Top 10 Best Players of the Second Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs
These are some of the best players of the second round of the 2021 NBA playoffs, who put up great numbers in gallant efforts to lead their teams.
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Kevin Durant
Kevin Wayne Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA. He previously starred with the Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder and the Golden State Warriors. He was named NBA Finals MVP in both 2017 and 2018 after championship seasons with the Warriors.
Kevin Durant, playing against the Bucks with little to no help, as the Nets were dealing with significant injuries to both Kyrie Irving and James Harden, went on a historic run. In seven games against Milwaukee, Durant averaged 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists.
In Game 5, Durant scored 49 points, grabbed 17 rebounds, and provided 10 assists on 70% shooting, along with 3 steals and 2 blocks. In Game 7, Durant scored 48 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists in the Nets' loss. In a series where Durant played to the best of his ability, he was let down by the remaining supporting cast and unfortunate injuries.
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Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo is a Greek professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks of the National Basketball Association. He was drafted 15th overall in the 2013 NBA Draft. He is a two-time NBA MVP and led the Bucks to an NBA Championship in 2021.
Giannis, expected to help lead the Bucks past a formidable (but injured) Nets team, came through for his team. In seven games against the Nets, Giannis averaged 32 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. He also averaged a block per game and achieved a respectable 58% shooting from the floor.
In a crucial Game 7, which went to overtime, Giannis scored 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 assists in a game that the Bucks won. Giannis proved in this series that he could come in clutch in key playoff moments and lead his team to victory.
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Chris Paul
Christopher Emmanuel Paul is an American professional basketball player and a twelve‑time NBA All‑Star. As of July 2025, he is a free agent after playing the previous season with the San Antonio Spurs, during which he started all 82 games and reached over 23,000 career points and 12,000 assists. He has... read more
Chris Paul once again proved himself to be one of the most efficient players in the league, in a convincing four-game sweep of the Denver Nuggets. In those four games, Paul averaged 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 10 assists per game, with only 1 turnover per game.
Even more incredibly, he achieved these numbers on 63% shooting from the floor and a mind-boggling 75% from 3-point range. Veteran Chris Paul finally gets his opportunity to shine in the playoffs and hopes to return to lead the Suns to the Finals.
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Paul George
Paul George (born May 2, 1990) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. He previously played for the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. George is known for his two-way play, earning multiple All-Star selections and All-Defensive... read more
Paul George, against the Utah Jazz, helped to silence any talk of the "Playoff P" of last season. In six games against the Jazz, George averaged an impressive 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, with a very respectable 42% from 3-point range.
In Game 6, George nearly achieved a triple-double, putting up 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists in a series-clinching win, moving the Clippers to the next round. If Paul George continues this impressive play, he will shed the criticisms of past playoffs and write a new chapter for his playoff history.
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Donovan Mitchell
Donovan Vernell Mitchell Jr. (born September 7, 1996) is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "Spida," he was selected in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets and was subsequently traded to... read more
Even in an ultimate series loss, Donovan Mitchell continued to impress with his stats. In six games against the Clippers, he averaged 35 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. In Game 6, Mitchell put up 39 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in a valiant effort to continue the series.
However, the Jazz were not able to get past the Clippers. Once again, Mitchell was let down by his supporting cast, and his efforts were ultimately in vain.
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Devin Booker
Devin Armani Booker, born on October 30, 1996, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an American professional basketball player. He plays as a shooting guard for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA. At age 20 in March 2017, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 70 points in a single game when he scored... read more
Devin Booker, against the Nuggets, continued his incredible level of play, helping to boost the Suns past Denver in only four games. In those four games, Booker averaged 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists. This included a 34-point performance in the final game of the series to help propel the Suns to the next round.
If Booker, as long as Paul is out, is able to maintain his high level of execution, the Suns may reach the Finals.
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Trae Young
Rayford Trae Young is an American professional basketball player. He plays for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association. Young is known for his exceptional shooting and playmaking abilities and was selected as an NBA All-Star in 2020.
Trae Young, against many people's odds, helped lead the Hawks to an amazing series victory against the 76ers. In the seven-game series, Trae Young averaged 29 points and 11 assists. This included back-to-back games in which Trae Young took over, giving the Hawks a 3-2 series lead.
In Game 4, Young scored 25 points and provided 18 assists. When Trae Young is hot, the Hawks are easily one of the best offensive teams in the NBA, and the Bucks should be worried about facing him in the next series.
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Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Anthony Leonard is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association. He has previously played for the San Antonio Spurs, with whom he won an NBA championship in 2014, and the Toronto Raptors, leading them to their first title in 2019... read more
In the four games Kawhi Leonard played against the Jazz before his injury, he was a dominating force. In those four games, he averaged 27 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, including a very impressive Game 3 performance with 34 points and 12 rebounds, in which he shot 58%.
If Leonard is able to return in the conference finals, then the Clippers have a high chance of keeping the series extremely competitive and fun to watch.
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Seth Curry
I feel bad for Seth Curry after the Sixers' loss against the Hawks. He played some of the best basketball of his life in this series, averaging 20 points per game on 60% shooting from three-point range and 62% overall. His shooting totals and efficiency were one of the only things keeping them in the series, as the offensive struggles (and Ben Simmons) plagued the team throughout.
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Terance Mann
Now, Terance Mann isn't the most well-known player. But in Game 6 against the Jazz, he put on a clinic, playing in place of Clippers star Kawhi Leonard. In 36 minutes, Mann scored 39 points, shooting 15/21, and 7/10 from 3-point range.
Not only did he provide the Clippers with a much-needed replacement, but he also helped them win the final game of the series and advance to the next round. You have to love seeing a player like Terance Mann excel in that type of situation.
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Ben Simmons
Benjamin David Simmons is an Australian professional basketball player. As of 2025, he plays for the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association. He was selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft and has earned multiple All-Star selections, as well as the NBA... read more