Top 5 single-game performances from a player in the 2021 NBA Playoffs

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks holds the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award and the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Phoenix Suns in Game Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks holds the Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP Award and the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after defeating the Phoenix Suns in Game Six to win the 2021 NBA Finals

#3 Trae Young in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks

Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks surprisingly defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2021 NBA playoffs Eastern Conference Semi-finals. Coming off that series victory, the Hawks continued to pile on the pressure as they overcame the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1of the conference finals.

Trae Young played a significant role in that victory, making it the first home loss for the Bucks in the 2021 NBA playoffs. Although the Bucks dominated in the first half, the Hawks took over halfway into the third quarter.

Young registered 48 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds while shooting 50% from the field. His brilliance put him on the list of the youngest players to score 45+ points in a playoff game. Of all the players in the top ten, he has the most points while playing the least minutes.


#2 Kevin Durant in Game 5 against the Milwaukee Bucks

Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets
Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets

The Milwaukee Bucks restored parity in the 2021 NBA playoffs semi-finals series despite suffering a 2-0 loss. The Brooklyn Nets were short-handed as Kyrie Irving hurt his ankle in Game 4.

With James Harden playing through a hamstring injury, the Nets' survival was at the hands of Kevin Durant. Durant, despite missing action for the entire previous season, showed no signs of slack as he played every minute of Game 5.

The heavy lifting was left to Durant as Joe Harris lost his range, and Harden was not 100%. With qualification in the balance, Durant recorded the best performance of his NBA playoffs career in Game 5.

Although it was a narrow win due to low productivity from his supporting cast, he registered 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists. It was a historic night for KD, as he became the first player in NBA playoffs history to record 45+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 10+ assists in a single playoff game.


#1 Giannis Antetokounmpo in Game 6 against the Phoenix Suns

Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks

There's no better way to end the 2021 NBA playoffs than with a 50-point series clincher in the NBA Finals. The Milwaukee Bucks lost their first two games of the series but found a way to win four consecutive games to clinch the title.

Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday deserve accolades as they were both exceptional throughout the 2021 NBA playoffs and most especially, in the Finals. However, Giannis Antetokounmpo was the star of the show as he dominated both ends of the court.

It was a dominant series for Giannis, who broke several records on the night and was rewarded with his first NBA Finals MVP award. His 50-point game sealed the deal for the Milwaukee Bucks as they won their first NBA championship since 1971.

Recommended Video
tagline-video-image

Guess the Lakers players!

Quick Links