NBA tiebreaker top ten average scores in NBA history: Durant beats James to top, Curry is fourth

When it comes to stressful moments in NBA history, few games are as stressful as Game 7, and few games are as decisive as Game 7. Here, legends are created and true greatness is born. Among countless shining stars, Kevin Durant is the leader, averaging 36.2 points in the seventh game, setting a league record.

1. Kevin Durant – 36.2 points per game (5 games)

2. LeBron James – 34.9 points per game (8 games)

3. Michael Jordan – 33.7 points per game (3 games)

4. Stephen Curry – 32.6 points per game (5 games)

5. George Gervin – 32.0 points per game (3 games)

6. Kevin Johnson – 31.0 points per game (3 games)

7. Jerry West – 30.9 points per game (9 games)

8. Elgin Baylor – 3 29.2 points (9 games)

9. Bob Pettit – 29.2 points (6 games)

10. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 29.0 points (3 games)

Durant’s scoring talent in key playoff games overshadowed even the greatest players in basketball. Four-time champion and historical scoring champion LeBron James averaged 34.9 points per game in eight tiebreak games, second only to Durant.

Michael Jordan, whose competitive fighting spirit defines an era, averaged 33.7 points per game in three tiebreaks in his career, ranking third. Although they are all legends, Durant is the player who scored the most points at critical moments.

Durant's five tiebreakers spanned multiple eras and teams, from his early days in Oklahoma City to his peak in Brooklyn. Whether surrounded by the All-Star lineup or under insufficient manpower, Durant can continue to perform under pressure.

His masterpiece of scoring 48 points against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 is still one of the most memorable tiebreakers in history, with his toes almost ending the final championship season. This is an unprecedented personal expression, showing resilience, calmness and an unparalleled scoring feel.

Stephen Curry is about to usher in his sixth tiebreak game in his career, and this key showdown will face the Houston Rockets. Currently, he ranks fourth on the list with an average of 32.6 points per game. Sunday's outstanding performance will take him one step closer to Durant's throne.

Curry's career is built on moments like this: an outbreak that changes the game, an incredible reversal, and a fearless shooting in adversity. Scoring 40 points in Houston not only inspires the Warriors, but also elevates Curry to the greatest tiebreaker in history.

In addition to modern superstars, names such as George Gervin (32.0 points per game), Kevin Johnson (31.0 points per game) and Jerry West (30.9 points per game) also remind us how this elite team has spanned generations. Hall of Fame members Elgin Baylor and Bob Petit, as well as active superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.0) are in the top 10 – they are all known for their ability to rise at critical moments.

However, no one has scored more than Durant per game.

This data not only highlights Durant's scoring ability, but also challenges the claims that people usually use to define legends. Jordan and Kobe have been leading the discussion of "critical moments" for years.

But Durant, the two-time Finals MVP and four-time scoring champion, quietly created one of the most dominant tiebreaker experiences in league history.

As Curry prepares to compete with the Rockets in another "unpredictable" game, people will wait and see if he can get closer to Durant's record. But no matter what the outcome of Sunday's game is, Kevin Durant remains the king of tiebreakers, an elite terminator who scored even more than the greatest player in history at a critical moment.