Havlicek — 172 Playoff Games

John Havlicek, with ball, was one of the greatest winners in the history of North American professional sports. AP Photo

Position: Guard/forward

College: Ohio State

NBA career: 16 seasons (1962-78)

Teams: Boston Celtics

Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 203 pounds

Career highlights: Eight-time NBA champion (1963-1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976), NBA Finals MVP (1974), 13-time NBA All-Star (1966-78), 11-time All-NBA (1964, 1966, 1968-76), NBA All-Rookie Team (1963), NBA 50th Anniversary Team

Bottom line: John Havlicek was the first true swingman in NBA history — a player who was indistinguishable from a guard or a forward because he did everything on the floor for both positions.

His eight NBA titles trail only teammates Bill Russell and Sam Jones for the most in league history, and he also won an NCAA title playing for Ohio State in 1960.

19. Andre Iguodala — 166 Playoff Games (Tie)

Andre Iguodala shocked the world when he was named NBA Finals MVP in 2015. Bob Donnan / AP Photo

Position: Small forward/shooting guard

College: Arizona

NBA career: 19 seasons (2004-present)

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (2004-12), Denver Nuggets (2012-13), Golden State Warriors (2013-19, 2021-present), Miami Heat (2020-21)

Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 215 pounds

Career highlights: Four-time NBA champion (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022), NBA Finals MVP (2015), NBA All-Star (2012), two-time NBA All-Defensive Team (20111, 2014), NBA All-Rookie Team (2005)

Bottom line: Andre Iguodala has played almost two decades in the NBA, and when his career is over, it’ll be his play in the postseason that people point to first as the biggest part of his legacy.

Iguodala caught lightning in a bottle with the Golden State Warriors, where he has won four NBA titles and played in the NBA Finals six times, including winning NBA Finals MVP in 2015.

Iguodala made it back to the NBA Finals in 2020 with the Miami Heat.

19. Rasheed Wallace — 177 Playoff Games (Tie)

Rasheed Wallace, right, was a force on the basketball court. Duane Burleson / AP Photo

Position: Power forward

College: North Carolina

NBA career: 18 seasons (1995-2013)

Teams: Washington Bullets (1995-96), Portland Trail Blazers (1996-2004), Atlanta Hawks (2004), Detroit Pistons (2004-09), Boston Celtics (2009-10), New York Knicks (2012-13)

Height/weight: 6-foot-10, 230 pounds

Career highlights: NBA champion (2004), four-time NBA All-Star (2000, 2001, 2006, 2008), NBA All-Rookie Team (1996)

Bottom line: Rasheed Wallace might be a surprising name to see on this list, but he played in 14 postseasons and made the NBA Finals twice, winning once with the Detroit Pistons in 2004.

Wallace set the NBA record for technical fouls in a single season with 41 in 2000-01, but he was much more than a hothead with a quick fuse.

He had an all-around game and great basketball IQ and became something of an elder statesman for teams in the second half of his career.

19. Dwyane Wade — 177 Playoff Games (Tie)

Dwyane Wade was named NBA Finals MVP in 2006. Eric Gay / AP Photo

Position: Shooting guard

College: Marquette

NBA career: 15 seasons (2003-18)

Teams: Miami Heat (2003-16, 2018-19), Chicago Bulls (2016-17), Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-18)

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 224 pounds

Career highlights: Three-time NBA champion (2006, 2012, 2013), NBA Finals MVP (2006), 13-time NBA All-Star (2005-16, 2019), eight-time All-NBA (2005-07, 2009-13)

Bottom line: Dwyane Wade is one of the greatest NBA players of all time, making the All-Star team 13 times in 15 seasons and winning three NBA titles with the Miami Heat.

Wade won NBA Finals MVP in 2006 teamed with Shaquille O’Neal, then paired up with LeBron James and Chris Bosh to win two more NBA titles in 2012 and 2013.

18. Michael Jordan — 179 Playoff Games

Michael Jordan commissioned a documentary called “The Last Dance” that was simply wonderful. John Swart / AP Photo

Position: Shooting guard

College: North Carolina

NBA career: 14 seasons (1984-93, 1995-98, 2001-03)

Teams: Chicago Bulls (1984-1993, 1995-1998), Washington Wizards (2001-2003)

Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 210 pounds

Career highlights: Six-time NBA champion (1991-93, 1996-98), six-time NBA Finals MVP (1991-93, 1996-98), five-time NBA MVP (1988, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998), 14-time NBA All-Star (1985-93, 1996-98, 2002, 2003), three-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (1988, 1996, 1998), 11-time All-NBA (1985, 1987-93, 1996-98), NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1988), nine-time All-NBA Defensive Team (1988-93, 1996-98), NBA Rookie of the Year (1985)

Bottom line: Michael Jordan was a scoring machine his entire career, but in the first six NBA career of his career, almost every offensive possession for the Chicago Bulls ran through His Airness.

When Jordan started shooting less and getting his teammates involved more, the Bulls were unstoppable and won six NBA titles.

Jordan’s playoff games total was impacted somewhat by missing one entire postseason in his prime to play professional baseball.

17. Dennis Johnson — 180 Playoff Games

Dennis Johnson died of a heart attack in 2007. Tim Johnson / AP Photo

Position: Guard

College: Pepperdine

NBA career: 14 seasons (1976-90)

Teams: Seattle SuperSonics (1976-80), Phoenix Suns (1980-83), Boston Celtics (1983-90)

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 185 pounds

Career highlights: Three-time NBA champion (1979, 1984, 1986), five-time NBA All-Star (1979-82, 1985), two-time All-NBA (1980, 1981), nine-time All-NBA Defensive Team (1979-87)

Bottom line: Dennis Johnson was known as a troublemaker during his time in college and the early part of his NBA career — but he was also known as a winner.

Johnson won an NBA championship with the Phoenix Suns in 1979 and then two more with the Boston Celtics in the mid-1980s as a reliable veteran.

Johnson, who died of a heart attack in 2007, was also one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history.

16. John Stockton — 182 Playoff Games

John Stockton is the NBA’s all-time leader in assists. Gary Stewart / AP Photo

Position: Point guard

College: Gonzaga

NBA career: 19 seasons (1984-2003)

Teams: Utah Jazz

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 170 pounds

Career highlights: 10-time NBA All-Star (1989-97, 2000), NBA All-Star Game MVP (1993), 11-time All-NBA (1988-97, 1999), five-time All-NBA Defensive Team (1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997), NBA 50th Anniversary Team

Bottom line: John Stockton played his entire NBA career with the Utah Jazz, teaming with power forward Karl Malone to lead the team to the only two NBA Finals appearances in franchise history.

Stockton owns two NBA records by large margins that could never be broken — career assists (15,806) and steals (3,265).

He also was a member of the famed 1992 U.S. Olympic Dream Team.

15. Byron Scott — 183 Playoff Games

Byron Scott missed the NBA playoffs just once in 14 seasons. Craig Fujii / AP Photo

Position: Shooting guard

College: Arizona State

NBA career: 14 seasons (1983-97)

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1983-93, 1996-97), Indiana Pacers (1993-95), Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96)

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 205 pounds

Career highlights: Three-time NBA champion (1985, 1987, 1988), NBA All-Rookie Team (1984)

Bottom line: Byron Scott won three NBA titles in his first five seasons in the league, all with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He only missed the playoffs once in 14 seasons, during his one season with the Vancouver Grizzlies in 1995-96.

Scott was also an NBA head coach for 15 seasons, making the NBA Finals in two of his first three seasons with the New Jersey Nets.

14. Robert Parish — 184 Playoff Games

The Boston Celtics got Robert Parish in one of the all-time draft heists in NBA history. Bill Polo / AP Photo

Position: Power forward

College: Centenary

NBA career: 21 seasons (1976-97)

Teams: Golden State Warriors (1976-80), Boston Celtics (1980-94), Charlotte Hornets (1994-96), Chicago Bulls (1996-97)

Height/weight: 7-foot-1, 230 pounds

Career highlights: Four-time NBA champion (1981, 1984, 1986, 1997), nine-time NBA All-Star (1981-87, 1990, 1991), two-time All-NBA (1982, 1989), NBA 50th Anniversary Team

Bottom line: Robert Parish’s 1,611 career games are the most in NBA history, and he was also at the center of one of the greatest trades in NBA history.

Celtics president Red Auerbach swapped his No. 1 overall pick in 1980 for Parish and the No. 3 overall pick. The Warriors took all-time draft bust Joe Barry Carroll No. 1, and the Celtics took Hall of Famer Kevin McHale at No. 3.

Parish, also known “The Chief,” and McHale and company in Boston then helped the Celtics win three NBA titles in the 1980s.

13. Magic Johnson — 190 Playoff Games

Magic Johnson could do anything with a basketball. Reed Saxon / AP Photo

Position: Point guard

College: Michigan State

NBA career: 13 seasons (1978-91, 1996)

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers

Height/weight: 6-foot-9, 220 pounds

Career highlights: Five-time NBA champion (1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988), three-time NBA Finals MVP (1980, 1982, 1987), three-time NBA MVP (1987, 1989, 1990), 12-time NBA All-Star (1980, 1982-92), two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (1990, 1992), 10-time All-NBA (1982-91), NBA All-Rookie Team (1980), NBA 50th Anniversary Team

Bottom line: Magic Johnson is many things.

The greatest point guard of all time. One of the most exciting, dynamic players in NBA history. And a global sports icon.

Magic’s rivalry with Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird, which started in the 1979 NCAA championship game between Michigan State and Indiana State put the NBA on the path to becoming the global behemoth it is today, generating approximately $8 billion in revenue annually.

11. Karl Malone — 193 Playoff Games (Tied)

Karl Malone, left, never won an NBA title. Morry Gash / AP Photo

Position: Power forward

College: Louisiana Tech

NBA career: 19 seasons (1985-2004)

Teams: Utah Jazz (1985-2003), Los Angeles Lakers (2003-04)

Height/weight: 6-foot-9, 250 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time NBA MVP (1997, 1999), 14-time NBA All-Star (1988-98, 2000-02), two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (1989, 1993), 14-time All-NBA (1988-2001), four-time All-NBA Defensive Team (1988, 1997-99), NBA All-Rookie Team (1986)

Bottom line: Karl Malone had the great luck of spending almost his entire career playing alongside point guard John Stockton, a player who could create offense for other players in a variety of ways.

Stockton was a perfect complement to the hard-running Malone, who was almost impossible to stop with a head of steam.

But Malone, like Stockton, never won an NBA title, losing to the Chicago Bulls in back-to-back seasons in 1997 and 1998.

11. Danny Ainge — 193 Playoff Games (Tied)

Danny Ainge played three seasons in the majors before deciding to switch sports and play in the NBA. Elise Amendola / AP Photo

Position: Shooting guard

College: BYU

NBA career: 14 seasons (1981-95)

Teams: Boston Celtics (1981-89), Sacramento Kings (1989-90), Portland Trail Blazers (1990-92), Phoenix Suns (1992-95)

Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 190 pounds

Career highlights: Two-time NBA champion (1984, 1986), NBA All-Star (1988)

Bottom line: No player in NBA history had the ability to get underneath the skin of his opponents like Danny Ainge.

The shooting guard won two NBA titles with the Boston Celtics and played in the NBA Finals two more times with the Portland Trail Blazers and Phoenix Suns.

Ainge actually played three years of Major League Baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays before deciding to switch sports and play in the NBA.

10. Scottie Pippen — 208 Playoff Games

Scottie Pippen was the NBA’s equivalent of Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman. John Swart / AP Photo

Position: Small forward

College: Central Arkansas

NBA career: 17 seasons (1987-2004)

Teams: Chicago Bulls (1987-98, 2003-04), Houston Rockets (1998-99), Portland Trail Blazers (1999-2003)

Height/weight: 6-foot-8, 228 pounds

Career highlights: Six-time NBA champion (1991-93, 1996-98)

Bottom line: The perfect complement to Michael Jordan during the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990s, Scottie Pippen was also one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history.

Pippen and Jordan’s Batman and Robin routine produced six championships in nine full NBA seasons together.

The run cemented both players as two of the greatest of all time.

9. Shaquille O’Neal — 216 Playoff Games

Why was Shaquille O’Neal guarding Hakeem Olajuwon out at the three-point line? Elaine Thompson / AP Photo

Position: Center

College: LSU

NBA career: 19 seasons (1992-2011)

Teams: Orlando Magic (1992-96), Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004), Miami Heat (2004-08), Phoenix Suns (2008-09), Cleveland Cavaliers (2009-10), Boston Celtics (2010-11)

Height/weight: 7-foot-1, 325 pounds

Career highlights: Four-time NBA champion (2000-02, 2006), three-time NBA Finals MVP (2000-02), NBA Most Valuable Player (2000), 15-time NBA All-Star (1993-98, 2000-07, 2009), three-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (2000, 2004, 2009), 14-time All-NBA (1994-2006, 2009), three-time All-NBA Defensive Team (2000, 2001, 2003), NBA Rookie of the Year (1993), NBA 50th Anniversary Team

Bottom line: Shaquille O’Neal was one of the most dominant players in NBA history.

The behemoth center teamed up with Kobe Bryant to win three consecutive NBA titles from 2000 to 2002 and got another title with Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat in 2006.

O’Neal captured one NBA MVP trophy in his career, in 2000, and also won three consecutive NBA Finals MVP trophies.

8. Manu Ginobili — 218 Playoff Games

Manu Ginobili didn’t play in the NBA until he was 25 years old. David J. Phillip / AP Photo

Position: Shooting guard

College: None

NBA career: 16 seasons (2002-18)

Teams: San Antonio Spurs

Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 205 pounds

Career highlights: Four-time NBA champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), two-time NBA All-Star (2005, 2011), two-time All-NBA (2008, 2011), NBA Sixth Man of the Year (2008), NBA All-Rookie Team (2003)

Bottom line: Manu Ginobili’s career playoff games total would be much higher had he not played the first seven seasons of his career overseas.

Ginobili was a sensation once he joined the NBA in 2002, at 25 years old, winning three NBA titles in his first five seasons with the San Antonio Spurs.

7. Kobe Bryant — 220 Playoff Games

Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter accident on Jan. 26, 2020. Michael Conroy / AP Photo

Position: Shooting guard

College: None

NBA career: 20 seasons (1996-2016)

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers

Height/weight: 6-foot-6, 212 pounds

Career highlights: Five-time NBA champion (2000-02, 2009, 2010), two-time NBA Finals MVP 2009, 2010), NBA MVP (2008), 18-time NBA All-Star (1998, 2000-16), four-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (2002, 2007, 2009, 2011), 15-time All-NBA (1999-2013), 12-time NBA All-Defensive Team (2000-04, 2006-12)

Bottom line: The late Kobe Bryant’s legacy was defined by him being a winner. He won five NBA titles in 20 seasons. He also missed the playoffs five times.

In the final game of his career, Bryant scored 60 points on 22-of-50 shooting in a 101-96 win over the Utah Jazz, including 10-of-12 from the free-throw line and 6-of-21 from beyond the three-point arc.

6. Tony Parker — 226 Playoff Games

Tony Parker started playing professional basketball in France when he was 17 years old. Matt York / AP Photo

Position: Point guard

College: None

NBA career: 18 seasons (2001-19)

Teams: San Antonio Spurs (2001-18), Charlotte Hornets (2018-19)

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 185 pounds

Career highlights: Four-time NBA champion (2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), NBA Finals MVP (2007), six-time NBA All-Star (2006, 2007, 2009, 2012-14), four-time All-NBA (2009, 2012-14), NBA All-Rookie Team (2002)

Bottom line: Tony Parker played two seasons of professional basketball in his native France before joining the San Antonio Spurs in 2001 at just 19 years old.

Parker never missed a postseason in 17 seasons with the Spurs and won four NBA championships, earning NBA Finals MVP in 2007.

Parker was also married to the Spurs’ greatest celebrity fan of all time, actress Evan Longoria, from 2007 to 2010.

5. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — 237 Playoff Games

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won his first NBA title with the Milwaukee Bucks. AP Photo

Position: Center

College: UCLA

NBA career: 20 seasons (1969-1989)

Teams: Milwaukee Bucks (1969-1975), Los Angeles Lakers (1975-1989)

Height/weight: 7-foot-2, 225 pounds

Career highlights: Six-time NBA champion (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988), two-time NBA Finals MVP (1971, 1985), six-time NBA MVP (1971, 1972, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1980), 19-time NBA All-Star (1970-77, 1979-89), 15-time All-NBA (1970-74, 1976-81, 1983-86), 11-time All-NBA Defensive Team (1970, 1971, 1974-81, 1984), NBA Rookie of the Year (1970), NBA 50th Anniversary Team

Bottom line: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar made the playoffs in 18 out of his 20 seasons.

The two seasons he missed were inexplicably in his prime and in back-to-back years — his last season with the Milwaukee Bucks and first season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA titles to go with three NCAA championships at UCLA and is the NBA’s No.2 career leading scorer with 38,387 points.

4. Robert Horry — 244 Playoff Games

Robert Horry hit a lot of big shots in his career. Rick Bowmer / AP Photo

Position: Forward

College: Alabama

NBA career: 16 seasons (1992-2008)

Teams: Houston Rockets (1992-96), Phoenix Suns (1996-97), Los Angeles Lakers (1997-2003), San Antonio Spurs (2003-08)

Height/weight: 6-foot-9, 240 pounds

Career highlights: Seven-time NBA champion (1994, 1995, 2000-02, 2005, 2007), All-NBA Rookie Team (1993)

Bottom line: No player in NBA history — not a single one — has built their reputation on the ability to hit clutch shots more than Robert Horry, who won seven NBA titles with three different teams in 16 seasons.

Horry first established himself as “Big Shot Rob” on back-to-back title teams with the Rockets, three consecutive titles with the Lakers and two more titles, just for good measure, to close out his career with the Spurs.

3. Tim Duncan — 251 Playoff Games

Tim Duncan’s nickname was “The Big Fundamental,” and it was very fitting. Eric Gay / AP Photo

Position: Forward/center

College: Wake Forest

NBA career: 19 seasons (1997-2016)

Teams: San Antonio Spurs

Height/weight: 6-foot-11, 250 pounds

Career highlights: Five-time NBA champion (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014), three-time NBA FInals MVP (1999, 2003, 2005), two-time NBA MVP (2002, 2003), 15-time NBA All-Star (1998, 2000-11, 2013, 2015), 15-time All-NBA (1998-2009, 2013), 15-time NBA All-Defensive Team (1998-2010, 2013, 2015), NBA Rookie of the Year (1998)

Bottom line: Arguably the greatest power forward in NBA history, Tim Duncan won five NBA titles with the Spurs in his 19-year career.

Duncan’s offensive workload was made much easier to bear with the addition of guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, and Duncan’s 50.6 career field-goal percentage speaks to his efficiency.

That the Spurs never missed the playoffs once with Duncan speaks to his greatness.

2. Derek Fisher — 259 Playoff Games

Derek Fisher won five NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. Winslow Townson / AP Photo

Position: Point guard

College: Central Arkansas

NBA career: 18 seasons (1996-2014)

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1996-2004, 2007-12), Golden State Warriors (2004-06), Utah Jazz (2006-07), Oklahoma City Thunder (2012, 2013-14), Dallas Mavericks (2012)

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 200 pounds

Career highlights: Five-time NBA champion (2000-02, 2009, 2010)

Bottom line: The term “glue guy” seems to have been in part defined by Derek Fisher’s 18-year NBA career, one in which he played in the NBA Finals eight times and won five championships.

Fisher’s career numbers are not that impressive — 8.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists. Especially for a point guard.

But he found his way onto winning teams and stuck, which speaks to a value that goes beyond the statistical columns.

1. LeBron James — 282 Playoff Games

LeBron James could be the NBA’s career leader in playoff games for a long time. Mark J. Terrill / AP Photo

Position: Guard/forward

College: None

NBA career: 20 seasons (2003-present)

Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10, 2014-18), Miami Heat (2010-14), Los Angeles Lakers (2018-present)

Height/weight: 6-foot-9, 250 pounds

Career highlights: Four-time NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020), four-time NBA MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020), four-time NBA Finals MVP (2012, 2013, 2016, 2020), 19-time NBA All-Star (2005-23), three-time NBA All-Star Game MVP (2006, 2008, 2018), 19-time All-NBA Team (2005-23), six-time NBA All-Defensive Team (2009-14), NBA Rookie of the Year (2004)

Bottom line: After winning the NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 — his 17th season in the league — we have all wondered how long LeBron James will continue his epic career. After breaking the NBA’s career scoring record of 2023, he still doesn’t seem like he’s through playing.

James shows exactly zero signs of slowing down, so this particular record for most playoff games in NBA history is one he could hold for time immemorial.

In total, James’ career playoff games amount to over extra seasons of games, according to an 82-game regular-season schedule. That’s a lot of extra greatness basketball fans have got to witness.