No player has averaged 40 points per game in a playoff

Kitu11

Is it really difficult to average 40 points per game in a playoff series? NBA's current members say 'very difficult'! Why? Because there hasn't been a player averaging 40 points in a playoff series for 30 years in the NBA, last achieved by Jordan in 1993. Even now, the highest average hasn't reached 40 points. Today, let's take a look at the current players with the highest averages in playoff series.

1st: LeBron James, 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, lost 2-4 to the Magic, averaged 38.5 points!
In 2009, the Cavaliers swept the Pistons 4-0 in the first round and the Hawks 4-0 in the second round. The Magic also swept the 76ers 4-2 in the first round and defeated the Celtics 4-3 in the second round. The Cavaliers finished the regular season with a record of 66 wins and 16 losses, securing the top spot in the league. Many expected a showdown between #23 and #24. However, the Cavaliers completely failed in the Eastern Conference Finals. After the fourth game, the Magic took a 3-1 lead, and there was no suspense in the series. Although LeBron James scored 37 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists in the fifth game to pull one back, Howard's 40 points and 14 rebounds in the sixth game ended the series!

2nd: Russell Westbrook, 2017 first round, lost 1-4 to the Rockets, averaged 37.4 points!
The 2017 season was Westbrook's MVP year. The competition between Westbrook and Harden in the regular season was intense, attracting a lot of media and fan attention to their direct confrontation in the first round of the playoffs. In the end, Harden won with an average of 33.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Westbrook maintained his pride with an average of 37.4 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 10.8 assists, but with a slightly lower shooting percentage of 38.8%!

3rd: Stephen Curry, 2019 Western Conference Finals, swept the Trail Blazers 4-0, averaged 36.5 points!
This year, the Warriors' biggest opponent was the Houston Rockets in the semifinals. Even with Durant injured and absent, the Warriors easily swept the Trail Blazers 4-0. Curry scored 36, 37, 36, and 37 points in the four games, showing consistent performance!

4th: Donovan Mitchell, 2020 first round, lost 3-4 to the Nuggets, averaged 36.3 points!
Mitchell averaged 24 points in the regular season. In the first round against the Nuggets, there was no defense, especially with Gobert struggling with defense, resulting in a significant drop in defensive data. In the end, Mitchell and Murray contributed 50+ three times in the series, a rare occurrence in decades!

5th: LeBron James, 2017 Eastern Conference Semifinals, swept the Raptors 4-0, averaged 36 points!
Before this year's finals, the Western Warriors swept their opponents 12-0 in three series, while the Eastern Cavaliers lost 12-1 to the Celtics. Especially in the series against the Raptors, LeBron James suddenly became hot from the outside, shooting a 48.1% three-point shooting percentage. In the end, he won four consecutive games, and the Raptors couldn't counterattack against the Cavaliers!

Even after so many years, no one has been able to break the record of averaging 40 points in a playoff series. It seems really challenging.

Jafar224

Among NBA stars, Jordan is a unique presence.

Isha000

The reason basketball superstars haven't scored 40 points in series games is not a decline in the superstars' own skills but changes in NBA rules.

Yamini003

It seems really difficult to score over 40 points in every game.

Ritu13

These are all top-notch players, real experts

Samiksha

Ultimately, the process has to be entertaining. If you keep scoring through free throws, even if you get more points, the audience may find it boring.