Kevin Durant Holds Highest Game 7 Scoring Average In NBA History Over LeBron And Jordan

When it comes to pressure-packed moments in NBA history, few match the intensity and finality of a Game 7. It’s where legacies are forged and true greatness rises. Among the countless stars to play under that spotlight, Kevin Durant stands alone at the top, averaging 36.2 points per game in Game 7s, the highest mark in league history.

1. Kevin Durant – 36.2 PPG (5 Games)

2. LeBron James – 34.9 PPG (8 Games)

3. Michael Jordan – 33.7 PPG (3 Games)

4. Stephen Curry – 32.6 PPG (5 Games)

5. George Gervin – 32.0 PPG (3 Games)

6. Kevin Johnson – 31.0 PPG (3 Games)

7. Jerry West – 30.9 PPG (9 Games)

8. Elgin Baylor – 29.2 PPG (9 Games)

9. Bob Pettit – 29.2 PPG (6 Games)

10. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 29.0 PPG (3 Games)

Durant’s scoring brilliance in decisive playoff games eclipses even basketball’s most iconic names. LeBron James, a four-time champion and all-time leading scorer, trails Durant with an impressive 34.9 PPG across eight Game 7s. 

Michael Jordan, whose competitive fire defined an era, ranks third with 33.7 PPG in his three career Game 7 appearances. For all their legendary status, it’s Durant who has been the most prolific scorer when everything is on the line.

Durant’s five Game 7 appearances span multiple eras and franchises, from his early days in Oklahoma City to the peak of his Brooklyn tenure. Whether surrounded by All-Stars or battling with a short-handed roster, KD has consistently delivered under pressure. 

His 48-point masterpiece against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021 remains one of the most memorable Game 7 performances ever, where his toe-on-the-line jumper nearly ended the eventual champions’ season. It was an all-time individual showing of resilience, poise, and unmatched scoring touch.

Stephen Curry, who is about to face his sixth Game 7 in a high-stakes showdown against the Houston Rockets, currently sits fourth on the list with 32.6 PPG. A big performance Sunday could propel him even closer to Durant’s throne. 

Curry has built his career on moments like this, game-changing flurries, improbable comebacks, and fearless shooting in the face of adversity. A 40-point night in Houston wouldn’t just lift the Warriors, it would elevate Curry’s legacy among the greatest Game 7 players ever.

Beyond the modern superstars, names like George Gervin (32.0), Kevin Johnson (31.0), and Jerry West (30.9) stand as reminders of how this elite club spans generations. Hall of Famers Elgin Baylor and Bob Pettit, along with current great Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.0), round out the top ten—all known for their ability to rise in pivotal moments.

Yet none have averaged more than Durant.

This statistic not only underscores KD’s scoring prowess but challenges the narratives often used to define legacy. For years, Jordan and Kobe have dominated the “clutch” conversation. 

But Durant, a two-time Finals MVP and four-time scoring champion, has quietly built one of the most dominant Game 7 résumés the league has ever seen.

As Curry gets ready to battle the Rockets in another win-or-go-home contest, eyes will be on whether he can climb closer to Durant’s mark. But no matter what happens Sunday, Kevin Durant remains the Game 7 king, an elite closer who has outscored even the greatest to ever play the game when it matters most.