NBA · 1 year ago

Ranking the Top 10 Players in the NBA Playoffs Right Now

John Canady

Host · Writer

10) Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown has been one of the more consistent players for the Celtics during the team's first two rounds. Boston has one of the best squads in the league, and the C's have plenty of scoring options, but Brown has constantly been a reliable and focal point of the offense for the Celtics. Brown is averaging 23.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and two assists in seven games. Brown will be vital to the Celtics postseason run if Boston hopes to win their 18th championship.

Boston Celtics Odds

-8 at Cleveland (SAT)

NBA Championship -115
1) Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson has undoubtedly been the best player in the postseason so far. The Knicks star has single-handedly elevated New York as a whole. Taking out the 76ers in the first round and now leading his squad to a controlling 2-0 lead over the Pacers, Brunson has been on another level throughout the playoffs. Averaging 35.5 points, nine assists, and 4.5 rebounds through eight games, the Villanova product has shown why the Knicks paid big money to land him in free agency last year. At one point, the 27-year-old scored over 40 points in four straight games. The Knicks will be hard to defeat if he continues his dominant play.

New York Knicks Odds

+7 vs. at Indiana (FRI)

NBA Championship +1500
2) Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokic earned his third MVP award this season, and throughout the postseason, he’s proven he’s not just a regular-season performer. Jokic is averaging 28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists through the first seven playoff games for the Nuggets. Although Denver currently faces an uphill battle down 0-2 against the Timberwolves, with the MVP leading the way, the Nuggets won’t go down without a fight.
3) Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Edwards has taken the playoffs by storm through the first two rounds. After the Timberwolves swept the Suns, all eyes shifted to Minnesota. Now, up 2-0 on Denver, the Wolves are one of only two teams in the postseason that have yet to lose a game. In that stretch, Edwards has averaged 31 points, eight rebounds, 6.3 assists, and two steals. Edwards impacts both sides of the floor and makes the case that he’s the best two-way player in the league. Looking ahead, Minnesota will go as far as their young superstar leads him, and with no signs of slowing down, it could be to the NBA Finals.

Minnesota Timberwolves Odds

-3.5 vs. Denver (FRI)

NBA Championship +300
4) Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Each season, Luka Doncic has proven to be one of the best players in the NBA. And throughout the postseason, the Slovenian native continues to showcase that. Doncic is averaging 29.8 points, 9.5 assists, and 8.8 rebounds through the first two rounds, and he’s helped lift the Mavericks to another level. If the 25-year-old can manage to lead his team past the Thunder, the Mavs have the talent to get over the hump.
5) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder may be one of the more pleasant surprises in the league this season. As one of the youngest teams in the NBA and amid a rebuild, the Thunder managed to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. After sweeping the Pelicans in round one, Oklahoma City proved they’re no longer to be considered a rebuilding team but a young contender. And leading the charge has been Gilgeous-Alexander. In five games, the Canadian is averaging 27.3 points, six rebounds, and five assists.

Oklahoma City Thunder Odds

+3 at Dallas (SAT)

NBA Championship +800
6) Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks
Kyrie Irving has been one of the more consistent players in this year's postseason. The backcourt duo of Irving and Doncic has elevated the Mavericks to another level, especially this season after Dallas added talent around the two stars. Irving is averaging 26.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in the first seven games of the postseason. Irving is arguably playing some of the best basketball of his career, and if he continues to play at this level, the Mavs could be a dark horse in the West.
7) Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers
Donovan Mitchell single-handedly elevated the Cavaliers over the Magic in the first round of the playoffs. Cleveland struggled to find consistency on offense outside of Mitchell. However, the Louisville alum did what he’s done his whole career and helped carry the load for his team. Cleveland will have to continue to follow the lead of their star and hope the supporting cast around him can contribute more if the Cavs hope to upset the Boston Celtics.
8) Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Jayson Tatum has dealt with some early offensive struggles since the start of the playoffs. However, despite the poor shooting, the Celtics star has continuously made the right plays and set his teammates up for success, all while making timely buckets when needed. Not to mention how much of a defensive threat he’s been for Boston through seven games. Tatum is averaging 21.7 points, 10 rebounds, and 5.4 assists up to this point, and if he can find his rhythm again, he could lift the C’s offense to another level, especially when Kristaps Porzingis returns.
9) Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray has shown that when the postseason arrives, he plays at his best. Last season, he was a massive part of the Nuggets championship run, and this year he hopes to help Denver do it again. However, Murray and the Nuggets currently face a 2-0 deficit against the Timberwolves entering Game 3. If the team hopes to turn things around, they'll need their star guard to have big performances. Nonetheless, through seven games, Murray is averaging 23.6 points, 7.2 assists and 4.6 rebounds. Fortunately for Nuggets' fans, the Kentucky product plays his best basketball when his back is against the wall like it is right now.
10) Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Jaylen Brown has been one of the more consistent players for the Celtics during the team's first two rounds. Boston has one of the best squads in the league, and the C's have plenty of scoring options, but Brown has constantly been a reliable and focal point of the offense for the Celtics. Brown is averaging 23.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and two assists in seven games. Brown will be vital to the Celtics postseason run if Boston hopes to win their 18th championship.

Boston Celtics Odds

-8 at Cleveland (SAT)

NBA Championship -115
1) Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson has undoubtedly been the best player in the postseason so far. The Knicks star has single-handedly elevated New York as a whole. Taking out the 76ers in the first round and now leading his squad to a controlling 2-0 lead over the Pacers, Brunson has been on another level throughout the playoffs. Averaging 35.5 points, nine assists, and 4.5 rebounds through eight games, the Villanova product has shown why the Knicks paid big money to land him in free agency last year. At one point, the 27-year-old scored over 40 points in four straight games. The Knicks will be hard to defeat if he continues his dominant play.

New York Knicks Odds

+7 vs. at Indiana (FRI)

NBA Championship +1500

Ranking the Top 10 Players in the NBA Playoffs Right Now

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