2023 NBA Playoffs: 7 Best Players in the Postseason, from Jokic to Curry

The 2023 NBA playoffs have been a spectacle, with great matchups in both conferences.

Several players have turned it on in this season's playoffs. Jayson Tatum, Nikola Jokic, Jimmy Butler, and Stephen Curry had 50-point games, while Devin Booker and James Harden had 45-plus points games. So which players have been the best?

The 2023 playoffs were entertaining. De'Aaron Fox and the Sacramento Kings to the Golden State Warriors to seven games. We saw Curry rise to the occasion in Game 7 against the Sacramento Kings. Booker and Kevin Durant disappointed in Game 6 against the Nuggets.

LeBron James wasn't spectacular, but his 40 points in Game 4 against the Nuggets in the conference proved he can still do it at the top level. For that reason, Sports Brief looks at the best players in the postseason.

7 best players in the playoffs

Brunson has been phenomenal for the Knicks so far this season. He's one of the main reasons they're in the second round of the playoffs. He never scored under 20 points in the 11 playoff games he played. He averaged 27.8 points per game on 47.4% shooting from the floor. In the second round, he played at least 40 minutes in four of the six games.

In 11 playoff games, he averaged 27.8 points per game. His 41-point effort in Game 6 of the second round was not enough to force a Game 7. It is safe to say his first season with the Knicks was a resounding success.

The Celtics star was an MVP candidate this season. He was phenomenal for the Celtics. He won the All-Star game MVP trophy and became the first player in Celtics history to average 30 points in a season since the great Larry Bird. In the postseason, he was decent, but his performance in the Eastern Conference finals put a dent in a solid season.

After scoring an NBA record 51 points in Game 7 against the Sixers, Tatum had an up-and-down performance in the conference finals. Nevertheless, he was pivotal in helping the Celtics mount a comeback from 3-0 down. An ankle injury in Game 7 disrupted his rhythm. Their historic comeback against the Heat fell short.

Booker was phenomenal in the playoffs; however, he had a dismal Game 6 against the Denver Nuggets, where he scored only 12 points after scoring at least 26 points in 10 of the 11 playoff games. He was poor in Game 6 as the Nuggets destroyed them to progress.

Despite that Game 6 performance, Booker rose to the occasion with several 40-point performances with historic efficiency. The Suns are in good hands with Booker. In the 11 postseason games, Booker averaged 33.7 points per game.

Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat NBA Finals Preview: Previous matchups, key players, and schedule

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The reigning NBA Finals MVP is having another great run in the postseason so far. He's averaged 31.4 points in nine playoff games. Heck, he had a 50-point performance in a Game 7, the most a player has ever scored in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history.

Without the 35-year-old, the Golden State Warriors wouldn't be in the second round. The Warriors were eliminated by the Lakers in the second round in six games, but Curry maintained his top performances. In 13 playoff games, the 35-year-old averaged 30.5 points per game.

The Miami Heat star suffered an ankle injury against the Knicks in Game 1, which they won. His heroic performances in Round 1 helped the Heat pull off an upset against title favorites Milwaukee Bucks.

Butler's performance fell off significantly in the NBA Finals, but the Heat would not be in the finals without Butler. His leadership was instrumental in their playoff run. Even if they lose, it will be one of the greatest underdog stories in sports. He's averaged 21.8 points in the NBA Finals and 27.2 in 21 playoff games this postseason.

The Nuggets' point guard has been an excellent sidekick to two-time MVP Nikola Jokic. In 19 playoff games, the Canadian averaged 26.7 points on 47.6% shooting from the field, 5.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists.

He has silenced many doubters in the NBA world with his performances in the finals. He's averaged 23.3 points on 46.1% shooting from the floor, to go along with 5.8 rebounds and a sensational 10.5 assists. He torched the Lakers in the second round, surprising many fans. In that series, he had three 30-point games as they swept the 17-time NBA champions.

The two-time MVP finally has a healthy squad. He hasn't been spectacular but has raised his performance when needed. He's averaging 27.7 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 7.9 assists in seven playoff games. With most of the Nuggets players struggling in Game 2 versus the Suns, he took over and scored 39 points, per CBS Sports.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid beat the Serbian in the MVP battle earlier in the playoffs, and his goal is the NBA championship. Moreover, beating Kevin Durant and Devin Booker will be great for his CV. In the NBA Finals, he's averaging 30.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists. If he wins the Finals MVP, he will join a few foreign players to win the award.

Honorable mentions: Anthony Davis, Jaylen Brown, Julius Randle, James Harden, Tyrese Maxey, Gabe Vincent, Klay Thompson, Kevon Looney, Aaron Gordon

Butler: 'Playoff Jimmy,' not a thing

Butler may not want to accept the nickname, but he elevates his game in the playoffs.

He averaged 22.9 points in the regular season but now averages 35.5 points per game in the playoffs, the best in the league.