NBA · 1 hour ago

2026 NBA Playoffs: Top 10 Players in the Playoffs Right Now

Joe Cervenka

Host · Writer

Have Your Say on the top 10 Stars in the 2026 NBA Playoffs
We've seen a sweep and quick series in the West, while the Eastern Conference has been as unpredictable as ever. The stars have shown up as they do in the NBA, but maybe you think someone else should be in the top 10.

Join the Debate: Who’s Your Top 3?
- The SGA Factor: Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander currently the most unguardable player in the league, or are you still taking a healthy superstar over his relentless mid-range game?
- The Injury Ripple Effect: With Anthony Edwards out for multiple weeks, are the Timberwolves officially dead in the water, or is there enough depth to hold on against Denver?
- The Alien Ascent: Is Victor Wembanyama already too low? After leading the Spurs to a second-round berth while putting the Blazers in a blender, is he already the best player on the planet?
- The Boston Civil War: The Kalshi odds favor Jayson Tatum (29%), but Jaylen Brown (21%) has been an elite offensive engine. Who is your ECF MVP pick as the series against Philly heads toward a climax?
- The Maxey Takeover: Is Tyrese Maxey officially the best player in Philadelphia right now after his Game 5 masterpiece that pulled the Sixers closer, down 3-2 to the Celtics?
Drop your picks in the comments and let us know your top 10!
The Postseason Meat Grinder: Ranking the NBA’s Top 10 Playoff Titans
The opening rounds of the 2026 postseason have already functioned as a total meat grinder, exposing who spent the season getting comfortable and who was actually built for the playoff pressure.

The standard for greatness has shifted, and the postseason crucible has already claimed its first massive victim. Anthony Edwards has officially been dropped from our rankings after a devastating hyperextension in his left knee; with Ant-Man expected to miss multiple weeks, the entire landscape of the Western Conference has been put on tilt.

Between Victor Wembanyama's return and dominance in San Antonio and LeBron James turning back the clock to vintage form in Los Angeles, the floor for elite status has never been higher.
10. Jalen Johnson
F, Atlanta Hawks

Jalen Johnson has emerged as one of the most versatile forwards in the NBA, putting up an impressive 22.5 PPG, 10.3 RPG, and 7.9 APG during the regular season. His ability to grab a rebound and ignite the break has made the Hawks a nightmare to scout. His skills were on full display as Atlanta bounced back against the New York Knicks in Game 2 to tie the series at 1-1. All Johnson did was drop 29 points and seven dimes to help power an unexpected comeback win.

As long as he’s dominating like this, the Hawks remain a matchup nightmare with the kind of high-ceiling gravity that keeps opposing managers awake at night. Through five postseason games, Johnson is currently averaging 19.2 PPG and 7.6 REB, maintaining a heavy workload of over 36 minutes per night to keep Atlanta in the fight.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: Under 1%
9. LeBron James
G/F, Los Angeles Lakers

The King of Los Angeles remains the undisputed engine for the Lakers. LeBron James has led Los Angeles to a shocking 3-1 series lead over the heavily favored Houston Rockets. Despite being the league's oldest and slowest player, James is turning back the clock to vintage playoff LeBron, averaging a massive 39 MPG.

Managing this high-IQ onslaught without the help of Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves proves that the King's impact is nothing short of a miracle (if it weren't LeBron). As long as he’s dominating like this, Houston's in trouble with help on the way in Reaves. Through four postseason games, he is averaging 21.5 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 8.8 APG, maintaining a massive workload to keep the Lakers' title hopes alive.

WCF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 3%
8. Tyrese Maxey
G, Philadelphia 76ers

Tyrese Maxey carried the Sixers through the Play-In with a 31-point masterpiece to secure the No. 7 seed. Throughout the regular season, he was a relentless scoring machine, averaging 28.3 PPG and 6.6 APG while logging a massive 38.0 minutes per game. His ability to dictate the pace from the perimeter while maintaining a 46.2 FG% established him as one of the most dangerous offensive engines in the NBA.

Against the Boston Celtics in the first round, Maxey has proven that trusting the process means trusting him as the best player on the floor. His team-high nine assists and 29 points powered Philly to a shocking Game 2 upset in Boston, and he has only accelerated since. With Philadelphia now trailing 3-2 in the series following his 25-point, 10-rebound double-double in Game 5, Maxey's elite two-way play and high basketball IQ have him outperforming even the most seasoned stars in the bracket.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: Under 1%
7. Cade Cunningham
G, Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons secured the No. 1 seed in the East, and Cade Cunningham is the primary driver of this historic 60-win turnaround. After a regular season where he averaged 23.9 PPG and a staggering 9.9 APG (second in the NBA), Cade has solidified himself as the ultimate floor general. His poise, size, and toughness at the guard position are reminiscent of the all-time greats and perfectly suited for the grit of Motown.

Cunningham has refused to shrink in the postseason, even as Detroit faces a daunting 3-1 series deficit against the Orlando Magic. Through four playoff games, he has elevated his scoring to a lethal 29.5 PPG while carrying a massive workload of 39.5 minutes per night. Despite the postseason pressure intensifying, Cade’s ability to make an impact on the scoring and playmaking (7.5 APG) remains the unshakable engine that powers the Pistons' hopes of a historic comeback.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 5%
6. Jalen Brunson
G, New York Knicks

The King of New York remains the undisputed steady hand for the Knicks. Jalen Brunson’s regular season campaign, averaging 26.0 PPG and 6.8 APG, was the engine that propelled New York to the third seed in a competitive Eastern Conference. Known for his gritty work ethic, Brunson is currently carving up the Atlanta Hawks defense.

Through five postseason games, he has elevated his scoring to average a lethal 28.2 PPG, proving once again that he is a matchup nightmare when the lights are brightest. His impact was nothing short of dominant in the Game 5 victory, where he torched Atlanta for a game-high 39 points and eight assists to put the Knicks on the brink of the second round. As long as Brunson is dictating the terms of engagement, the Knicks are a threat to anyone in the bracket.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 15%
5. Jayson Tatum
F, Boston Celtics

Jayson Tatum’s season has been a profile in resilience. After coming back early from a season-ending injury suffered in the 2025 playoffs, he continues to look more and more like his former NBA Finals MVP self every day. With 16 regular-season games under his belt to shake off the rust, he found his rhythm just in time for a deep playoff run, finishing the 2026 regular season averaging a double-double of 21.8 PPG and 10.0 RPG.

Despite a surprising home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 2, Tatum put the league on notice by nearly recording a triple-double with 19 points, 14 boards, and nine assists. He is averaging 24.6 PPG, 10.6 RPG and 7.6 APG in the series.

While Boston navigates a tight series, his high-IQ play and ability to dictate the terms of engagement remain the engine of the Celtics' lineup. Even with the series setback, Tatum remains the primary target for hardware, currently leading the ECF MVP field on Kalshi.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 29% (Favorite)
4. Jaylen Brown
G, Boston Celtics

With various injuries hitting the Celtics' roster this year, Jaylen Brown stepped up to post career-high scoring numbers. His 28.7 PPG proved his status as an elite offensive engine, and his efficiency remained high at 47.7 FG% throughout the regular season. Brown has carried that momentum into the postseason against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Despite a heavy 41-minute load in the Game 5 defeat, the series remains in Boston's control at 3-2. JB’s ability to dictate the terms of engagement was most evident in Game 2, where he led all scorers with 36 points. Through five postseason games, he is currently averaging 25.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, and 1.2 SPG. Brown’s aggressive downhill scoring, defensive intensity, and elite basketball IQ power Boston's hopes of returning to the Finals.

ECF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 21%
3. Victor Wembanyama
F/C, San Antonio Spurs

The Alien has officially landed in the postseason, and the results are terrifying for the rest of the league. After a dominant regular season where he averaged 25.0 PTS, 11.5 REB, and a league-leading 3.1 BLK, Victor Wembanyama has made the leap from generational prospect to a certified playoff closer. By dismantling the Trail Blazers in a 4-1 series rout, Wembanyama has led the San Antonio Spurs to the second round, joining OKC as the only teams to punch their tickets early this postseason.

In the Game 5 clincher, he put on a defensive masterclass with six blocks and 14 rebounds, dictating the terms of engagement with a +20 plus-minus. His efficiency is even more frightening than his length; shooting 71.4% from the field in a close-out game proves that the 22-year-old’s internal clock is already light-years ahead of schedule. Whether he's patrolling the paint or handling the rock like a guard, the Spurs' engine is currently firing on all cylinders as they wait for their next victim.

WCF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 24%
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
G, Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder have officially arrived as the top seed in the West, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the engine making it all go. SGA finished the regular season with an incredible 31.1 PPG on a hyper-efficient 55.3 FG%, proving he is the most unstoppable mid-range force in the game today. The Canadian's innate ability to manipulate defenses and get to his spots makes him the clear-cut heir to the throne. Don't forget, Shai plays stellar D to add a cherry on top of the Thunder pie. The soon-to-be back-to-back NBA MVP added 2026 Clutch Player of the Year to his growing resume.

Shai powered OKC to a sweep over the Suns in the first round on the strength of some nasty numbers. His 33.8 PPG on 55% shooting to go along with 8.0 APG helped the Thunder become the first team to the second round.

WCF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 60%
1. Nikola Jokic
C, Denver Nuggets

He may not win MVP every year, but if the Association didn't have awards fatigue, spreading it around, he just might. We keep saying Nikola Jokic is having a career year, and how can you argue against it? It's just so hard to quantify, because he does ish like this every year. The 2023 NBA Final MVP led the league in rebounding (12.9 RPG) and assists (10.7 APG), a feat in itself that is MVP-worthy for anyone, never mind a center. Add in a 27.7 PPG clip, and the Joker is still the best weapon in the NBA. The Minnesota Timberwolves found out in Game 1 when Joker put up a 25-point, 13-rebound, 11-assist triple double, while shooting a blistering 58% from the field. Even though the T'wolves have a series lead, Jokic (yawn) has two triple doubles in the series and missed a third by one assist. SGA may be the MVP, but there is no one on planet Earth like Nikola.

WCF MVP Kalshi Implied Probability: 6%
Have Your Say on the top 10 Stars in the 2026 NBA Playoffs
We've seen a sweep and quick series in the West, while the Eastern Conference has been as unpredictable as ever. The stars have shown up as they do in the NBA, but maybe you think someone else should be in the top 10.

Join the Debate: Who’s Your Top 3?
- The SGA Factor: Is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander currently the most unguardable player in the league, or are you still taking a healthy superstar over his relentless mid-range game?
- The Injury Ripple Effect: With Anthony Edwards out for multiple weeks, are the Timberwolves officially dead in the water, or is there enough depth to hold on against Denver?
- The Alien Ascent: Is Victor Wembanyama already too low? After leading the Spurs to a second-round berth while putting the Blazers in a blender, is he already the best player on the planet?
- The Boston Civil War: The Kalshi odds favor Jayson Tatum (29%), but Jaylen Brown (21%) has been an elite offensive engine. Who is your ECF MVP pick as the series against Philly heads toward a climax?
- The Maxey Takeover: Is Tyrese Maxey officially the best player in Philadelphia right now after his Game 5 masterpiece that pulled the Sixers closer, down 3-2 to the Celtics?
Drop your picks in the comments and let us know your top 10!
The Postseason Meat Grinder: Ranking the NBA’s Top 10 Playoff Titans
The opening rounds of the 2026 postseason have already functioned as a total meat grinder, exposing who spent the season getting comfortable and who was actually built for the playoff pressure.

The standard for greatness has shifted, and the postseason crucible has already claimed its first massive victim. Anthony Edwards has officially been dropped from our rankings after a devastating hyperextension in his left knee; with Ant-Man expected to miss multiple weeks, the entire landscape of the Western Conference has been put on tilt.

Between Victor Wembanyama's return and dominance in San Antonio and LeBron James turning back the clock to vintage form in Los Angeles, the floor for elite status has never been higher.