Top five players with most points scored in NBA playoffs

Published at :January 2, 2024 at 7:05 PM

Modified at :February 9, 2024 at 2:41 PM

(Courtesy : NBA.com/Spectrum News)

Four LA Lakers players are featured on the list.

NBA’s first-ever in-season tournament in 2023 saw the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers in the final, with LeBron James, the player with the most points scored in NBA’s playoffs and regular season history, being crowned the MVP for the tournament. With the feat, the 38-year-old became the first ever player to have won the MVP title for finals, regular season and the in-season tournament of the NBA.

King James also holds the all-time record for the most points scored in a regular season of the NBA. The 38-year-old Ohio-born athlete overtook Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s numbers in February 2023. However, the story for the top scorers in the NBA playoffs is a bit different. King James enjoyed a dominant lead over others, thus, strengthening his position in the debate of the greatest player of all time.

Before we take a deep dive at the list of the top five players with the most points scored in the playoffs, check out the NBA betting strategy here.

5. Shaquille O’Neal (5250 points)

One of the greatest of all time and arguably the most popular basketball player of his time, Shaquille O’Neal ranks fifth in the list for most points scored in the playoffs of the NBA. Shaq, as he is fondly referred to by his fans, represented Orlando Magic, and LA Lakers during his prime.

A four-time NBA champion and a three-time NBA Finals MVP, Shaquille O’Neal averaged more points per game in the playoffs than in the regular season.

4. Kobe Bryant (5640 points)

Kobe Bryant spent all his career as a Los Angeles Lakers player. The shooting guard is a five-time NBA champion. He finished the regular season as the MVP on four different occasions and was the MVP in the finals on two separate occasions. Averaging 25 points per game throughout his 19-year career, Kobe is one of the most prolific scorers the game has ever seen.

However, the reputation of the player took a big hit when he had to come out and apologise for sexually assaulting a then-19-year-old hotel staff.

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3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (5762 points)

Another Los Angeles Lakers player on the list, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is perhaps the greatest centre of all time. Kareem spent the first six seasons of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks. A six-time NBA champion (one with the Bucks and five titles with the Lakers), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was more revered for his blocking and rebound abilities.

Kareem was also a coach for several years, having worked for teams like Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers.

2. Michael Jordan (5987 points)

The only non-Los Angeles Lakers player on the list, Michael Jordan represented the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards. Michael Jordan was so good at the game that he got bored dominating it, retired to give Major League Baseball a try to fulfil his father’s dream, came back and dominated the sport for another three seasons finishing as the leader of the points scored for the season tally on each occasion.

Jordan was not just a great athlete, the 60-year-old also a great business acumen, having raised his net worth to $3 billion as of 2023, according to Forbes.

1. LeBron James (8023 points)

The undisputed king of scoring when it comes to the NBA, LeBron James leads the list for most points scored by a player in NBA playoffs. Apart from plying his trade for the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James represented the Cleveland Cavaliers in two separate stints and the Miami Heat.

LeBron James added another feather to his already loaded crown when he finished as the MVP of the NBA in-season tournament. Even at the age of 38-years-old, the King of basketball doesn’t seem to be slowing down, leading the pack in terms of points scored for the season.