The NBA’s 20 Best Individual Playoff Performances of the 2010s
In case you forgot, there were some unforgettable performances.
It’s been a wild first week of Bubble Playoff action. Inspired by the truly bonkers statlines we’ve seen from Luka Doncic, Donovan Mitchell, and more so far in the first round of the 2020 NBA playoffs, I decided to round up the 20 best individual playoff performances of the 2010s.
After pouring through tons of box scores on the always essential Basketball Reference, I landed on the 20 best single-game performances from the past 10 seasons.
But first, a few ground rules:
- Only one entry per player. Originally, I was going to do a top-50 and limit each player to one performance per SEASON, but that proved to be too massive of a project, so I will list some of those honorable mentions under people like LeBron and KD who had lots of options to choose from.
- Barring extraordinary circumstances (there were a few), I tried to limit it to winning performances.
- Context matters. Game 7 of the Finals matters more than game two of a first-round sweep. And certain opponents are more daunting to go against than others.
- These are NOT RANKED. They will be listed roughly in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.
Onto the list!
1. Kobe Bryant — Game 1, 2010 West Finals
In the march to his fifth and final title, Kobe turned in his best work in the conference finals against Phoenix, which also happened to be the last stand for the Steve Nash-led Suns. Kobe went for 40–5–5 in game one to set the tone for the series.
2. Chris Paul — Game 1, 2011 West First Round
Yes, the Hornets didn’t even win this first-round series, but CP3 showing ultimate control in a game 1 win over the reigning champion Lakers (this was before the implosion vs the Mavs) was arguably the peak of the Point God’s powers. 33–7–14–4 as David West did not play. It’s a shame this man does not have a ring.
Honorable Mention: Game 5, 2018 West Semis. 41–7–10 with eight 3s to eliminate the Jazz.
3. Dirk Nowitzki — Game 1, 2011 West Finals
Dirk’s legendary 2011 run to a title featured a number of all-time performances, but game 1 against the young Thunder upstarts was his best night. The big German scored 48 points on 12–15 shooting from the field and 24–24 (!!!) from the free throw line. He also added 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks.
4. Dwyane Wade — Game 6, 2012 East Semis
In the first of three consecutive playoff clashes between the Heatles and the Pacers, D-Wade finished off a feisty Indiana squad to the tune of 41–10–3–2. He shot 17–25 (all two-pointers!) from the field and 8–9 from the line.
5. Rajon Rondo — Game 2, 2012 East Finals
Our first losing performance on the list. The night Rajon Rondo outplayed LeBron (even though LeBron had 34–10–7!) Rondo notched a 2020-esque statline of 44–8–10–3 with some very non-Rondo shooting numbers (16–24, 10–12 from the line). The Big Four Celtics gave the Heatles first title team a run for their money up until LeBron turned it up a level. More on that later.
6. LaMarcus Aldridge — Game 1, 2014 West 1st Round
The last stand of the mid-range jumper. Aldridge 46 points and grabbed 18 boards in this game one win, adding two blocks and scoring seemingly every single one of those 46 points from the mid-range.
7. Paul George — Game 5, 2014 East Finals
When Playoff P actually meant something. These Pacers never did take down the Heat, but they were always unafraid. PG forced a game 6 against the reigning champs thanks to a 37-point (15–28), 6-rebound, 6-steal night.
8. James Harden — Game 5, 2015 West Finals
Harden does not have as sparkling of a postseason resume as his peers do, but this game deserves praise. 45–9–5–2–2 to force a game six against a Warriors team on the verge of a dynasty.
9. Russell Westbrook — Game 4, 2016 West Finals
Before the Cavs did the impossible, the Thunder almost beat them to it. In the game that the Warriors went down 3–1, Russ had a 36–11–11 triple double with four steals, and OKC looked unbeatable. We all know what happened next, but for four games Russ and KD looked like the two best players in the world.
Honorable Mentions:
Game 2, 2017 West First Round. 51–10–13–4. The shooting numbers were not good, and the Thunder lost the game, but look at that line!
Game 4, 2014 West Finals. 40–5–10–5 to even up the series against a Spurs team that went unchallenged otherwise in the playoffs.
Game 4, 2012 Finals. 43–7–5 to nearly lead an underdog Thunder squad to an unlikely win. He shot 20–32 (!) from the field.
10. Klay Thompson — Game 6, 2016 West Finals
The birth of Game 6 Klay. A truly supernova performance to rescue the dream season from the depths of defeat. As you will see in the next entry, it ultimately still went by the wayside, but this game will be remembered anyway. As it should. 41 points with an 11–18 mark from behind the line.
11. LeBron James — Game 6, 2016 Finals
Truth be told, you could make a top-25 list of just LeBron performances. In the original version of this list, he had a game from all but one year (2019, the only year his team didn’t make the playoffs). He even had multiple games IN THIS SERIES that could’ve been included.
But this game stands out even amongst the plethora of options. 41–8–11–4–3 to even the series against the Greatest Regular Season Team of All Time, one win away from the ultimate Finals comeback down 3–1 vs the 73–9 Warriors.
Among the many honorable mentions for LeBron:
Game 6, 2012 East Finals. The infamous vengeful Game 6 where LeBron sent the creaky Big Four Celtics to their grave with 45–15–5.
Game 1, 2018 Finals. The best performance in a loss….maybe ever? 51–8–8. Thanks, JR.
Game 2, 2015 Finals. 39–16–11 with Mozgov as the Cavs second-leading scorer.
Game 7, 2013 Finals. 37–12–4–2 to take out a GREAT Spurs team with the Klaw guarding him.
Game 4, 2014 East Semis. 49–6–2–3. Forgotten because the rest of these are so iconic and because this was against the overhyped Nets SuperTeam.
12. Kyrie Irving — Game 5, 2016 Finals
Honestly, you could have included this on LeBron’s list too. This was the game with the pair of 41-point outings that kickstarted the 3–1 comeback. LeBron had the gaudier line (41–6–7–3–3), but Kyrie carried the offense for several stretches in this game with a more efficient 41 than LeBron plus 3–6–2–1 in the other categories. The Shot to win Game 7 is more iconic, but he was a supernova this game.
Honorable Mention: Game 4, 2017 Finals. Kyrie had 40 points (seven 3s) with 7 rebounds and four assists in a blowout win over the Warriors.
13. Draymond Green — Game 7, 2016 Finals
Our final entry from what was maybe the greatest finals in NBA history. I really hope this performance isn’t lost to history because of all the hoopla surrounding it. This was Dray’s masterpiece: 32–15–9–2 on 11–15 shooting and 6–8 from three in an NBA FINALS GAME 7.
14. Isaiah Thomas — Game 2, 2017 East Semis
IT literally laid his body on the line to the tune of 53–4–4–3, carrying the Celtics on his diminutive back only for the organization to do him absolutely dirty in the offseason. I’m still not over it.
15. Anthony Davis — Game 1, 2018 West First Round
An absolute evisceration of a series, capped off by a 47-point, 10-rebound, 3-block night from AD. He shot 15–23 from the field and 15–17 from the line. Also, Jrue Holiday had 41–3–8!
16. Kevin Durant — Game 3, 2018 Finals
KD had the second-highest number of performances on the long list, trailing only LeBron (KD’s life story). This Finals was essentially a cakewalk for the overpowering Warriors against the running-on-fumes Cavs. KD unleashed a 43–13–7 game while shooting 15–23 (6–9 from three) to essentially send LeBron to LA.
Honorable Mentions:
Game 1, 2017 Finals. 38–9–8 and a smattering of “is KD the best player in the world” questions.
Game 4, 2016 West Semis. 41–5–4 against a 67-win Spurs squad.
Game 6, 2014 West Semis. 39–16–5 to eliminate a stout Clippers team.
17. Damian Lillard — Game 5, 2019 West First Round
Wave ’em goodbye, Dame! Dame Time was in full effect as the point guard eliminated the Thunder with a 50-piece, 50–7–6 with 10 3s, and an iconic series-ending buzzer beater.
Honorable Mention: Game 3, 2016 West Semis: Does anyone remember Dame going for 40–5–10 in a win over the 2016 Warriors? The 2016 playoffs were truly something else entirely.
18. Giannis Antetokounmpo — Game 4, 2019 East Semis
I almost didn’t include this because it felt pretty unmemorable anecdotally. But 39–16–4 on 15–22 shooting in just 34 minutes is pretty insane on the efficiency scale.
19. Kawhi Leonard — Game 7, 2019 East Semis
Aside from hitting one of the greatest shots in NBA history and altering several franchises for years to come, Kawhi notched 41–8–3–3 while dragging around a bum leg (and all of Canada). Who cares if the shooting numbers weren’t perfect?
20. Steph Curry — Game 4, 2019 West Finals
“But Steph doesn’t have any signature playoff games” Get outta here with that. Yes, this Portland squad was very outmatched, but 37–13–11 to clinch a sweep sending your team to the Finals is nothing to scoff at. He also had seven 3s, pretty pedestrian for Curry but outstanding for any non-aliens.
Honorable Mentions:
Game 2, 2017 Finals. 32–10–11. I almost picked this one since it was just slightly worse stats against a better team in a bigger game.
Game 3, 2015 Finals. 40–5–7–2 and shot 7–9 from three-point range.
Game 1, 2013 West Semis. The coming out party. Went for 44–4–11–2 against the Finals-bound Spurs.
A few more honorable mentions:
Amare Stoudemire, Game 3 2010 West Finals: 42–11
Derrick Rose, Game 1 2011 East 1st Round: 39–6–6–3 blocks (the shooting wasn’t good enough for a spot)
Tony Parker, Game 4 2013 West Finals: 37–4–6 in an elimination game
Blake Griffin, Game 7 2015 West 1st Round: 24–13–10 to cap off the greatest first round series ever
Kyle Lowry, Game 7 2016 East Semis: 35–7–9–4 in a game 7! Probably the toughest cut.
Victor Oladipo, Game 6 East 1st Round: 28–13–10–4
Nikola Jokic, Game 6 West 1st Round: 43–12–9–2 is an absurd line but the Nuggets lost a first-round game by 17 so I couldn’t justify the inclusion.
