Listing the Top 10 Surprising Standout Performances in the NBA Playoffs

The Unheralded Heroes in the NBA Spotlight

When the NBA Playoffs roll around, the focus is usually on the big names. But in these high-stakes contests, every player needs to give their all. This creates opportunities for the least-played players to shine unexpectedly. Here's a countdown of the top 10 most random breakout NBA playoff performances.

1. Bismack Biyombo (Game 3 of 2016 Eastern Conference Finals)

Facing a 2-0 deficit against the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers, the Toronto Raptors desperately needed help. Enter Bismack Biyombo, who stepped up when called upon. Despite scoring only seven points, Biyombo set a franchise record with 26 rebounds. In a previous role, he was a borderline starter at best. But in this game, he filled in admirably for an injured starter.

2. Timofey Mozgov (Game 4 of 2015 Finals)

LeBron James had led his team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, to the NBA Finals. However, with injuries to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, they were severely depleted. Mozgov, a Russian center, was their best option in the paint. While his 28 points and 10 rebounds weren't enough for a win, his performance was admirable.

3. Shaun Livingston (Game 1 of 2016 Finals)

Once derailed by a severe knee injury, Shaun Livingston proved he still had a lot to offer in the 2016 NBA Finals. In the series opener, he scored 20 points on an impressive 8-of-10 shooting, contributing significantly to the Golden State Warriors' victory.

4. Reggie Jackson (Game 4 of 2014 First Round)

With Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook struggling, the Oklahoma City Thunder needed someone to step up. That person was Reggie Jackson, who delivered a surprising 32 points in a tight win against the Memphis Grizzlies.

5. Meyers Leonard (Game 4 of 2019 Western Conference Finals)

Once a first-round draft pick, Meyers Leonard hadn't fulfilled his potential. But in the 2019 Western Conference Finals, he showed his capabilities, scoring 30 points and pulling down 12 rebounds in a valiant effort. Despite his best efforts, the Portland Trail Blazers were swept.

6. Daniel Gibson (Game 6 of 2007 Eastern Conference Finals)

A rookie at the time, Gibson seized his moment when LeBron James was exhausted. He scored 31 points, including 5-of-5 from beyond the arc, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a series-clinching victory over the Detroit Pistons.

7. Brian Scalabrine (Game 5 of 2004 Eastern Conference Finals)

Known more for his outspokenness off the court, Brian Scalabrine showed his worth in Game 5 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals. He scored 17 points, all from three-point range, to help the New Jersey Nets take a series lead.

8. Leon Powe (Game 2 of 2008 NBA Finals)

The Boston Celtics, with their big three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, were favorites against the Los Angeles Lakers. But Leon Powe, a second-year power forward, surprised everyone with his 21 points off the bench in Game 2.

9. Russell Westbrook (Game 7 of 2025 First Round)

By 2025, Russell Westbrook was past his prime. However, in Game 7 of the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers, he delivered a vintage performance with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five steals in just 27 minutes. This was a first in NBA Playoff history.

10. Mike Miller (Game 5 of 2012 Finals)

Known for his three-point shooting, Mike Miller stunned everyone with his performance in Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals. Fresh from injury, he scored 23 points, going 7-of-8 from beyond the arc, to help the Miami Heat clinch the championship.

These performances demonstrate that in the unpredictable world of the NBA Playoffs, underdogs can shine when given the chance. They remind us that every player has a role to play and that every game is crucial.

The Toronto Raptors' Bismack Biyombo, an unassuming player, broke records with 26 rebounds in Game 3 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Finals, despite scoring only seven points.
In a depleted Cleveland Cavaliers team due to injuries, Timofey Mozgov, a Russian center, managed 28 points and 10 rebounds in Game 4 of the 2015 Finals.
Shaun Livingston, once thought to be derailed by a career-threatening injury, scored 20 points in the 2016 NBA Finals' Game 1, contributing significantly to the Golden State Warriors' victory.
Reggie Jackson stepped up for the Oklahoma City Thunder when Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook struggled, delivering a surprising 32 points in Game 4 of the 2014 First Round.
Meyers Leonard, who hadn't fulfilled his potential as a first-round draft pick, scored 30 points and pulled down 12 rebounds in the 2019 Western Conference Finals.
Daniel Gibson seized his moment when LeBron James was exhausted in Game 6 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Finals, scoring 31 points, including 5-of-5 from beyond the arc.
Brian Scalabrine, more known for his outspokenness off the court, scored 17 points, all from three-point range, in Game 5 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals.
Leon Powe, a second-year power forward, surprised everyone with his 21 points off the bench in Game 2 of the 2008 NBA Finals.
In a surprising comeback, Russell Westbrook, past his prime in 2025, delivered a vintage performance in Game 7 of the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and five steals in just 27 minutes.
Mike Miller, famed for his three-point shooting, stunned everyone with his performance in Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals, scoring 23 points, going 7-of-8 from beyond the arc, to help the Miami Heat clinch the championship.

These unexpected breakout performances in the NBA Playoffs serve as a reminder that every player has a role to play, and every game is crucial in the unpredictable world of basketball.