Ranking the Best Individual Performances in the NBA Playoffs in Last 10 Years

The 2015 NBA playoffs are in full swing, but before we move forward, here's a look back at the best individual postseason performances in the last 10 years.

Whether it was Dirk Nowitzki's 50-point game in the 2006 Western Conference Finals or one of LeBron James' career-defining playoff games, all 15 selections were made based on dominance and how the player's performance impacted his team.

All statistics and related information via Basketball-Reference unless otherwise noted.

Honorable Mentions

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There were three individual performances that didn't quite make the cut simply because they weren't quite as dominant as the 15 selections. Even so, they were worth an honorable mention.

Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics: 2010 Eastern Conference Semifinals

Game 4 Stats: 29 points, 18 rebounds, 13 assists

Rajon Rondo’s triple-double led the Boston Celtics to their 97-87 Game 4 win to even the series 2-2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Celtics went on to win the next two games and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Danny Green, San Antonio Spurs: 2013 NBA Finals

Game 3 Stats: 27 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals

On a very balanced San Antonio team, Danny Green managed to stand out as a star in Game 3 of the 2013 NBA Finals.

He scored a game-high 27 points while shooting 7-of-9 from beyond the arc and 9-of-15 overall.

The Spurs took the 2-1 series lead with the dominant 113-77 win.

Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns: 2010 Western Conference Semifinals

Game 3 Stats: 26 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Goran Dragic led the Phoenix Suns with 26 points in the team’s 110-96 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Dragic went off in the fourth quarter, scoring 22 of his 26 points. He was perfect from downtown, shooting 5-of-5 from beyond the arc and 10-of-13 from the floor overall.

15. Ray Allen, Boston Celtics: 2010 NBA Finals

Game 2 Stats: 32 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists

Ray Allen’s eight three-pointers in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Lakers set the NBA Finals record for most in a single game.

He shot 8-of-11 from downtown, hitting five in the second quarter alone on his way to 27 first-half points and an eventual game-high 32 points.

The Celtics evened the series with the Lakers 1-1.

14. LeBron James, Miami Heat: 2013 NBA Finals

Game 6 Stats: 32 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists

This isn't the list's only featured performance from LeBron James that kept his team alive in the playoffs and in contention for an NBA title.

The Miami Heat were down 13 points entering the fourth quarter of Game 6 against the San Antonio Spurs. You may remember the game-tying three-pointer from Ray Allen which forced the game into overtime, but James’ performance was critical in the Heat's comeback.

He scored 18 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead the Heat to the 103-100 win, which sent them to Game 7, where he led the organization to its second consecutive championship.

13. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: 2006 Western Conference Semifinals

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Game 5 Stats: 36 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal

Although Tim Duncan had a better performance (41 points, 15 rebounds) in Game 7 of the 2006 Western Conference Semifinals, his performance in Game 5 gets the nod because it kept the San Antonio Spurs from elimination.

Duncan scored 21 of his 36 points in the second quarter to prevent the Dallas Mavericks from gaining the lead at the half, which would end up being critical in the Spurs’ 98-97 win.

San Antonio evened the series in Game 6 before eventually losing 119-111 in Game 7.

12. Paul George, Indiana Pacers: 2014 Eastern Conference Semifinals

Game 4 Stats: 39 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals

Paul George led the Indiana Pacers to a 3-1 lead over the Washington Wizards with 39 points in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

George had the hot hand, shooting 7-of-10 from downtown and 12-of-20 overall. He also added 12 rebounds.

The Pacers won the series 4-2 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

11. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: 2013 Western Conference Semifinals

Game 1 Stats: 44 points, 11 assists, 2 steals

It was the Golden State Warriors' first postseason appearance since 2007 and the first with Stephen Curry aboard.

Curry had no trouble finding his groove in the playoffs, opening the series against the San Antonio Spurs with 44 points and 11 assists.

He scored 22 points in the third quarter alone, lifting the Warriors to a 92-80 lead entering the fourth.

Golden State would lose in double overtime but not before Curry could make his mark.

10. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder: 2014 Western Conference Finals

Game 4 Stats: 40 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 steals

Russell Westbrook’s 40-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the 2014 Western Conference Finals evened the series 2-2.

He shot 12-of-24 from the field while adding 10 assists and making all 14 baskets from the line.

Defensively he grabbed five steals and one block, giving opposing point guard Tony Parker a run for his money.

9. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: 2014 Western Conference Semifinals

Game 6 Stats: 39 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks

Kevin Durant left no question about his MVP award with his double-double performance against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals just one week after being honored.

He shot 12-of-23 from the field, including 5-of-8 from downtown. He also made all 10 baskets from the line while grabbing 16 rebounds and dishing out five assists.

The Thunder’s 104-98 win sealed the series at 4-2.

8. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers: 2009 NBA Finals

Game 1 Stats: 40 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists

Kobe Bryant set the tone for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2009 NBA Finals series against the Orlando Magic with his 40-point effort in Game 1.

He added eight rebounds and eight assists, shooting 16-of-34 from the field.

The Lakers would win the title in five games, the win perhaps most notable for it being the first Lakers championship since Shaquille O'Neal left for the Miami Heat in 2004. Bryant was named Finals MVP.

7. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: 2013 Western Conference First Round

Game 3 Stats: 41 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals

Kevin Durant continued to carry the Oklahoma City Thunder after Russell Westbrook suffered a season-ending injury in Game 2 of the first-round series of the 2013 playoffs.

Durant led the team with 41 points on 13-of-30 shooting from the field and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.

The Thunder edged the Houston Rockets 104-101 to take the 3-0 series lead.

This performance gets the nod over his performance in Game 6 of the 2014 Western Conference Semifinals because of its significance to the team's success in Westbrook's absence.

6. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: 2011 Western Conference Finals

Game 1 Stats: 48 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 blocks

Dirk Nowitzki dominated Game 1 of the 2011 Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder with 48 points.

He shot 12-of-15 from the field, making 10 of his first 11 baskets. He also made 24-of-24 free throws, which according to Basketball-Reference, is the most consecutive free throws made in playoff history.

His performance set the tone for the Mavericks, who went on to win the series 4-1.

5. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers: 2014 Western Conference 1st Round

Game 1 Stats: 46 points, 18 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 19 of his 46 points in the fourth quarter to force Game 1 against the Houston Rockets into overtime.

The Portland Trail Blazers ended up winning 122-120 after having trailed by double digits with less than eight minutes to play in the fourth quarter.

He added 18 rebounds, two assists and two blocks to his 17-of-31 shooting performance.

The Trail Blazers went on to win the series 4-2.

4. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: 2007 Eastern Conference Finals

Game 5 Stats: 48 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists

LeBron James lifted the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 3-2 series lead over the Detroit Pistons with a career-defining performance in Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals.

James scored the Cavaliers’ final 25 points in the double overtime contest, shooting 54.5 percent from the field and hitting 2-of-3 shots from downtown.

His 48 points were a career playoff-high at the time, according to The Associated Press.

3. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat: 2006 NBA Finals

Game 3 Stats: 42 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

Although this performance is less dominant statistically compared to Aldridge's and James', it gets the nod because of its significance to the Miami Heat's 2006 NBA title.

The Heat trailed the Dallas Mavericks by double digits with less than 10 minutes remaining in Game 3 of the final series. That is, until Dwyane Wade stepped in.

Wade scored 13 of his 42 points in the final seven minutes to carry Miami to the 98-96 win. He shot 14-of-26 while adding 13 rebounds and two assists.

Having been behind 2-0 in the series, this game changed the course of the series for the Heat, who went on to win the title in Game 6. Wade was named NBA Finals MVP.

2. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: 2006 Western Conference Finals

Game 5 Stats: 50 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists

Dirk Nowitzki set a franchise record for single-game scoring in the playoffs with 50 points against the Phoenix Suns in Game 5 of the 2006 Western Conference Finals.

He shot 14-of-26 from the field, including 5-of-6 from downtown, leading Dallas to the 117-101 victory with 33 second-half points.

Even though this performance didn't help clinch the NBA title as Wade's did, it gets the nod for being significantly more dominant. It also gave the Mavericks the 3-2 edge in the series, which they eventually won 4-2.

1. LeBron James, Miami Heat: 2012 Eastern Conference Finals

Game 6 Stats: 45 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists

James kept the Miami Heat’s NBA Finals chances alive with his 45-point effort in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

He shot 19-of-26 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc while dominating the boards with 15 rebounds. He also added five assists.

It was a performance that paved the way to James claiming his first NBA title and an era of dominance for the Miami Heat. That's why it gets the top honor as the best individual performance in the NBA playoffs of the last 10 years.