Top 10 Playoff Performances in NBA History

10.  Shaquille O'Neal : 2000 NBA Finals, Game 1

Maybe the most dominant force in NBA history the Diesel Shaquille O'Neal had a dominant performance against the Pacers in Game 1 of the 2000 NBA finals this game really set the tone for the whole series. The "Big Aristotle" was too much for Rik Smits and Dale Davis of the Pacers. Shaq finished with 43 points, 19 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Lakers would take the series in six it was the first of three straight titles for Los Angeles. 

9. LeBron James: 2012 Eastern Conference finals, Game 6

Down 3-2 going back to Boston, Miami was on the ropes had into Game 6 in the Eastern Conference but LeBron James wasn't ready to go home without the fight. James played one of his best games of his career in the playoffs scoring in all type of ways post ups, pull up jumpers, three pointers, drives and more. James finished 45 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists in a incredible performance that silent the Boston Garden crowd. The Heat went onto win the series and the NBA championship first for LeBron James.

8. Hakeem Olajuwon: 1987 Western Conference semis, Game 6

When you think about some of the best playoff performances in NBA history most of them result in a win but not in this case. In Game 6 of the Western Conference semis, The Dream, Hakeem Olajuwon had incredible performance even in a losing effort the Seattle SuperSonics went on beat the Rockets 128-125 in double overtime and the loss knocked the Rockets from the playoffs. But Olajuwon's brilliant 49 point, 25 rebound, 6 block game is certainly one of the top ten performance in NBA history.

7. Charles Barkley: 1994 Western Conference First Round, Game 3

Sir Charles Barkley is now known for his TV personality on TNT and some people may forget how good Barkley really was as a top 50 NBA player of all time. Against the Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, Charles Barkley put on one of the best offensive performance of all time. Barkley went an incredible 74 percent from the field, 75 percent on 3s and 77 percent from the free throw line finished with 56 points and 14 rebounds in the 140-133 win against the Warriors.

6. Michael Jordan: 1998 NBA Finals Game 6

Everyone remembers this game for Jordan's "push-off and pose" jumper on Jazz's Bryon Russell. This game was Jordan being Jordan no another way you can put.Jordan dropped up 45 points on 15-of-35 shooting and, in typical Jordan fashion, was money down the stretch as always. As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Jordan scored on a drive, stole the ball from Karl Malone and then offered his iconic game-winning shot that we all know and love to earn the 1998 NBA championship. 

5. James Worthy: 1988 NBA Finals, Game 7

It doesn't get any bigger than Game 7 of the NBA Finals, and this is really where "Big Game" James earned his nickname. Playing for the title at home against the "Bad Boys Pistons", Worthy had triple double 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. Worthy's first triple-double was good enough to lead the Lakers to back-to-back championships and earn him the 1988 NBA Finals MVP award. 

4. LeBron James: 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, Game 6

This is probably LeBron's best game every he as scored 29 of the Cavaliers' final 30 points against the Pistons at The Palace to carry his team to within a game of the NBA Finals. In this double-overtime thriller, James attacked the rim time and time again, throwing down numerous thunderous dunks. James finished with 48 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and two steals. 

3. Micheal Jordan: 1986 Eastern Conference first round, Game 2

"That was God disguised as Michael Jordan." Larry Bird said that after Jordan put up 63 points on the Celtics in a double-overtime, first-round playoff game at the Boston Garden in 1986. Jordan had been out almost the entire year with a broken foot but returned late in the season to get the Bulls into the playoffs. The series went the minimum, as the eventual champs swept Chicago, but Jordan's spectacular performance set a playoff scoring record that still stands today and all know that was just the beginning!

Now #1 and #2 can be the debate back and fourth these two are just not the best two games in NBA playoff history but two of the greatest games ever played in the NBA history period!

2. Magic Johnson: NBA Finals, Game 6

With MVP center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar out of the lineup with an ankle injury, things didn't look great for the Lakers heading to Philadelphia for Game 6 of the 1980 NBA Finals. That's when Magic Johnson uttered his famous line, "Never fear ... E.J. is here." The Lakers' rookie point guard started at center in Game 6 and drove L.A. to the series-clinching victory over the Sixers. Johnson stuffed the stat sheet with 42 points, 15 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 block and 3 steals. Showtime was born!

1. Micheal Jordan: NBA Finals, Game 5

This is Michael Jordan's legendary "Flu Game" against the Utah Jazz from the 1997 NBA Finals. Jordan was clearly ill, which today some people including his trainer think he was poisoned, when he came to play the night of Game 5. He got off to a very slow start and the Jazz built a double-digit first-half lead. But as the game wore on, Jordan started to stack up points, despite obvious health issues, and led the Bulls back into contention. The Bulls edged out the Jazz in Game 5 and ended up winning the championship in six games. This game was the greatest display of determination and will ever seen in sports.