Kevin Durant’s Greatest Playoff Performances: A Deep Dive

Kevin Durant has delivered some of the most electrifying playoff performances in NBA history, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest scorers the game has ever seen.

[{"selector":"#anim-5ef06978-730e-4791-ae43-0f873896c50e","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -286.84808%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -80.661680096%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -27.422676448%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -10.297846072%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -4.474830047999999%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":600,"fill":"both"}]

His 2017 NBA Finals performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers remains iconic, as he averaged 35.2 points per game on an astonishing 55.6% shooting,

[{"selector":"#anim-be51fed1-75ec-49f9-b21e-81b7a05a2a05","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

earning his first Finals MVP while leading the Golden State Warriors to a championship. The dagger three-pointer over LeBron James in Game 3 became an unforgettable moment, symbolizing his dominance.

[{"selector":"#anim-b5637c70-6b8d-457e-9a31-68c8977457b8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fed5faab-632b-4387-860a-70d28dac9cf4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-119.59459%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

In 2018, Durant once again rose to the occasion in the Finals, averaging 28.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, securing back-to-back championships and Finals MVP awards.

[{"selector":"#anim-172d1722-ebe8-47b0-a9bd-71c962f91005","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bf9aa491-4d8f-4929-9dd0-2afd4e0941d3","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -259.22705%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Perhaps his most awe-inspiring playoff game came in 2021, when he single-handedly carried the Brooklyn Nets against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals,

[{"selector":"#anim-6ae489b0-e2da-46a3-bf2f-1e1565b9754a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-896605f6-f373-4a81-b97b-6334a83204b0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 159.22705%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

dropping 49 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists while playing all 48 minutes, showcasing an unmatched level of skill and endurance.

[{"selector":"#anim-86fa8fd1-9fb1-437a-997b-34e3c2dd8e59","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}]

Despite injuries and roster challenges, Durant has consistently delivered in crucial moments, including his 50-point masterpiece against the LA Clippers in the 2019 first round and his 43-point performance against the Cavs in the 2018 Finals.

[{"selector":"#anim-f3f65fef-9abf-4e21-a58d-02407c6ed246","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.66666%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3703766d-00a6-4ca1-a4c5-12d472a54590","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(-180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}]

His versatility, efficiency, and clutch play make him one of the most feared playoff performers of all time.

[{"selector":"#anim-6e52d2df-6260-4eee-8a3e-756b8825ca5f","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-540deg) scale(0.1)","none"],"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"fill":"both","iterations":1}]

stay connected Learn more