Top 10 Greatest Playoff Performances of All Time

A breakdown of the greatest playoff performances in NBA History.
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The game of Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old. I grew up as a kid watching my dad's recorded VHS tapes of playoff games through the 70s and 80s, and collected all the Basketball cards. Something about the game and what it represents just hooked me from a very young age.
My love for the game only continues to grow as time goes on. I love studying and analyzing the game, with an unbiased perspective. Feel free to subscribe, follow me on social media, and celebrate this amazing game and it's rich history with me!
I post videos every week on NBA history, predictions, hypothetical scenarios and current NBA topics.
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Intro Music: Turn On - RW Smith • Turn On - RW Smith (No... ​​​​​​​​​​
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#nba #basketball #playoffs

[@jonnyarnett]

How is your list different from mine?

[@fortnitejake850]

Good list, but needs more LeBron

[@dmulumba26]

I’m surprised that Kevin Durant’s Game 5 vs Milwaukee in 2021 isn’t at least an honorable mention. 49 pts, 17 rebs, 10 asts, 3 stls, and 2 blks and a huge dagger 3 to give the Nets a 4 point lead with under a minute left

[@johnpeter2762]

I agree with it, but 2016 game 7 should atleast be counted. It was a must win situation, and everyone don't even consider the Cavs to win that series, especially in GSW home court. Being the best offensive and defensive player is breathtaking. Although, a small part of me do get it why it's only in the honorable mentions, because what makes it great is the whole series and not just one game compared to others.

[@paksta]

Awesome video idea. Honourable mention... Charles Barkley - WCF Game 7 vs Sonics. 44pts, 24rebs, 60%fg

[@Chino_Rax]

You an old head! I respect it but you an old head.

[@DerethAC]

Jordan's 55 point game against Phoenix is also the game where he broke Charles Barkley. Great players have supreme confidence in their skills, and Barkley always thought that he was the best player in the world, but that guys like MJ, Bird, and Magic just had more help. Barkley had an amazing game but this was the game where he realized that Jordan just wasn't going to let him win, and that Jordan was better than him.

[@jahcode6132]

I remember that interview. Dude was like "and for the first time in my entire life I thought. . .This guy might just be straight up better than me". Charles was a bad man at his peak but MJ just straight up humbled him.

[@MineShackle]

Suns weren’t a good defense

[@dionpace22]

He didn't "break" Barkley. Barkley didn't turn trash after the finals

[@highlanderc]

and Barkley had the MVP that year... which Jordan took personally...

[@randomguy8893]

I mean PR GOAT MJ did have a far better supporting cast regardless

[@DanielS-gv5nj]

My honorable mention goes to Dirk Nowitzki in the first game of the 2011 western conference finals against OKC. 48 points, 12/15 from the field and 24/24 free throws meant a TS percentage of 93.9. I remember watching that game with my mouth open wondering if he is even capable of missing.

[@redguardpuremage9641]

I swear only like 3 of all his shots hit the rim. He was in the zone for that game.

[@bandjolyn]

Honestly this should be on the list. That man didn't flinch, didn't blink. And that game gave us "If I'm Ibaka, I'm naming my first son Dirk" haha

[@DanielS-gv5nj]

@@bandjolyn I remember Ibaka that night. He was in his defensive prime and as far as I can remember he didn't even play that bad. There was just nothing he could do.

[@bandjolyn]

@@DanielS-gv5nj yea Ibaka had a hand his face every shot. Didn't matter lol. Dirk was toying with him.

[@officialthomasjames]

Definitely

[@blaiseborrer]

KD's 49 17 and 10 Game 5 vs the Bucks in 2021 has to be at least an honourable mention - also considering how clutch he was down the stretch. This was without Kyrie and Harden on one leg. He played all 48 minutes and did everything that night. 3rd highest game score in the playoffs as well. Also done on 17/23 shooting.

[@willjohnwick6911]

That was a clutch alltime game but he loss that series so it goes unnoticed 😢

[@Edogawa199X]

How can he forget this legendary performance by KD hes truly idiot for not even putting this on honorable mentions

[@dliteoftheworld]

@@Edogawa199Xchill

[@jvenning3]

he doesnt like kd so im not surprised it's not listed lol

[@notmytruthTHEtruth]

Chris Paul's 14-14 perfect close out game on the opposing team's court during the 2022 Pelicans series at the age of 37 was nothing short of incredible. Wish people would celbrate performances like that from him instead of consistently slandering him.

[@daniellien6704]

It was a great game, but with all due respect he would not get so much slander if he did not choke so many 2-0 leads, including possibly the worst game 7 loss in the very next round.

[@franagustin3094]

​@@daniellien6704Yeah that loss against mavs ruins cp3's legacy

[@yodatscrazy981]

Sure but it was against a 36 win team that was forcing a 64 win team to 6 games 😂

[@tj5180]

@@yodatscrazy981 they were without zion but the suns also didnt have booker

[@notmytruthTHEtruth]

@@yodatscrazy981 ok let me repeat: the man is 6 feet tall, 37 years old, Devin Booker was injured that entire series except for game 1 and they were playing on the opposing team's home court in a closeout game with all of his 14 shots contested jumpers with a nigga's hands in his face but go ahead and laugh it off.

[@damonsonnier34]

1995 WCF Game 2 - Hakeem Olajuwon: 41PTS, 16REB, 4AST, 3STL, 2BLK on 58.1%FG.

[@Legitsky]

You’ve been killing it with the uploads Jonny, keep it up!

[@jonnyarnett]

Appreciate it! My wife started helping me edit, so for the time being, I can get videos out more quickly. She's the real MVP. Thanks for watching!

[@Mdksupreme1]

​@@jonnyarnettyou make literally the most atrocious lists possible, and the fact that your wife helps you make shows how backwards both of you are, you ranked lebron over jordan all time, and said he deserved the 2011 and 2018 mvps over d rose and harden who both carried terrible teams to top seeds while lebron had the much better teams, especially in 2011 when he had literally a superteam, harden also averaged more points than him and destroyed him in every advanced stat category, you need to stop with your demonic lists

[@fusion2813]

@@jonnyarnett that should be a honourable mention ;) very sweet keep up ur good work

[@effektivmoritz]

W Wife

[@Mdksupreme1]

@@effektivmoritz L wife*

[@vanguardas9927]

Calling it now. Giannis' 2021 Game6 50pt game should be on this list 17/19 FT

[@trentenwashington1194]

Big Fax

[@ChanBoogie310]

I love how unbias this channel is. You don’t pull out false narratives, show favoritism or state claims without proof. It’s really a breathe of fresh air not many like you nowadays thank you.

[@Peakfreud]

And I think thats why his Subs are "Relatively" low for how talented he is. Hot Take garbage & fake controversy narratives gain more analytics people like to argue & debate... He could easily bait more participation and feed the algorithm Click Bait titles. But he doesn't and I respect that.

[@Kimeikus]

@@Peakfreud Exactly. Channels usually tend to go viral when they are insanely biased and try to rile people up.

[@ChanBoogie310]

@@Peakfreud facts

[@Peakfreud]

@@Kimeikus Yep, and thats why most of the content is the exact same they compete to go viral. Theres like a Million Skip & Steve A Clones out there all barking.

[@fortynights1513]

@@Peakfreud Moreover, there's a million channels that discuss only what's trending in whatever area of interest they cater to. This doesn't mean your videos suck automatically, but it does mean that there's nothing about the channel itself that will stand out other than the presenter themself, and there's nothing of note that you can't get elsewhere. Ex: When Dallas started struggling, how many NBA youtube channels talked about Dallas, or Luka and Kyrie? And how many of those videos went over the same talking points? The opinions of the outlook of the team among the uploaders were unique to the videos themselves, but the videos felt virtually identical in approach, and weren't likely to gain views after a week or so. Moreover, on KZbin, if your videos aren't searchable, then you probably aren't going to reach as many people in short order.

[@washingtonbraida5319]

KD game 5 against the bucks should have been on the list 49 points 17 boards 10 dimes truly inspirational

[@tridra5714]

and he was even better in game 7 just got unlucky

[@tj5180]

That was his greatest playoff run post curry era.

[@coolkidbradude7745]

I think he was only including performances that lead to their team winning the series.

[@xfacta334]

@@coolkidbradude7745 Nope just winning that game. Otherwise Elgin Baylor's Finals performance wouldn't have made the list.

[@roboninja3194]

@@xfacta334 See I don't think winning the game matters all that much. Because it's just one playoff game. If it was a game 7 or Finals clincher then ok. But excluding certain performances because a team lost seems silly to me.

[@VelaniTheOne]

Wilt Chamberlains game 5 in the 1972 NBA finals to win the championship in which he scored 24 points on 71% from the field, 29 rebounds, 4 assists and 8 blocks

[@TheoBrownMusic7]

Solid list. I would have MJ's 98 game 6 finals game in the top 3 or number one. Also, honorable mention, MJ's flu game

[@randomguy8893]

Yeah a game where he missed 20 shots & only needed a game winner only because he bricked so much. & it was an offensive foul anyway

[@McGomezAddams]

Wipe off your knees

[@tj5180]

@@randomguy8893 still finished the game with 45 points and was carrying them. Pippen had a back injury

[@samraizshoaib585]

​​@@randomguy8893 Nobody was scoring that game lmao. Kukoc was the only guy with more than 10 points. I wouldn't put that game so high but lets not act like it was a bad game. And that was hardly a foul. How many people call out Reggie Miller shoving Michael to the other side of the court for a game winner? I rarely see it mentioned. Michael barely touched byron russel and its a well known fact refrees allow a bit more leeway in end games. That applies to everyone.

[@davidhutson2846]

@@randomguy8893 pretty obvious you are an arm chair qb..

[@kendricklaw6748]

steph's 43 points in last years finals gotta have an honorable mention

[@KinGaw1]

No

[@legoatjagoat4691]

No

[@aaa-dk6jr]

You do know that nowdays it's easier then ever to score. So, Curry's 43 would be like 23 back in the days.

[@jayskiii]

@@aaa-dk6jr crazy asl

[@alexayala3264]

Ah yes I loved how he didn’t score at all when his team was down double digits only when they were up

[@MisticStyles]

Jonny's HESTERY counter: 0:26 2:10 3:01 4:02 4:33 4:49 6:00 8:07 8:51 9:38 11:13 13:02

[@gabbibbo8449]

Loool

[@ButteryAftertaste]

You just got a subscriber for being, in my opinion, the most fact-based basketball channel on KZbin. No hot take BS. Keep doing what you're doing, it's a remarkable breath of fresh air.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

I love the inclusion of Bob Pettit. The more I look at older players, the more I realize how underrated and forgotten Pettit is. In his early 30's, he was playing at the same time as prime Wilt and was fairly comparable in stats. Everyone remembers and talks about Wilt, Bill Russell, Elgin Baylor, & Jerry West and yet Pettit was arguably 2nd best player of 1960-1963. Here are per 75 possession stats for comparison: % are true shooting % 1960 WiltC: 21.9pts 15.7reb 1.3ast 49.3% BRuss: 11.3pts 14.9reb 2.3ast 49.6% Pettit: 19.5pts 12.7reb 2.7ast 51.0% Baylor: 21.4pts 11.9reb 2.5ast 48.9% 1961 WiltC: 21.9pts 15.5reb 1.1ast 51.9% BRuss: 10.2pts 14.5reb 2.1ast 45.4% Pettit: 19.5pts 14.2reb 2.4ast 51.1% Baylor: 23.4pts 13.3reb 3.4ast 49.8% 1962 WiltC: 28.5pts 14.6reb 1.4ast 53.6% Russ: 11.5pts 14.4reb 2.7ast 48.9% Pettit: 21.3pts 12.8reb 2.5ast 52.5% Baylor: 25.2pts 12.2reb 3.0ast 49.2%TS Oscar: 20.0pts 8.1reb 7.4ast 55.4% 1963: WiltC: 27.5pts 14.9reb 2.1ast 55% Russ: 10.6pts 14.9reb 2.8ast 46.4% Pettit: 22.6pts 12reb 2.5ast 52.5% Baylor: 24.7pts 10.4reb 3.5ast 51.9% Oscar: 19.5pts 7.2reb 6.5at 58.8% West: 21.1pts 5.4reb 4.4ast 52.5%

[@tj5180]

Best player in 1960-1963 was either wilt or oscar also west. Petit was underrated and was the best player in the late 50s before russell came

[@LegendOfKhaos12]

Yeah petit is super underrated. Looking at his season stats per year is just mind blowing. Dude was averaging like 30/18 28/16 it’s crazy

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

@@LegendOfKhaos12 he wasn’t that far behind wilt so it’s surprising how little he’s mentioned today

[@celtics17banners84]

Sad Bird isn’t on the list, but there’s no competing with the Magic one. Social media would explode if that happened today

[@franagustin3094]

Game 5 of 1984 definetly has to be here

[@aaronsowell1639]

I’m surprised Larry Bird’s game 6 of the 1986 finals wasn’t mentioned. Wasn’t his best statistical game but his impact on the court was outstanding. He was everywhere offensively and defensively against a powerful Houston front court

[@big8dog887]

Bird personally considered it his best game.

[@htfanai3447]

Yep that's what I'm thinking and asked myself where is Larry Bird on this video. He has the craziest playoffs performance.

[@nassiglutt6587]

I agree, this is his list tho and 1 even have the flu game in top 10. Aint nobody was that sick and delivered that great

[@gabrielw7773]

It always amazes me looking at all the rest of the field how much better and fluent Jordan looked than anyone else after him. No comparison. He could just levitate.

[@rickyrichreacts9667]

As a huge Kobe fan it does suck knowing he didn’t really ever play amazing, stat wise in the playoffs and finals. He had some really good games, but he was more of a regular season type player.

[@DonkeyKong5479]

Kobe had a 48/16 game vs the Duncan's Spurs in 2001. The reason you don't see as many of those type of games for Kobe is because the pace in his era was a lot lower

[@guillermor9207]

2012 Game 6 LeBron was so cold. I think many people overlook exactly how epic that game was. I watched it live, and it just had a historic feel to it since the tip off. LeBron was down 2-3 with everyone’s eyes on him. The entire Celtics game plan that day was to make LeBron uncomfortable. Not only did he torch them and went for 45 points, but he did it on nearly 75% shooting, and basically only did it for 3 quarters of the game. That stare he had was a look of revenge. It seemed like he had taken everything the Celtics did to him personal. Jason Terry got demolished, just coming off the Mavericks team that beat him in the Finals the year before. And LeBron made sure he sent a clear message to Paul Pierce and Garnett that he’s not losing to them anymore. Dillon Brooks should rewatch that game and see why even 12 years ago it wasn’t a good idea to poke bears 😂

[@darrenneal7245]

I totally agree ... All 👀 on him, AND being down 2-3 !! ..., on the ROAD ..., after what happend in '11! .. Has to be top 3 ..

[@Hazz1405]

LeBron and Kyrie Game 5 of 2016 should of been mentioned aswell. Lebron followed it with a masterful game 6. ALOT of ppl say its not that high because the warriors had injuries in the 2016 Finals but Injuries happen to everyone

[@darrenneal7245]

@@Hazz1405 Injuries occured, in '19 ..., NOT '16

[@Hazz1405]

@@darrenneal7245 injuries occurred in both. They just tried to play through it. Bogut the warriors big man tore his ACL in game 4 and that opened the floodgates at the rim for the Cavs. Curry Came back from a sprained MCL but re did it in Game 5 of the Finals. Kerr said he should not be playing but he played through it. Iggy saif in an interview before Game 1of the 2016 Finals that he was battling a. Shoulder injury but played through it. Injuries happen in EVERY Playoffs tho so Idrc. Doesn't take anything away from the fact that Game 5 for both Kyrie and LeBron and then Game 6 for LeBron was just incredible

[@websalsero]

I remember Dirk Nowitzki first game again OKC in the WCF 2011 with 48 points on 12-15 FG and a nba record 24 of 24 free throws. A spectacular game.

[@yansonfilpo1818]

Lebron James in game 5 of the 2007 ECF was definitely the greatest playoff performance I've ever witnessed. He literally carried the Cavs to victory by scoring the last 25 points against the tough Detroit defense

[@figo706]

Chuck's stats in game 3 1994 Round 1: 56 PTS 14 REB on 74.2% FG (80.1 TS%) in a clinching game 3 win (best-of-3 series)

[@senorfane]

MJ's flu game also deserves a spot. He did his thing in game 5, which gave the Bulls a chance to end the series in 6 games. If it wasn't for that performance, Bulls needed to win in 7, and we all know that MJ never been to a game 7 in the finals.

[@neilmanansala399]

Another thing to note on Duncan's last game in the 2003 Finals: The record keepers didn't record 2 of his Blocks, so Tim Duncan is, unofficially, the ONLY player to ever play a quadruple-double game in play-off history, let alone Finals history. He's also only the 5th player to do it in NBA History (i.e. All 4 quadruple-doubles have been recorded during the Regular Season). If you don't believe me about the 10 Blocks, btw, just go watch the game for yourself; I believe it's still on KZbin. There's a possession where Duncan gets 2 Blocks in a row that don't get counted. Oh, and in the 2002-03 Season, Duncan also became a back-to-back League MVP - a League that had a PRIME SHAQUILLE O'NEAL, BTW - and beat the Shaq+Kobe Lakers in the Western Conference Semi's, which ended the Lakers' chances of 4-peating that year (oh, and Tim Duncan's Spurs also beat the Lakers in the play-offs in 1999, so it could be said that Duncan prevented the Shaq+Kobe led Lakers from FIVE-PEATING). Anyone who doesn't have Tim Duncan in their Top 5 All-Time List literally doesn't understand basketball at all, and I don't value their opinion

[@marcdoesmusics]

Tim Duncan has a case for top 5, but not stronger than the players who most have above him. and while he played forever, he wasn't that impactful the last 8 or so years of his career

[@tj5180]

@@marcdoesmusics he was impactful since 2016 defensively. Offensively he was still giving you 17/10

[@marcdoesmusics]

@@tj5180 he literally only averaged 17/10 only 2 times in his last 6 years

[@neilmanansala399]

@@marcdoesmusics Really? Because between 2008-2016, Tim Duncan: - Made 6 more All-Star Teams - Made All-NBA First Team - All-NBA Second Team 2 more times - All-NBA Third Team 2 times - Made NBA All-Defensive Team 8 more times, for a total of FIFTEEN TIMES - THE MOST IN NBA HISTORY (Kobe and KG are both tied for 2nd at 12) - Became 2015's Teammate of the Year - Won 1 more NBA Championship, on a team with only 1 all-star, as opposed to the Miami Heat who had 3 - Became the All-Time Leader in Play-off Blocks Sounds like he had a pretty good 2nd half of his career to me

[@xfacta334]

Timmy D was the best player of the 2000s (sorry Kobe fans it's true). I got him at 6 on my all time list, with Bird slightly ahead of him. The 2003 season rarely gets talked about because it destroys quite a few very popular narratives about the careers of other legends.

[@pimpmastaa101]

This list is goated 💯

[@LeviAntics]

Kawhi 2019 ECSF he had 41 pts 8 boards 3 steals and he made the clutchest shot in the playoffs all time, and it also lead to the Raptors winning the finals

[@nonyabeznis7358]

I really thought it’d be number one:(

[@richiejosephmazumder7632]

Lebronto

[@sammorris8762]

​@@nonyabeznis7358 I had it at number 1 too. I was watching it live, and I fell into the same squat Kawhi did taking the shot. Shit was crazy

[@nonyabeznis7358]

@@richiejosephmazumder7632 holla when u get a 💍 🤣🤣

[@mauricedavis1740]

@@richiejosephmazumder7632 4-6..

[@stevanchez1122]

Kareem's 1980 NBA Finals' game 5 is too often overlooked (really his entire performance in that series is kinda swept under the rug). He got badly injured in the 3rd quarter of that game, but came back in the 4th. Limping up and down the court, he had two clutch blocks and the game-winning, and-one, dunk over Dr. J. He scored 14 of the Lakers' 27 points in the 4th and ended with game highs; 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks, all on a f@#&ed ankle. That's some heroic stuff.

[@davidschmidt1793]

Indeed, I don't know how people don't bring that up when talking about that finals.

[@scottwill19]

I don’t know how any list like this can leave Lebron’s game 6 2016 41 point game. Arguably his best game ever.

[@YSHRHAKING]

Awesome list as usual. Educational, entertaining and interesting!

[@tashrif46]

I am a bit shocked that the Flu Game is not on this list. That is probably the greatest clutch performance Michael Jordan ever had. The series was tied 2-2 and the fifth game was at Salt Lake City and with the news of Jordan's illness, Utah probably thought they would go into Chicago with 3-2 edge. But then 38pts, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and the game winning 3 later, Michael Jordan showed who he really was. I am a bit surprised that did not even make the list, let alone be number 1.

[@keithjoseph128]

I'm surprised the hangover game wasn't on here.

[@tashrif46]

@@keithjoseph128 hungover from what?

[@keithjoseph128]

@@tashrif46 you can't be that lost.

[@tashrif46]

@@keithjoseph128 well you are the one who thinks something else is happening.

[@keithjoseph128]

@@tashrif46 you gullible little media media puppet. That's cute. Do you believe Kobe was clutch too? How adorable.

[@soniology]

Wonderful video as always. I was actually shocked when the #10 spot was already that good, but you list was spot on and you explained it perfectly

[@jk8190]

Chuck's game 3 vs Warriors in 1993 is a glaring overlook. Barkley's stats: 56 PTS (with 0.75 3P%, 0.78 FT% and 0.74 FG%) 14 RBS, 4 AST, 3 STL, 1 BLK and only 2 TOV. It's probably the most efficient PO game in history

[@joeyy7904]

Great video, great timing as well. Ive seen so many youtubers trying to call everything this postseason the greatest of all time performance and im just like did you not watch NBA before 2000

[@figo706]

Wilt's stats in that Game 5 of the 1962 Division Semis: 56 PTS 35 REB on 45.8% FG in a crucial game 5 win (best-of-5 series)

[@am_andrew3005]

Surprised that Jimmy Butlers game 6 ECF last year didn't make the honourable mentions

[@edwardbates2559]

In that Tim Duncan game he should’ve had a Quadruple Double but the stat keeper game two of his blocks to David Robinson by mistake. 2:58

[@HailKingCeezer]

You watched that LeBron game live as many of us did and it deserves to be on the list, but many of us watched the 98 Finals g6 live. Nothing that those alive can remember is more iconic than that moment-the moment-the last dance to cap off 6 knowing this was it-gassed from carrying the Bulls most of the season without Pippen, "running on fumes" to include as you said the most legendary clutch sequence of all time. How can it be beaten-especially by an ECF game that ultimately led to a Finals sweep?

[@HailKingCeezer]

and same with G2 of the 91 Finals. The importance of that game and watching it live. Just look at the ratings of any of those finals really-but this one? They lost game 1 of their first Finals after all the MJ went through(he would never win-scoring champs will never win etc), his g1 buzzer beater went in and then came out. So the exclamation point in g2 was 11 pts in a row by himself leading to one of the most iconic layups in nba finals history for 13 consecutive and pull away and the that statement carried the momentum for the rest of the series for a gentleman's sweep. DWade doens't make the list-not even Honorable mention? Is that the LeBron fan in you devaluing and forgetting Dwade carried his team to a championship before LeBron ran to join him? Putting too much into stats also forgets games like G1 of the 97 Finals. MJ had 31pts and 8a, but it was in a tough fought low scoring game where every point mattered and MJ sealed it with the buzzer beater over Russell. An NBA Finals game winning buzzer beater doesn't make the list?

[@madara792]

@@HailKingCeezer Don't know if youve been around long but Jonny Arnett is an MJ fan dude lol He's actually one of the rare ones that doesn't dickride which I honestly can't say for you judging by the mini-novel you wrote

[@HailKingCeezer]

@@madara792 dick riding is just a lebronie term for not being able to accept the truth. Magics game is over lebrons but that 98 g6 is absolutely #1 he clearly has bias for seeing the lebron game on TV live and even if he's an MJ fan he clearly ddint see the MJ g6 live and ubsersrand the magnitude and everyone in the world was tuned in. Non MJ fans. Non basketball fans all watched knowing this was going to be his last game and a g7 on the line and the most clutch player goes out with a storybook ending clutch defensive play followed by the killer clutch offensive play. It was perfect. Its #1 by a mile. And this MJ fan skewed it for stats while omitting losses to remove MJ and boost that lebron game he saw on TV as a kid.

[@HailKingCeezer]

@@madara792 let's put it into more context for you. The Pistons 5 ecf appearances further illustrates lebrons reign of the east is just a product of the weakest conference in nba history. The Pistons thst he beat as Johnny and lebrom fans like to portray them as- are far removed from the championship Pistons everyone knows of. 2x DPOTY Ben Wallace was gone leaving a hole in the middle for lebron to go uncontested and HOF coach Larry Brown was gone leaving flip saunders as their only leader, ie no leader because Larry was their real leader. The jazz were in their b2b finals. Swept Shaq and Kobe and beat the Duncan and Robinson spurs in 5. They wrecked HOF west teams. 60+ almost every year in the 90s. They were about to break out going home for g7 and MJ or course never been in a g7 finals. Tell me how that is dick riding over lebrons ecf game that leads to getting swept in the finals as a better playoff performance? How does the magnitude not get outweighed by Michael's g6? You don't have to be a fan of either to know which was more important to bball history.

[@HailKingCeezer]

And in case you don't remember Flip Saunders is the bum that wasted KGs best years in Minny and KG did all he could IN SPITE of flips awful coaching and lack of leadership. Same goes for Kevin Loves best if im not mistaken. Flip just got the sympathy card because he passed away too soon and he was a nice guy.

[@finn.1357]

I love this channel sm

[@jackjames7155]

always a great day when you post brother

[@user-jw5qj8kv2y]

When Isaiah Thomas scored a career-best 53 points on his sister's birthday in the 2017 NBA Playoff Conference Semifinals between the Celtics and the Wizards, it was an emotional moment.

[@Spartan_AG_999]

Great list!!!!

[@2xyn798]

Dame against the nuggets should’ve been here, idc if they lost that man couldn’t miss 😂

[@Cdf35]

Good list.. notice Mj & Bron on here multiple times.. the two GOAT(s)

[@thegoodprince3264]

I honestly might take Steph's 43 and 10 game against Boston in Game 4 last year over his 50 in a Game 7. That game changed the momentum of the series, and he was unreal. The way he tracked offensive and defensive rebounds, his shooting, and his overall control of the whole game was just unreal. But his 50 piece this year was incredible as well. He completely took over and dominated the Kings, scoring even more inside the arc than he did from 3, which is rare for him in a high-scoring game like that.

[@cadecrusader3940]

I like your list Jonny!

[@adekunle4672]

great video

[@mymountrushmore6235]

Awesome list

[@lukaslambs5780]

One of Lebron’s 2016 finals games I thought would get number one or at least a spot on the list. That was the most epic series in sports history.

[@Someone-hi1nt]

no offense, but its not even close... the story was great, and game 7 was incredible, but the rest of the games in the series were mostly blowouts that werent close after the first half

[@hainavidotcom]

Number 1? are you crazy, Nothing is topping Magics #1 AS A ROOKIE!!!

[@mauricedavis1740]

sure a Lebron pole smoker would think so but obviously there are far more greater games in NBA history..

[@lucasmachado8351]

Dames 50 against okc deserves to be a honorable mention at least. It was in the first round but he literally send okc into rebuild mode

[@ianmoone6740]

Now you gotta include Jason Tatum's game 7 against 76ers. Not only did he drop the most points with 51, his defense was fantastic and game defining.

[@rimimimimimimimim4170]

Klay’s game 6 I’m so glad was on the honourable mentions, it’s such a clutch and amazing performance

[@randomperson2540]

I can even critique this list as they are some many great moments and different conexts for players that vary the ranking. When you have the criteria that jonny has, it's hard to have any consistent ranking

[@lifebybill1326]

LeBron game 7 in 2016 NBA finals. 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists. He had the "Block" and he made a clutch free throw with 10 seconds left that put them up 4. It has all of your requirements. Clutchness, magnitude of the game, stats, overall impact, especially! When you consider that it was a 3-1 comeback against the greatest regular season team of all time that had the back to back MVP and the DPOY on their squad.

[@johnnyblockchain4238]

I was a junior in high school and was at that Pistons Lebron game. It was crazy being there for that.

[@uwupandaXD]

Obviously I don't agree with every point, I but I really respect your list. This is a good list with really good points and reasonings, and I respect your picks.

[@redluke8119]

I watched lebron ecf performance live and I'll never forget even at a young age just the absolute carry job that game was

[@jmckie45]

Bob Petit is a legend. I'm glad he helped get the Hawks our only title.

[@dorianthemenace]

Jimmy Butler, game 4 2020 was one hell of a performance

[@khaitranngoc4176]

Alright Fantastic List. Now can you do this, but for every season since 1980?

[@figo706]

Bill Walton's 1977 game 6 championship clinching performance: 20 PTS 23 REB 7 AST 8 BLKS

[@teofemo7000]

Abdul-Jabbar's 40 point game after spraining his ankle in game 5 1980 Finals. He blocked a bus load of shots as well.

[@rpesik]

Magic's performance was just... Magic

[@axg5929]

jimmy butler's 56 point game was insane. his overall performance that whole playoffs was insane

[@blackphillip564]

MJ's games are all in the Finals but Lebron's games are still over his? Imagine if MJ's 63pt 1st rd special was over Giannis' 50 piece in the Finals. It's boring to keep mentioning MJ's greatness but the man is the GOAT. No shame in talking about Wilt's records but Mike has to suppressed why?

[@halfshot253]

Jordan's 40 pt game averagenin a playoff series and 40 pt average in the finals. Goat

[@fireformleo1445]

I agree with this list, but I think that you should do another video discussing about nba duo performance, when The Kyrie Irving and Lebron James game 5 in 2016 performance when both of them had 41 points is spectacular and most definitely memorable

[@AliM-ve9jd]

Great vid yet again Jonny! What are your initial reactions to Bookers Game 3 against the Nuggets last night? 47 points on 80% shooting in a vital game 3 to keep the Suns season alive. Does this get on the list or the honourable mentions do you think?

[@facelessandnameless]

So many Kobe performances that could be included

[@wc4201]

This is a solid list. I wouldn’t make any changes.

[@jadentesai]

Currys 43 in Boston not even being an honorable mention is insane

[@JJ-ly1mt]

1. Jordan game 6 nba finals 98 2. Bron game 5 ecf 07 3. Bron game 6 Boston 12 4. Jordan game 4 nba finals 93

[@kannon1610]

I wanted to point out one thing about my GOAT, Bill Russell, that I hope you might incorporate in future videos. While it is true that he played and won 10 game sevens in his career, perhaps more impressive is that he played 21 winner take all games between his NCAA and NBA careers whether they were game 5s, 7s, or elimination games, and never lost any of them.

[@ericknascimento9472]

Having a list like this but from the player on the losing team would be kind cool as well.

[@ChanBoogie310]

That was the perfect #1 I could think of. He was a rookie starting at center and showed up when they needed him.

[@MrReese]

I don't have enough NBA history knowledge to contest most of these points, but it would have been great to see the actual approach by how you rated each of these games, i.e. assign them points for all of your cateogries and make the list out of those (a bit like jimmy :D).

[@Peakfreud]

Wow, a Unicorn, a humble person in the comments.. #Respect

[@pauangelotti7153]

Dwayne Wade DESERVES an honorable mention for what he did in the 2006 finals from game 3 to game 6,becoming one of the youngest FMVP ever

[@josephmangini465]

John Havlicek's 1973 game 1 performance against the Atlanta hawks. John scored 54 points on 24 of 36 shooting from the field and 6 for 6 from the line. He also grabbed 9 rebounds and contributed 6 assists.

[@jovetvikfaye-lund2388]

I know it was a first round game, but MJ’s performance in game five against the Cavs in 1989 with the shot on Ehlo. Because that’s a win or loose the series, then to hit a buzzerbeater and he had 44 pts! Woow!!

[@gingervsginger7305]

Not hacking Barkley’s Game 5 or 7 in the 93 WCF even mentioned is criminal

[@ashamael]

THIS! 44-24 vs a dude half a foot taller than you in a game 7 to go to the finals?! Like c’mon!!

[@carlosacosta1290]

That Giannis game 6 isn’t talked about enough.50 points/14 rebounds/5 blocks to win the championship

[@ChonkyBoi_yt]

LeBron's 50 points game 1 vs warriors in 2018 could've been here such a shame. He scored 50 on arguably greatest team ever assembled while being defended by Iggy, Draemon and KD

[@spencerkirkey9500]

The first basketball game I ever watched was that lebron game 5 Vs. Pistons, lifelong basketball and lebron fan since

[@avdhutjoshi676]

You put this out just before Lonnie Walker's masterclass against the warriors

[@poly_g6068]

10:10 He always had to keep his head from smacking the rim. Miss young LBJ.

[@rig-zag]

After the Philly/Boston game 7, I think you need to update this already! 😂

[@markomeker7789]

I know the criteria is that the team has to win that game, but Isiah Thomas game on one leg vs. Lakers and his 16pts in 90sec to force a overtime vs. Knicks is out of this world!

[@SwagnerCountsThings]

Having Tim Duncan's close out Quadruple Double (man was robbed and they need to change the books. fight me) at number 9 is insanity. Easily a top 5 performance

[@franagustin3094]

Bird's game 5 of 1984 has to be on this list

[@BentleysShorts]

1993 WCF GAME 7 BARKLEY

[@aramsarkisyan8061]

Would be cool to make a Top 10 playoff performances in games lost. Lillard's game 5 against Nuggets in 2021 would be somewhere in Top 3 probably

[@Kickz916]

Steph game 4 vs Boston should definitely be on this list

[@kg21bestpf94]

Kevin Garnett vs Kings in 04...Game 7 he had 30/20/2/5/5

[@purgefilms1116]

This might be a crazy idea because it would take alot of research but you should do this idea but with different decades

[@fortynights1513]

Do the best playoff series performances by individual players?

[@mindofball19]

the fact this list could’ve just been MJ and LeBron is crazy

[@officialconch]

Eh... If LeBron's game 6 of the conference finals makes the list, I can think of 2 performances that are more impressive. The most points ever scored in a game *7* to clinch an NBA Finals berth. The record is shared by Charles Barkley and Allen Iverson. Barkley had 44 points and 24 rebounds (10 offensive!) to defeat the Sonics with Payton and Kemp. Iverson had 44 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals; and for the "inefficient" guard, he went 51% from the field and 66% from 3. Sure, LeBron had a point more, but game 7 is an objectively higher pressure situation and Barkley had significantly more boards while Iverson had more assists with less turnovers. Again, these are the most points ever scored in game 7 of a conference finals. Definitely should be on this list!!!

[@Biggrittz]

Hakeem Definitely Deserves a spot on this list. When he isn’t winning the series he’s putting up Historical Statlines.

[@LonelyHoops]

Magic didn’t play center he just jumped ball, he guarded the wing player and never guarded the center