Ranking the 25 Best Single-Game NBA Playoff Performances of the 2000s
In Game 1 of the 2026 Western Conference Semifinals, we witnessed Victor Wembanyama's official entry into the "best player in the world" conversation.
Considering his age (22) and the season he just had, we might have even seen some of the bigger individual steps he's taken toward Michael Jordan and LeBron James in the greatest-of-all-time race.
Against a juggernaut defense that's ranked first in that category in each of the last two seasons, Wemby went for 41 points on 14-of-25 shooting, grabbed 24 boards, blocked three shots and handed out three assists.
His huge night got us thinking: Was that the best playoff performance of the 2000s?
To answer that question, we took each of the top 100 playoff games of the era by game score ("a rough measure of a player's productivity for a single game"), gave them lots of credit for that game score, gave them lots of credit for the level of defense the player faced, gave a dash of credit for the end result (was it a win or a loss?), and gave a dash of credit for the location of the game (was it at home or on the road?).
We tossed those factors into the statistical blender, churned it on high and poured out the following top 25.
25. Kobe Bryant vs. Nuggets (April 23, 2008)
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Stat line: 49 points (18-of-27 shooting), 10 assists, 43.6 game score, opponent's defense ranked 10th
The Los Angeles Lakers made quick work of the Denver Nuggets in the first round of their 2008 playoff run. Kobe Bryant was the big reason why.
In Game 2, he went nuclear, dismantling a Nuggets defense that was solid in the regular season.
This wasn't quite the dead-ball era of the 90s and early 2000s, but it also wasn't close to the pace-and-space game of today.
A 49-point, 10-assist double-double in 2008 is a massive performance given that context.
24. Damian Lillard vs. Nuggets (June 1, 2021)
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Stat line: 55 points (17-of-24 shooting), 10 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 55.9 game score, opponent's defense ranked 12th
Statistical purists will surely scoff at this one being as low as it is.
Damian Lillard's 55-point masterpiece against the Denver Nuggets in 2021 produced the highest game score of the field. It wasn't part of the criteria, but this was also the fifth-highest single-game box plus-minus from the field.
Lillard's team losing and the numbers coming against an outside-the-top-10 defense hurt his final rank, but it's clear this belongs in the top 25 nevertheless.
23. LeBron James vs. Warriors (June 16, 2016)
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Stat line: 41 points (16-of-27 shooting), 11 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 blocks, 42.5 game score, opponent's defense ranked 5th
In the middle of the Cleveland Cavaliers' now legendary comeback from a 3-1 series deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron James had one of the most dynamic performances of his career in Game 6.
It didn't matter who the 73-win Golden State Warriors threw at him. LeBron got what he wanted on virtually every possession.
This performance isn't here strictly for what he did on offense. He also totaled four steals, three blocks and six defensive boards.
LeBron was on an undeniable mission to beat one of the greatest teams of all time and deliver Cleveland its first title.
This performance helped him succeed on both fronts.
22. Tim Duncan vs. Nets (June 4, 2003)
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Stat line: 32 points (11-of-17 shooting), 20 rebounds, 6 assists, 7 blocks, 3 steals, 40.8 game score, opponent's defense ranked 1st
In Game 1 of the 2003 NBA Finals, Tim Duncan set the tone for the entire series by absolutely dominating the New Jersey Nets on both ends of the floor.
Not only did he score 32 points on only 17 shot attempts, but he led his San Antonio Spurs in assists and had more blocks than the entire Nets roster.
This performance put him on track for eye-popping Finals averages of 24.2 points, 17.0 rebounds, 5.3 blocks and 5.3 assists. He was unsurprisingly named Finals MVP for the second time in his career.
21. Jimmy Butler vs. Lakers (October 4, 2020)
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Stat line: 40 points (14-of-20 shooting), 13 assists, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals, 42.0 game score, opponent's defense ranked 3rd
Jimmy Butler's entire 2020 playoff run was the stuff of legends, but he turned his game up to perhaps its highest level in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.
With his team down to LeBron James' Lakers, 0-2, Butler dominated the more glamorous team with a 40-point triple-double and put his team back within striking distance.
Miami ultimately lost the series, but performances like this one made Butler perhaps the most memorable individual player from that postseason.
20. Devin Booker vs. Timberwolves (April 28, 2024)
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Stat line: 49 points (13-of-21 shooting), 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 43.5 game score, opponent's defense ranked 1st
The performance is sort of lost to history because it came in a loss and was the end of a sweep, but Devin Booker did whatever he could to keep the Phoenix Suns alive in Game 4 of the 2024 first round.
Against the league's top defense, he averaged well over two points per shot attempt and nearly extended the series.
It's been a bit of a bumpy ride for Booker and the organization since it made the now infamous Kevin Durant trade, but on this night, Booker reminded everyone of the absurd heights he can reach.
19. LeBron James vs. Hawks (May 9, 2009)
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Stat line: 47 points (15-of-25 shooting), 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 43.8 game score, opponent's defense ranked 12th
We often hear about the Toronto Raptors or Indiana Pacers as teams that LeBron James repeatedly took it to in the playoffs, but the Atlanta Hawks got their fair share of lumps as well.
In the second round of the 2009 playoffs, LeBron went ballistic against a Hawks team that had a decent amount of size and athleticism to throw at him with Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.
The Cavs scored 97 points in this game, meaning LeBron was responsible for well over half of their points between his own total and his eight assists.
18. James Harden vs. Warriors (May 25, 2015)
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Stat line: 45 points (13-of-22 shooting), 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals, 41.0 game score, opponent's defense ranked 1st
James Harden has taken his fair share of criticism for his playoff failures. Some of his most painful moments came against the Golden State Warriors.
But in Game 4 of the 2015 Western Conference Finals, with his Houston Rockets facing elimination, Harden more than came through.
His team ultimately fell to the juggernaut Warriors in Game 5, but not before Harden delivered one of the best individual playoff performances of his career.
17. Dirk Nowitzki vs. Spurs (May 14, 2001)
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Stat line: 42 points (14-of-24 shooting), 18 rebounds, 6 steals, 1 block, 41.3 game score, opponent's defense ranked 1st
This Dirk Nowitzki performance came in a Game 5 in which his Dallas Mavericks were shellacked by the San Antonio Spurs, but it was a glimpse at the future for the eventual MVP, champion and Finals MVP.
Against the best defense in the league, and in the slow-paced and highly physical game of the early 2000s, Dirk dropped 42 of his team's 87 points.
The performance was a breakout for the third-year budding star, who followed up this series by finishing in the top 10 of MVP voting in nine of the next 10 seasons.
16. Allen Iverson vs. Hornets (April 20, 2003)
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Stat line: 55 points (21-of-32 shooting), 8 assists, 2 steals, 44.6 game score, opponent's defense ranked 7th
Allen Iverson opened his 2003 playoff run by throwing flames against a helpless New Orleans Hornets defense (which was quite good in the regular season).
Perhaps as remarkable as anything from this particular performance is the fact that the 6'0" Iverson only took five three-point attempts.
In a game historically dominated by much larger men, AI's relentless scoring ability often took his Philadelphia 76ers much further than they had any business going.
15. Jimmy Butler vs. Bucks (April 24, 2023)
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Stat line: 56 points (19-of-28 shooting), 9 rebounds, 48.2 game score, opponent's defense ranked 10th
Another Playoff Jimmy appearance!
In this one, Butler was facing a Milwaukee Bucks team that was just two years removed from its championship run. Giannis Antetokounmpo was still widely considered to be a "best player in the world" contender.
And Butler completely dismantled his Bucks.
This wasn't quite the series clincher, but it helped Miami go up 3-1 in the first full game Giannis played in the series. And it set the tone for a Heat playoff run that made it all the way to the Finals.
14. Jayson Tatum vs. 76ers (May 14, 2023)
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Stat line: 51 points (17-of-28 shooting), 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 46.0 game score, opponent's defense ranked 8th
Jayson Tatum is responsible for much of the Philadelphia 76ers' tortured history against the Boston Celtics.
In 2023, with a chance to go to the Eastern Conference Finals on the line, Tatum scored more points than Tyrese Maxey (17), Joel Embiid (15) and James Harden (9) combined.
The Celtics weren't able to break all the way through for a Finals victory until the following year, but this was another thrilling chapter in the book of Tatum's iconic playoff performances.
13. Kevin Durant vs. Bucks (June 15, 2021)
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Stat line: 49 points (16-of-23 shooting), 17 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 50.4 game score, opponent's defense ranked 10th
It's surprising this performance didn't sneak higher up in these rankings.
It generated the second-best game score of the bunch, but happening in front of a friendly crowd and against a non-dominant defense pulled it down a bit.
Still, the raw numbers are obviously absurd. And though KD's "toe on the line" game is the more famous one from this series, this one was his best.
12. LeBron James vs. Magic (May 20, 2009)
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Stat line: 49 points (20-of-30 shooting), 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals, 44.7 game score, opponent's defense ranked 1st
Against the best defense in the NBA, one led by perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate Dwight Howard, LeBron James did everything he could to get his Cavaliers a victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Cleveland ultimately lost the game and the series. And in this era, there was plenty of hand-wringing over LeBron's inability to win the big game.
But thanks in large part to this performance, LeBron put up 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks in these Eastern Conference Finals.
11. Devin Booker vs. Lakers (June 3, 2021)
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Stat line: 47 points (15-of-22 shooting), 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 39.9 game score, opponent's defense ranked 1st
Three years before his huge performance against the T'Wolves, Devin Booker had a chance to close out LeBron's reigning champion Lakers in the first round in 2021.
And the then-24-year-old Booker delivered with 47 points and eight triples.
This was the year that the Suns made it all the way to the NBA Finals. And it was also the postseason in which Booker established himself as a perennial contender for the "best shooting guard in the league" crown.
10. LeBron James vs. Raptors (May 3, 2018)
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Stat line: 43 points (19-of-28 shooting), 14 assists, 8 rebounds, 41.6 game score, opponent's defense ranked 5th
We mentioned LeBron's dominance of the Raptors earlier in these rankings.
In the second round of the 2018 playoffs, LeBron not only swept Toronto, but he also delivered one of the best postseason performances of his career.
Although his Cavaliers ultimately lost to the Warriors in the Finals, this game was a big part of LeBron's absurd 2018 postseason averages of 34.0 points, 9.1 rebounds and 9.0 assists.
9. Jimmy Butler vs. Celtics (May 17, 2022)
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Stat line: 41 points (12-of-19 shooting), 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks, 43.2 game score, opponent's defense ranked 2nd
Spoiler alert: We still have not seen the last of Playoff Jimmy.
In this particular performance, he faced a dominant Celtics defense that ranked second in the league in 2021-22. And he delivered 41 points to kick off the Eastern Conference Finals with a win.
Injuries and that Boston defense slowed Butler a bit through the middle of the series, but nights like this are why he will long be remembered as one of the best playoff performers in league history.
8. Nikola Jokiฤ vs. Thunder (May 13, 2025)
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Stat line: 44 points (17-of-25 shooting), 15 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 42.1 game score, opponent's defense ranked 1st
Victor Wembanyama wasn't the first big man to "solve" the Oklahoma City Thunder's defense.
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokiฤ did it in 2025, when he went off for 44 points in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the eventual champs.
OKC went on to win this game and the series against the Denver Nuggets, but it wasn't because of Jokiฤ's performance.
7. Victor Wembanyama vs. Thunder (May 18, 2026)
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Stat line: 41 points (14-of-25 shooting), 24 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, 40.1 game score, opponent's defense ranked 1st
We've finally made it to the game that inspired our trip through recent NBA history: Wemby's historic takedown of the reigning champion Thunder.
All game long, but particularly in the fourth quarter and both overtimes, Wembanyama got just about everything he wanted around the basket.
6. Jimmy Butler vs. Lakers (October 9, 2020)
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Stat line: 35 points (11-of-19 shooting), 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 steals, 41.3 game score, opponent's defense ranked 3rd
Here he is again!
In the 2020 Finals, with his Heat down 3-1 to LeBron's Lakers, Playoff Jimmy erupted for a 35-point triple-double that included five steals for good measure.
As it turned out, this was Butler's last gasp for the series (he had only 12 points in L.A.'s series clincher in Game 6). But it was one heck of a last gasp to give.
5. James Harden vs. Celtics (May 7, 2023)
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Stat line: 42 points (16-of-23 shooting), 9 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 steals, 43.9 game score, opponent's defense ranked 3rd
James Harden's detractors may be surprised to see him make this list again, especially this high in the rankings.
But Harden's playoff highs are undeniably spectacular, even though they've ultimately been overshadowed by the lows.
In the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals against Boston, Harden spearheaded a Game 4 Sixers victory with this 42-point, nine-assist masterpiece.
Unfortunately, it was followed by some of those lows. Philadelphia eventually lost the series, and Harden averaged 13.0 points on 31.4 percent shooting over the final three games.
4. Vince Carter vs. 76ers (May 11, 2001)
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Stat line: 50 points (19-of-29 shooting), 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 blocks, 46.8 game score, opponent's defense ranked 5th
In 2001, Vince Carter was still very much in the "next Michael Jordan" mix.
He was coming off an age-24 campaign in which he averaged 27.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists. And in the second round of the playoffs, he matched up with Allen Iverson, who won the MVP that year.
The Sixers ultimately won the series, but Carter got the better of Iverson in Game 3. He more than doubled AI's total of 23 points that night, and the Raptors won by 24.
3. Kobe Bryant vs. Kings (May 13, 2001)
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Stat line: 48 points (15-of-29 shooting), 16 rebounds, 2 steals, 43.3 game score, opponent's defense ranked 7th
Like LeBron with the Raptors or Stephen Curry with the Rockets, the Sacramento Kings were long tormented by Kobe.
And in 2001, on his way to the second of three straight championships, Bryant closed out a sweep against the Kings in dominant fashion.
He played all 48 minutes of L.A.'s 119-113 win, totaled 48 points and hauled in 16 boards.
2. Nikola Jokiฤ vs. Timerwolves (May 14, 2024)
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Stat line: 40 points (15-of-22 shooting), 13 assists, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 43.3 game score, opponent's defense ranked 1st
There's been a lot of talk about the Minnesota Timberwolves solving the Nuggets in recent years, but it's hard to say that applies to the entire roster.
In Game 5 of the 2024 Western Conference Semifinals, Nikola Jokiฤ delivered this monster stat line against 2023-24 Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert.
Jokiฤ was a bit more contained in the last two games of the series (when he averaged 28.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists), but this particular performance was one of the best we've ever seen.
1. Jimmy Butler vs. Celtics (May 27, 2022)
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Stat line: 47 points (16-of-29 shooting), 9 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals, 45.9 game score, opponent's defense ranked 2nd
Butler may not have a championship to his name, and different criteria could drive others up these rankings. For example, Stephen Curry not having a single game inside the top 100 for game score could suggest a need to switch to box plus/minus, though that would've booted Wemby.
Either way, Butler is undoubtedly one of the best playoff performers we've ever seen. This is his fifth appearance in these rankings and third in the top 10.
In this particular game, Butler warded off elimination against a Celtics team that eventually made the Finals with 47 points and a near-triple-double.
Boston ultimately won the series, but as has been the case in almost every Butler playoff run, the team eliminating him got all it could possibly ask for.
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