We all know that LeBron James is the best player in the NBA and he’s been in the top 3 in points per game played in the NBA Finals four times. But don’t fool yourselves—his scoring is nothing special. Over the last 20 years, the 10 best scorers per game in the NBA Finals have averaged 28.4 points per game. James is currently in fourth place with 26 points per game, and only one player has scored more points than him in a single Finals series: Michael Jordan, with 27.5 points per game in three Finals series.
The NBA Finals are down to two teams, the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. They are tied 2-2, and the best-of-seven series is set to resume on May 31. Golden State is the team with a boatload of MVPs, while Cleveland has a couple of All-Star pitchers. All five Finals MVPs have been from the NBA’s biggest market, Los Angeles. So far in this series, the Cavaliers have been the more dominant team, winning two games by a combined score of 101-90.
The Golden State Warriors are one game away from winning the 2017 NBA Finals, and it has been a historic series so far. The Warriors have the highest differential between points scored and allowed in a single finals series ever (115 points), and Stephen Curry is leading the way with 25 points per game.. Read more about highest ppg in a single nba finals series and let us know what you think.
The NBA Finals is the stage where excellent players become legendary. It’s a stage when just a few men can flourish and show their value, and it’s also where you can leave your mark.
Some players have proven unstoppable in the NBA Finals throughout the league’s history. And, despite the fact that scoring a lot of points does not necessarily ensure a victory, they will go to any length to win.
Today, we’ll pay tribute to these outstanding scorers by revealing the top ten players with the most points scored in a Finals series.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (T-10) – 35.2 PPG (2021)
(Image courtesy of Brew Hoop)
Giannis Antetokounmpo is coming off one of the greatest postseason performances in NBA history. He put up 50 points and 5 blocks in a closeout game two weeks after his knee twisted the wrong way.
People questioned Giannis’ ability to succeed in the playoffs, even claiming that he had a bag or abilities. He retaliated by dominating on both ends of the court and led the Bucks to their first championship in 50 years.
Kevin Durant (T-10) averages 35.2 points per game (2017)
(Image courtesy of Blue Man Hoop)
Many people will always be envious of Kevin Durant and his achievements. Some claim that due of the superteams he’s played for, he has yet to win a’real’ ring, but this is just not true.
Durant was a key factor in the Golden State Warriors’ championships in 2017 and 2018, as shown by his 35.2 point per game average in the 2017 Finals.
Allen Iverson – 35.6 points per game (2001)
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Allen Iverson may be the most skilled player in NBA history who has never won a championship. He was an unstoppable scorer on all three levels and accomplished so much for the game and the culture.
However, Iverson’s crossovers, deft maneuvers, and seemingly limitless resources were unable to overcome Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, and the Los Angeles Lakers, and he was never able to return to the NBA Finals.
Michael Jordan (T-8) – 35.8 PPG (1998)
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Michael Jordan is the best NBA Finals performance ever. He was so talented and so dominating that he never needed to play in a Game 7 to win any of his six NBA titles.
He also owns the record for the best postseason points-per-game average (33.45) and is second all-time in NBA Finals points-per-game (33.60) This isn’t surprising.
T-8 LeBron James – 35.8 points per game (2015)
For good reason, LeBron James holds the majority of playoff-related records. Playing alongside him almost guarantees you a spot in the NBA Finals, and he’s put on some memorable performances at that level.
Finals at their best LeBron joined the Cavaliers during his three-year run against the Golden State Warriors. He could only bring home one Larry O’Brien trophy, but he did it in style, rallying from a 3-1 hole to defeat the Warriors 73-9.
Shaquille O’Neal is in sixth place with 36.3 PPG (2002)
Shaquille O’Neal was a force to be reckoned with. He had a good chance of retiring as the greatest player of all time if it weren’t for injuries, particularly given how much he stepped up in the NBA Finals.
Even though opposing defenders knew what Shaq was about to do, they couldn’t stop him. On the court, he was stronger, more athletic, quicker, and more dedicated than anybody else.
Jerry West is in fifth place with 37.9% of the vote (1969)
Jerry West was one of basketball’s earliest superstars, to the point that he -unofficially – became the league’s emblem. Regrettably, playoff success did not always follow.
Despite being a dominating two-way force in the NBA Finals, West was unable to earn a ring during his career. In fact, despite being on the losing side, he is the only player to earn Finals MVP.
Shaquille O’Neal is in fourth place with 38.0 PPG (2000)
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Shaquille O’Neal understood what it was like to lose in the NBA Finals, so he made sure he wouldn’t do it again whenever he returned. That mindset was on full show in 2000, when he scored 38.0 points per game on average.
Even while some claim Shaq was just powerful, he was much more talented and skilled than they want you to believe. He was quick, dexterous, and had exceptional footwork and post moves.
Elgin Baylor (30.6 PPG) is third (1962)
Elgin Balor has a good chance of becoming the unluckiest player to ever play in the NBA. He was the league’s best small forward and a walking bucket, yet he never won a ring.
Baylor, like West, had to deal with a period in which the Boston Celtics dominated the league, and the Lakers won the NBA Championship shortly after he retired. That’s simply a case of bad luck.
2. Rick Barry – 40.8 points per game (1967)
Remember how we mentioned Jordan had the second-highest average of points per game in NBA Finals history? Rick Barry, at 36.30 PPG, is the clear leader in this area.
Even though Barry was one of the best scorers in NBA history, he couldn’t stop the Philadelphia 76ers from capturing the NBA Championship in 1967 in only six games.
1. Michael Jordan (41.0 points per game) (1993)
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Michael Jordan, unsurprisingly, is at the top of the list. Jordan was an unstoppable scorer throughout his career, as shown by his NBA record 10 scoring titles, but the 1993 NBA Finals were his best.
Jordan was at his best from tip to finish, scoring 55 points in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, surpassing reigning MVP Charles Barkley in one of the most spectacular performances in NBA Finals history.
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It’s been an incredible series between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs jumped out early from a 2-0 series deficit and came back to win the last three games of the series. It’s been an incredible series between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs jumped out early from a 2-0 series deficit and came back to win the last three games of the series.. Read more about most points in nba finals game 7 and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the highest PPG in NBA Finals?
LeBron James has the highest PPG in the NBA Finals.
Who averaged the most points in the finals?
The player with the most points in the finals was
Who scored the most points in a playoff series?
The most points in a playoff series is 456 by the Boston Celtics.
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