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The advertisement for the 2024 NBA Playoffs emphasizes that certain players are designed for the postseason. With the stakes elevated, some players demonstrate their best performances and earn recognition as playoff stars.
However, there are also stars who shine in the regular season but falter in the playoffs.
As the 2024 NBA Playoffs draw near, let’s look at the NBA players who consistently performed at a high level in the postseason and achieved the highest playoff scoring averages of all time.
Five highest NBA Playoff Scoring Averages
#5 Jerry West
Jerry West ranks fifth on the list with an average of 29.1 ppg. He played in 153 playoff games and secured one championship in 1972.
West is famously remembered for winning the Finals MVP Award in 1969 despite being on the losing team.
#4 Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant has maintained his reputation as a reliable playoff performer since his days with the OKC Thunder. Now with his fourth team, the Phoenix Suns, he remains a dominant scorer.Throughout his career, Durant has averaged 29.4 ppg in 166 playoff games.
He's poised to increase his playoff game count as the Suns face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of this year's NBA Playoffs.
#3 Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson participated in 71 playoff games over his 14-season career. Despite not winning a championship, he established himself as a prolific playoff scorer, averaging 29.7 ppg.
Iverson was also an icon of endurance, as he averaged 45.1 minutes per game in playoff matchups.
#2 Luka Doncic
Luka Doncic, in just his sixth season, has become one of the NBA's most prolific scorers. With an average of 32.5 ppg in 28 playoff appearances, he has demonstrated his scoring prowess on the big stage.
Doncic's playoff scoring highlight came in Game 7 of the 2021 first round against the Clippers, where he scored 46 points, his highest in a playoff game. He's poised to face the Clippers once more in the first round of this year's NBA Playoffs.
#1 Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan held the title of the NBA's top playoff scorer until 2017, when LeBron James surpassed his record. James did not make this list as he ranked sixth in playoff points per game with 28.5.
Jordan amassed an impressive 5,987 points in 179 playoff games. That translates to 33.4 ppg throughout his playoff career. With six championships and six Finals MVPs to his name, Jordan's legacy is firmly established, largely due to his remarkable playoff scoring prowess.
Guess the Bulls players in this quiz and it's not going to be easy!
