During its nearly 80 years of existence, the NBA has had many great players who competed every night to take their teams to the promised land. While some only shined during the regular season, others took things to the next level in the postseason.
Legends of the game have recorded some of the best performances in the NBA playoffs, making it difficult to pick just 10 of them. We'll try to find the best NBA playoff performances of all time in this list, which will include the likes of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and others.
These are just three names who had the greatest postseason performances in the NBA, but alongside them, NBA fans enjoyed the best postseason outings by a player who led their teams to contend for things that matter.
Stephen Curry – Game 7 2023, 1st round
The latest to join this list, Stephen Curry, had an impressive performance against the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
The Golden State Warriors struggled a lot during the regular season, as they failed to win road games consistently. This trend continued through the first round of the 2023 playoffs until Curry said “no more” and sent the Kings home with a 50-point, 8-rebound, 6-assist performance to advance to the West Semifinals.
Kobe Bryant – Game 6 2006, 1st round
Kobe Bryant had a successful NBA career, winning five NBA championships in seven trips to the Finals. During those years, Kobe was always competing at the highest level, trying to take the Los Angeles Lakers to the promised land.
During the post-Shaquille O'Neal years, Bryant struggled to lead the Lakers to deep playoff runs. However, he had big performances, including the infamous Game 6 against the Phoenix Suns in the 2006 first round.
Bryant scored 50 points that night, and even though the Lakers couldn't pull out the win, the Black Mamba reminded everyone that he was a bad guy and it was only a matter of time before he won again.
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Game 6, 2021 NBA Finals
Giannis Antetokounmpo was one of the most criticized players in the NBA before he won his first championship in 2021.
The Milwaukee Bucks star received all the individual accolades possible but not the championship, which often put him under fire, as fans and members of the media criticized his shortcomings.
It wasn't until 2021 that Giannis finally made the move and won the Bucks' first title in 50 years. In the series-clinching game, Antetokounmpo had an impressive showing, dropping 50 points, grabbing 14 rebounds and grabbing five blocks against the Phoenix Suns, who started the series with an 0-2 lead.
LeBron James – Game 6 2012, Eastern Conference Finals
LeBron James had some of the best NBA playoff games of all time, and the first entry on this list happens to be very popular to this day. It's no secret that James had a personal duel with the Boston Celtics after many years of trying to beat them with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Back in 2012, James had the opportunity to send the C's home and advance to the NBA Finals for the second straight season.
However, the Miami Heat lost 3-2, with many people thinking they finished the tournament.
James had different plans and was on a mission during Game 6 of that series. He walked out on his old foe, dropping 45 points to go with 15 rebounds, forcing a seventh game. After that overall win, the Celtics didn't have much to do against the Heat, who took over, went to the Finals and won the Heats' first two championships.
Michael Jordan – Game 3, 1992 First Round
When the first round of the playoffs consisted of a five-game series, Michael Jordan was already putting up amazing numbers. The Chicago Bulls legend is having arguably one of his best NBA playoff performances ever, and this game was further proof of that.
After beating the Miami Heat easily in the first two games of that series, Jordan had to do more to bring the Floridians home. As we all know, that wasn't a problem for No. 23, who donned his cape and bowed out to the Heat, dropping 56 points to book a spot in the second round of the postseason. Jordan ended up winning his second of six NBA championships that year, recording memorable games in the process.
Magic Johnson – Game 6, 1980 NBA Finals
Magic Johnson found himself in a complicated situation when he entered the NBA. He was expected to do wonders for the Los Angeles Lakers, but even the most optimistic fans couldn't predict what Magic would do in the 1980 NBA Finals.
As a rookie, Johnson had to step in for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The then-rookie guard played center for Kareem, which seemingly hurt the Lakers. However, he took care of things and competed at the highest level, scoring 42 points, grabbing 15 rebounds and dishing out seven assists to lead the Lakers to the championship.
Isiah Thomas – Game 6, 1988 NBA Finals
Eight years after the Magic's stellar performance against the 76ers, the legendary point guard had to watch one of his biggest rivals take charge for one game, unsuccessfully trying to push his team to a much-needed win.
Isiah Thomas played his heart out during Game 6 of the 1988 NBA Finals. With the Pistons leading the series 3-2, Thomas was ready to finish the job and send the Lakers home. Despite his heroics, scoring 25 points in the third quarter of that game, the Pistons were unable to get past the Lakers and ultimately lost the game. Thomas finished that matchup with 43 points, eight assists and an ankle injury, ultimately opening the door for the Lakers to win the championship in Game 7.
LeBron James, Kyrie Irving – Game 5, 2016 NBA Finals
It's already rare to see one player go off and ignite a competition, but seeing two go off and record amazing numbers in the same game is even more unique. This is what happened during the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. After their 3-1 loss in the Finals, the Cavaliers had to work extra hard to extend the series.
The team's best players, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, appeared and scored 41 points each, sending a clear message to the Warriors. This streak wasn't over as long as these two were on the court, and what followed was confirmation. James and Irving carried the team to Game 7, where they once again beat the Warriors to make history. This remains one of the most memorable Finals of all time, but it's necessary to say that it all started with that incredible Game 5 from James and Irving.
LeBron James – Game 5 2007, Eastern Conference Finals
Once again LeBron James appears on this list. The four-time NBA champion was accustomed to being a one-man show in Cleveland, which often forced him to face competition in a one-man assignment, sometimes losing to better, deeper teams and sometimes destroying them single-handedly.
In 2007, he was facing a Detroit Pistons team that was poised to get back to the NBA Finals. However, the King had different plans and with a brilliant Game 5 he dismantled the Pistons on their way to the Finals. James finished that game with 48 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. He scored 25 straight points to beat the Pistons, showing he's ready to take the next step with the Cavaliers.
Michael Jordan – Game 2, First Round 1986
Speaking of playoff games, this is the prime example of that. In 1986, Michael Jordan was still trying to find his place in the NBA. The young Chicago Bulls player was a star in the making, and when the playoffs arrived, he alerted everyone. Jordan had the difficult task of beating the mighty Boston Celtics. However, this did not stop the future six-time champion.
In Game 2 of that series, Jordan took off, dropping 63 points on the legendary franchise, driving defenders crazy and making Larry Bird and company crazy. Work extra hard to stop MJ. In one of the best NBA playoff performances ever, Bird called Jordan “a god disguised as Michael Jordan.” That game was stunning for Jordan, who sent a major warning to the NBA about what was coming for them.
