Top 10 NBA performers who've yet to secure a playoff series victory
Top Ten NBA Stars Yet to Taste Playoff Victory
Step into the thrilling world of basketball’s elite, where the NBA Playoffs bring out the best in the game's top performers. Despite their stellar regular season performances, some stars have yet to claim a playoff series win. Here's a look at the ten most surprising NBA stalwarts who, as of now, have failed to make their mark in the postseason.
Read through the gallery below.
1. Maurice Stokes
Maurice Stokes, enshrined in the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame, holds the record for the fewest playoff games in a career. His story, unfortunately, took a heartbreaking turn.
In the final game of the 1957-58 regular season, Stokes suffered a serious fall, hitting his head and lapsing into unconsciousness for a few minutes. Against all advice, he returned to the game and played in Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Playoffs a few days later. Heartbreaking as it may be, following the game, Stokes fell ill on the flight to Cincinnati and was left permanently paralyzed due to post-traumatic encephalopathy.
2. Brandon Roy
Brandon Roy was a jaw-dropping star during his peak. Injuries, however, haunted him throughout his career, making him one of the most intriguing "what-if" stories. Despite some clutch moments, Roy neverhad the chance to truly shine in the playoffs. He guided the Portland Trail Blazers to three consecutive playoff appearances, but they faltered and couldn't advance beyond the first round, losing to the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks.
3. Zach LaVine
Zach LaVine has lost out in the luck department when it comes to the teams he has played for. He started his career with the middling Minnesota Timberwolves before becoming the face of a lacklustre Chicago Bulls squad. Although he managed a playoff appearance with the Bulls, they could only muster a first-round exit. Currently with the Sacramento Kings, LaVine continues his quest for his first playoff series victory, but it'll have to wait after the Kings' heartbreaking defeat in the Play-In Tournament.
4. De'Aaron Fox
De'Aaron Fox is one of the most dynamic players in clutch situations today. Before this season's trade deadline, he was also the face of the Kings, one of the cornerstones that helped put an end to the franchise's record-breaking playoff drought. Alas, he failed to secure the Kings their first series victory against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. Nevertheless, Fox should soon be able to remove himself from this list as he partners with Victor Wembanyama following his trade to the San Antonio Spurs.
5. Domantas Sabonis
Like Fox, Domantas Sabonis formed part of the Kings squad that brought an end to their playoff drought that lasted for 15 years. The son of Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis has made a name for himself in the NBA and established himself as an All-Star-caliber big man. In contrast to his father, he has yet to taste any success in the postseason, having not been able to advance past the first round.
6. Alperen Sengun
Alperen Sengun made a leap in the 2024-25 season, landing his first NBA All-Star Game appearance. Sengun has solidified himself as the cornerstone of the Houston Rockets thanks to his elite post-up play. Finally, a playoff berth becomes possible after years of elusiveness, but unfortunately, the Golden State Warriors look set to continue being a franchise tormentor, currently holding a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round matchup.
7. Cade Cunningham
Playing for a cellar-dweller like the Detroit Pistons presents its challenges. Like Sengun, Cade Cunningham has made an All-Star leap this year, pushing Detroit into a playoff appearance. However, inexperience is starting to show, as the New York Knicks also hold a formidable 3-1 series lead against Cunningham's Pistons.
8. Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen is currently leading active NBA players in the most games without a playoff appearance. He hasn't yet had the opportunity to play for a serious playoff contender nor managed to carry a team into the postseason. Currently with the Utah Jazz, it seems unlikely that he'll end his postseason absence any time soon unless he is traded.
9. Zion Williamson
Similarly to Markkanen, Zion Williamson has yet to make his playoff debut. On twice carrying the New Orleans Pelicans to the playoffs, he never saw action for the team due to various injuries. Moreover, the Pelicans couldn't maintain success in his absence in those playoff appearances.
10. LaMelo Ball
Another star yet to compete in the playoffs is LaMelo Ball. He has spent all his NBA career with the struggling Charlotte Hornets. Ball has consistently delivered impressive performances for the Hornets, but his individual success has yet to translate into consistent team victories. Given the franchise's lack of historical success, Ball might need to consider playing for a different team if he wants to experience the thrill of the postseason.
Insights:- Despite their extraordinary skills, these players have faced various challenges such as career-altering injuries, early-career challenges, untapped potential, and broader trends on their journey to securing a playoff series win.- Historically underwhelming franchises can make it difficult for even the most gifted players to taste postseason success.- The road to achieving playoff victories often requires a combination of individual brilliance, organizational stability, health, and timing.
- Despite his impressive performances in the NBA, Maurice Stokes unfortunately experienced a catastrophic injury during the 1957-58 season, leading to his permanent paralysis due to post-traumatic encephalopathy, a condition that ended his career and any chance at playoff victories.
- Brandon Roy, despite clutch moments and guiding the Portland Trail Blazers to three consecutive playoff appearances, couldn't advance beyond the first round, facing defeats at the hands of the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks, thus missing out on a playoff series victory.
- Zach LaVine's quest for a playoff series victory has been impacted by the teams he has played for, as he faced a first-round exit with the middling Minnesota Timberwolves, the lacklustre Chicago Bulls, and the Sacramento Kings after their heartbreaking defeat in the Play-In Tournament.
- De'Aaron Fox, one of the most dynamic players in clutch situations today, has yet to secure a playoff series victory, losing to Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors after ending the Sacramento Kings' record-breaking playoff drought.
- Domantas Sabonis, despite being part of a team that ended the Kings' 15-year playoff drought and establishing himself as an All-Star-caliber big man, has yet to taste playoff success, failing to advance past the first round.
