Over the past decade, the NBA Playoffs have been defined by iconic performances, clutch moments, and unforgettable scoring explosions. As the league has evolved into a faster-paced, offensively-driven game, the postseason has become a showcase for elite scorers to etch their names into history. From MVPs to rising stars, let’s take a look back at the scoring leaders from each of the last ten NBA Playoffs (2014–2023), and what made their performances so memorable.
2023: Jimmy Butler – 28.5 PPG (Miami Heat)
Jimmy Butler was absolutely him in the 2023 playoffs. Leading the 8th-seeded Miami Heat to the NBA Finals, Butler put the team on his back with incredible performances, especially in the early rounds. His 56-point explosion against the Bucks in Game 4 of the first round was legendary. Butler’s gritty, relentless style, clutch shot-making, and ability to rise in big moments earned him the top scoring spot of the 2023 postseason.
2022: Stephen Curry – 27.4 PPG (Golden State Warriors)
In 2022, Steph reminded everyone why he’s one of the greatest ever. Though he didn’t lead in total points, he was the most consistent scorer throughout the playoffs and took home the Finals MVP for the first time in his career. His best performance arguably came in Game 4 of the Finals against the Celtics, where he dropped 43 points on the road, shifting the momentum of the series. It was a vintage Curry postseason—lethal threes, off-ball movement, and clutch heroics.
2021: Kevin Durant – 34.3 PPG (Brooklyn Nets)
KD was unstoppable in the 2021 playoffs. Though the Nets were eventually eliminated in the second round, Durant’s performance was a reminder of his pure scoring brilliance. In Game 5 against the Bucks, he played all 48 minutes, scoring 49 points, grabbing 17 rebounds, and dishing 10 assists—one of the most complete and dominant playoff performances ever. If his foot hadn’t been on the line in Game 7, the Nets might have gone all the way.
2020: Jamal Murray – 26.5 PPG (Denver Nuggets)
In the Orlando bubble, Jamal Murray turned into a playoff assassin. His duels with Donovan Mitchell in the first round were instant classics, featuring multiple 50-point games. He led the Nuggets to two 3–1 comebacks (against the Jazz and Clippers), showing off his elite shot-making, especially from deep and in clutch situations. While the Nuggets fell short in the Conference Finals, Murray’s breakout was unforgettable.
2019: Kawhi Leonard – 30.5 PPG (Toronto Raptors)
Kawhi was an absolute machine during the Raptors’ title run. His 2019 postseason performance was surgical—efficient, relentless, and cold-blooded. His buzzer-beater in Game 7 against the Sixers is now iconic, but it was his consistency throughout the playoffs that was most impressive. He scored over 700 total points, the third-most ever in a single postseason. Toronto rode his elite two-way play to its first-ever championship.
2018: LeBron James – 34.0 PPG (Cleveland Cavaliers)
LeBron’s 2018 playoff run is arguably his finest individual postseason. He carried a flawed Cavs team all the way to the Finals, averaging 34 points per game along the way. He had multiple game-winners (like the buzzer-beater against Toronto) and a 51-point performance in Game 1 of the Finals against the Warriors. His dominance, poise, and stamina were on full display as he willed Cleveland past Indiana, Toronto, and Boston.
2017: LeBron James – 32.8 PPG (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Another year, another dominant LeBron run. In 2017, the Cavaliers steamrolled through the East with a 12–1 record before meeting the Warriors in the Finals. LeBron was at his all-around best, but his scoring stood out—relentless drives, improved shooting, and perfect reads. Though the Cavs lost in five to the KD-powered Warriors, LeBron’s scoring and leadership were phenomenal throughout.
2016: Klay Thompson – 24.3 PPG (Golden State Warriors)
While LeBron James had another spectacular postseason, Klay Thompson had the signature scoring moment of 2016 with his Game 6 performance against the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. He dropped 41 points, hitting 11 threes in a must-win game on the road. Although LeBron (26.3 PPG) was the Finals MVP, Klay’s timely buckets and hot shooting were pivotal in the Warriors’ deep playoff run.
2015: LeBron James – 30.1 PPG (Cleveland Cavaliers)
With Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love both injured, LeBron carried the Cavs through the 2015 playoffs and into the Finals. Averaging over 30 points per game, he also led in rebounds and assists. His Finals numbers—35.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, 8.8 assists—were mind-boggling. Though the Warriors won the title, LeBron’s all-time great effort nearly brought Cleveland a ring with a severely depleted roster.
2014: Kevin Durant – 29.6 PPG (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Fresh off his MVP season, KD continued his dominance in the 2014 playoffs. He was a scoring machine, dropping 30+ consistently and showing his ability to score from all over the floor. The Thunder made it to the Western Conference Finals before falling to the Spurs, but Durant’s long-range shooting, mid-range mastery, and ability to get to the line were all on full display.
Conclusion
From LeBron’s sustained greatness to the rise of new stars like Jamal Murray and Jimmy Butler, the last decade of playoff scoring leaders tells the story of the NBA’s evolution. Each of these players not only put up huge numbers, but did so under the brightest lights and highest stakes. Whether it’s efficiency, volume, or pure clutch performances, these postseason runs have defined their legacies—and thrilled fans around the world.
