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Kevin Durant is widely lauded as the league's most efficient scorer, and he has proved the basketball community right, especially in the NBA Finals. When it comes down to it, Durant knows how to get points on the score sheet regardless of who is guarding him.
Although Kevin Durant has featured in four NBA Finals, we will be taking only three into account because of the abrupt end to his 2019 campaign. He strained his calf in the Western Conference semi-finals against the Houston Rockets but made a comeback in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Unfortunately, KD ruptured his Achilles after 11 minutes and missed the rest of the series.
The severity of the injury sidelined Kevin Durant for the entire 2019-20 season. Despite a one-year absence, Durant returned like he never left, scoring at the same efficiency rate he left off.
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Kevin Durant's 3 NBA Finals ranked based on field-goal percentages
The NBA Finals is the biggest stage in world basketball and it has chewed up several superstars. While many choke and crack under pressure, Kevin Durant has always embraced the challenge and performed above expectations.
Even as joining a 73-9 team will continue to hang over his head, especially with the OKC Thunder fans always there to remind him, Kevin Durant held his own with the Golden State Warriors super team.
Although Kevin Durant has been impressive in all NBA Finals, winning the MVP in two of his three appearances, here are the rankings of his performances based on field-goal percentage.
#3 2018 NBA Finals - 52.6
Kevin Durant was incredible for the Golden State Warriors in both Finals appearances. On his way to a three-peat, he got injured and the Toronto Raptors, led by Kawhi Leonard, stole the show.
It was a smooth journey for Kevin Durant and the Warriors as they defeated their opponents in the first two rounds fairly easily. The Chris Paul-James Harden combination gave them a much harder time as they had to force a Game 7, which they eventually won.
After a long Western Conference Finals, the Golden State Warriors had to square up against a familiar foe. The Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers have dominated the playoffs since 2015, with only one victory going to the LeBron James-led Cavs.
Although the Warriors comfortably swept the Cavs, Kevin Durant had his lowest-scoring game in the postseason. While he mustered only 20 points in the series clincher, it was his first triple-double of the playoffs. KD averaged 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists while shooting 52.6% from the field.
#2 2012 NBA Finals - 54.8%
Kevin Durant reached the NBA Finals for the first time in his career in 2012 while playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder. That same season, he was the NBA scoring champion for the third consecutive year.
As expected, it was a dominating showing for Kevin Durant in the playoffs. He started the postseason on an incredible note, sweeping the 2011 NBA champions - the Dallas Mavericks - in the first round.
Although things got harder as they progressed, Kevin Durant had no problems putting away opponents with the help of The Beard and Russell Westbrook.
After an emphatic Game 6 win against the San Antonio Spurs despite losing their first two games, fans in Oklahoma had something to cheer about seeing as it was their first time reaching the finals since their relocation from Seattle.
Overcoming the Miami Heat super team of James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh was going to be an uphill task, but Kevin Durant and the Thunder went gun-blazing. They were off to a flying start after defeating the Heat in Game 1 with an 11-point margin.
Unfortunately, that was the only win the team got in the finals.
Although King James ran through them like a bullet train, Kevin Durant put up a good fight, averaging 30.6 points, 2.2 assists, and six rebounds while shooting 54.8% from the field.
#1 2017 NBA Finals - 55.6%
As earlier mentioned, Kevin Durant was the most hated athlete at the time because he decided to join the 73-9 Warriors that defeated him in the 2016 Western Conference finals. For a moment, the NBA community forgot about James and his decision to take his talents to South beach.
The Slim Reaper got what he wanted as his defection bore fruits. In 2017, he won his first NBA title, helping the Warriors exact revenge on the Cleveland Cavaliers, who overcame a 3-1 deficit to win the 2016 championship.
Kevin Durant had a finals performance for the ages, averaging 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists. Although James averaged a triple-double, he was outscored by Durant. KD proved himself to be an efficient scorer with a field goal percentage of .556 while also shooting 47.4% from beyond the arc and 92.7% from the charity stripe.
Durant is yet to win a third championship but inches closer as the Brooklyn Nets go into the 2021-22 NBA season as title favorites. As we anticipate another monster finals performance from Kevin Durant, his 2017 outing remains his most efficient.
