Michael Jordan, LeBron James, And Other NBA Stars' Worst Playoff Game Of Their Careers

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Michael Jordan, LeBron James, And Other NBA Stars' Worst Playoff Game Of Their Careers originally appeared on Fadeaway World.
Every NBA superstar has a night they wish they could erase, and that happens to the greatest players ever. LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, yes, even them.
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While their playoff greatness is well-documented, today we're digging into the outliers: the worst postseason games of their careers. These are the games that proved even legends can crack under pressure or simply go cold at the worst possible time.
We have 20 of the greatest NBA players ever (past and present) who struggled throughout a major playoff game, be it scoring or having an all-around impact. Get ready to be surprised, because a basketball superstar is still a human being after all.
Michael Jordan
Jan 16, 1991; Orlando, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan (23) in action against the Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images Orlando Arena. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images
1989 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Game 2 vs. New York Knicks
Stats: 15 Points, 8 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks, 7-17 FG, 0-2 3-PT FG, 1-4 FT
On a night when MJ couldn't break 20, the New York Knicks defended him with a smothering intensity. He buried seven shots but missed ten others, turned cold at the stripe (1‑4), and failed to spark his usual offensive wave. For a player who averaged a ludicrous .550 FG% in the series, going .412 this night felt more like a lull than a hiccup.
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But what really stung was how his dip impacted the team's rhythm. Despite logging 34 minutes and grabbing eight rebounds, Jordan's quiet performance dragged the Chicago Bulls into a 114–97 blowout loss on their home court, tying the series at 1–1. The GOAT would find a way to close the Knicks out in six, but eventually lost in the Eastern Conference Finals against the "Bad Boy" Pistons.
LeBron James
Dec 25, 2011; Dallas, TX, USA; Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) is guarded by Dallas Mavericks guard Rodrigue Beaubois (3) during the second quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesMandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
2011 NBA Finals: Game 4 vs. Dallas Mavericks
Stats: 8 Points, 9 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Blocks, 27.3% FG, 0.00% 3-PT FG, 50.0% FT
This was the game that shattered expectations. With the Miami Heat up 2-1, LeBron produced an ice-cold game, scoring just eight points and missing every shot in the fourth quarter. He managed nine boards and seven dimes, but the two-time MVP looked hesitant and nowhere near the driver the Heat needed.
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Over the series, he averaged 17.8 PPG, but Game 4's flop was the turning point. Miami dropped the next two and watched the Dallas Mavericks steal the title 4-2. Plain and simple: LeBron had a chance to seal the era, and he froze on the biggest stage, costing his team the crown and effectively ending his chances of ever becoming the NBA's GOAT.
Kobe Bryant
Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images
2006 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 7 vs. Phoenix Suns
Stats: 24 Points, 4 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 0 Steals, 1 Block, 8-16 FG, 4-8 3-PT FG, 4-5 FT
We can bring up the airballs against Utah, where a young Kobe Bryant failed in the clutch. But we won't hold that against Bryant, who became arguably the most feared clutch NBA star in history. Instead, we will take Kobe's Game 7 performance against the Phoenix Suns as his lowest moment, and we have to call it the "Quit Game".
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Kobe scored 24 points on 50% shooting, but he did not attempt a shot in the fourth quarter, seemingly on purpose to prove a point that the Los Angeles Lakers couldn't win without him. In an effort to get "others involved", Bryant's strange decision cost the Lakers dearly, and they bowed out 121-90. It wasn't Bryant's best moment, considering the five-time champion had a supreme reputation come playoff time.
Magic Johnson
Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images copyright (c) Malcolm Emmons
1983 NBA First Round: Game 4 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Stats: 10 Points, 7 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 0 Steals, 1 Block, 5-14 FG, 0-3 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT
Magic Johnson had a stat line that looked like a contribution, but the eye test said otherwise. He scored just 10 points on 5-for-14 shooting, watched three possessions tick off his 3‑point attempts without even getting to the line, and never found consistent playmaking rhythm.
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This was a blowout loss with Portland snapping a 3–0 series deficit to stay alive, and Magic's stumble exposed the Lakers' overreliance on his brilliance. In a tight series where he posted 17.4 PPG, 11.6 APG, and 6.8 RPG, this subpar night from their leader put the club on thin ice. Luckily, the Lakers would go on to defeat the Trail Blazers in the following game, but would lose in the NBA Finals to end the season.
Larry Bird
Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-Imagn Images (c) Copyright Malcolm Emmons
1981 NBA Finals: Game 4 vs. Houston Rockets
Stats: 8 Points, 12 Rebounds, 7 Assists, 2 Steals, 0 Blocks, 3-11 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 2-2 FT
Larry Bird posted all-around numbers with 12 boards and seven assists, but eight points on 3-of-11 shooting is a far cry from 'Larry Legend'. Yes, hustle showed, but fans tune in for buckets, not hustle. Houston claimed Game 4, tying the series and jolting the Celtics back to reality.
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The 1981 Finals were a rollercoaster for Bird: a very poor performance in Game 2 before eventually winning the NBA title, but losing the Finals MVP award to Cedric Maxwell. Overall, Game 4 wasn't the unstoppable Bird we remember, it was a reminder that even future Hall-of-Famers can be managed and limited in crunch moments. Admit it: the Celtics missed their guy going cold.
Shaquille O'Neal
Credit: Fadeaway World
2006 NBA Finals: Game 2 vs. Dallas Mavericks
Stats: 5 Points, 6 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 0 Steals, 0 Blocks, 2-5 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 1-7 FT
Shaquille O'Neal's worst game wasn't just the stat line or his career-low scoring game in his postseason career, it was the hemorrhaging of confidence on the biggest stage. In a 99-85 blowout, he bricked six free throws and coughed up two turnovers in 28 minutes with a -27 plus/minus.
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It was a rare full-on collapse: no dominance, no heroics, just regression back to old Shaq free‑throw issues and too many careless passes. He still averaged 13.7 PPG and 10.2 REB over the series, but that night set the tone.
Miami trailblazed to a 2-0 deficit after that drubbing. Though the Heat eventually rallied to win the championship in six games, that Game 2 meltdown was a glaring blinking sign that Shaq couldn't be fully trusted late in the series and late into his career.
Tim Duncan
Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-Imagn Images
2008 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 1 vs. New Orleans Hornets
Stats: 5 Points, 3 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 3 Steals, 1 Block, 1-9 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 3-6 FT
In an ugly 82-101 Game 1 loss, Tim Duncan went completely off the radar, scoring 5 points and grabbing 3 rebounds in 37 minutes. The San Antonio Spurs were completely lost during the game, and not having Duncan perform at any reasonable level was unacceptable for them.
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Luckily for Duncan and the Spurs, they would rebound and outlast the Chris Paul-led Hornets in seven games. Still, Duncan probably shouldn't have been on the court for as long as he did, and we just have to move on when remembering this moment from the 5-time champion's legendary career.
Stephen Curry
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
2018 NBA Finals: Game 3 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Stats: 11 Points, 5 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks, 3-16 FG, 1-10 3-PT FG, 4-4 FT
Stephen Curry hit rock bottom in Game 3, going just 3-for-16 from the field and 1-for-10 from beyond the arc for the Golden State Warriors. He looked flustered and hesitant, totally un-Curry-like. Even his usual gravity was gone; Cleveland's defense dared him to shoot, and he muffed the challenge.
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He still averaged 27.5 PPG in the Finals, but this night (18.8 FG%) was a career playoff low. Despite Golden State winning the game, his struggle was extremely ugly. Luckily for Curry, he had an all-time supporting cast featuring Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green to help him overcome the flatline.
Kevin Durant
Apr 6, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. The Suns defeated the Thunder 122-115. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
2016 NBA Playoffs: Game 2 First Round vs. Dallas Mavericks
Stats: 21 Points, 9 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 0 Steals, 1 Block, 7-33 FG, 2-11 3-PT FG, 5-5 FT
Durant launched 33 shots, missed 26 of them. That's not just a bad night; it's a playoff disaster. Yes, he scored 21, but at what cost? The Mavericks took advantage and stole Game 2. Durant's inefficiency tanked the OKC Thunder's offense and gave Dallas a real shot early in the series.
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OKC still closed the Mavericks in five games, but that monstrous Game 2 dud haunted Durant's reputation. It was the worst raw production by volume in Durant's career, especially when adding in the 7 turnovers, an inefficient heaving spell that underscored his limits under duress.
Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar
Mandatory Credit: MPS-Imagn Images
1985 NBA Finals: Game 1 vs. Boston Celtics
Stats: 12 Points, 3 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 0 Steals, 1 Block, 6-11 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT
Game 1 was a brutal opener for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the Lakers, famously dubbed the Memorial Day Massacre. He managed just 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting, looked slow on the boards, and never recovered from Boston's early 34-point lead. A rare night of pure inefficiency from the big man, only 1 block, no impact, just stagnation on both ends.
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No doubt, this Game 1 flop set the tone, and many felt the Lakers couldn't recover. Somehow, they did, winning the series in six games, but this game is etched in history. Kareem might have had worse statistical nights than this, but considering how badly the rival Celtics beat them, this one takes the cake for arguably the greatest big man ever.
Wilt Chamberlain
Mandatory Credit: Darryl Norenberg-Imagn Images
1969 NBA Finals: Game 6 vs. Boston Celtics
Stats: 8 Points, 18 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 1-5 FG, 6-10 FT
In a showdown with more baggage than a flight to L.A., Wilt Chamberlain posted just 8 points and looked totally controlled by a suffocating Bill Russell–led defense. That evening, he was benched late in the 4th quarter, a stunning departure for a man who once averaged 50 PPG in the regular season.
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L.A. went on to lose the series 4-3, blowing a 2-0 lead. Wilt faded in key moments when it mattered most, and he left Jerry West (who would go on to win Finals MVP despite losing the series) without help. The game and the series forever stitched together the "choker" narrative he battled his entire career. It's the kind of collapse that haunts a legend and defines a legacy.
Hakeem Olajuwon
Mandatory Credit: Photo By Imagn Images (c) Copyright Imagn Images
1996 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 1 vs. Seattle SuperSonics
Stats: 6 Points, 4 Rebounds, 1 Assist, 0 Steals, 1 Block, 3-9 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT
Game 1 was a game even the Dream wouldn't want to dream about, his worst playoff performance ever, considering it was his prime, and it showed. Hakeem Olajuwon struggled to make an impact on either end, overwhelmed by Seattle's physicality and speed.
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Despite the miss, Olajuwon's overall series output stayed solid: 18.3 PPG and 9.8 RPG, though the Seattle SuperSonics edged the Houston Rockets 4-0. That night, however, was a reminder that even elite big men can be completely erased. When he vanished, so did Houston's chances.
Dwyane Wade
Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-Imagn Images
2004 First Round: Game 3 vs. New Orleans Hornets
Stats: 2 Points, 3 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks, 1-8 FG, 0-1 3-PT FG, 0-0 FT
After his breakout Game 1, Dwyane Wade imploded in Game 3, just 2 points on 1-of-8 shooting, zero assists, and a shell of his usual aggressive self. That flat performance nearly sank the Miami Heat early and forced Erik Spoelstra to reconsider rotations.
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Still, Wade wasn't done; he bounced back later in the series. But this dud was a wake-up call in his rookie playoffs: the fearsome slasher was, at times, shockingly quiet. Even future Finals MVPs need a boot camp moment like this to toughen up.
Kevin Garnett
Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-Imagn Images
1998 First Round: Game 5 vs. Seattle Supersonics
Stats: 7 Points, 4 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 1 Steal, 2 Blocks, 3-11 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 1-2 FT
Kevin Garnett, known for his intensity and stat-stuffing, unraveled in a critical elimination Game 5. He was uncharacteristically ice cold, 3-for-11 shooting, and turned the ball over an absurd ten times. The Minnesota Timberwolves lost by 13, and his dominance, both emotionally and statistically, vanished on the biggest stage.
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Garnett's career rarely included jaw-dropping playoff failures, but this one stung during his third NBA season. In a series where he still averaged 15.8 points and 9.6 rebounds, this collapse felt personal for T-Wolves fans. For a guy eventually nicknamed 'Big Ticket,' this ticket didn't cash in during this ugly performance.
Allen Iverson
Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images
2001 Eastern Conference Finals: Game 5 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Stats: 15 Points, 9 Rebounds, 8 Assists, 4 Steals, 1 Block, 5-27 FG, 0-4 3-PT FG, 5-6 FT
Allen Iverson, known for riding himself to death through entire games, dropped a career-worst nightmare in this pivotal matchup. He shot 5-for-27 (.185 FG), going ice cold at the worst possible time and posting a brutal stat line over 47 minutes. It felt like his usual warrior spirit deserted him offensively.
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Despite this collapse, Iverson pushed forward and dropped 46 and 44 points over the next two games to proceed to the NBA Finals. But Game 5's meltdown nearly cost the 76ers the series. It wasn't just poor shooting, it was that AI, the unshakeable competitor, disappeared. Even The Answer had nights when the game answered back.
Dirk Nowitzki
Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-Imagn Images
2007 First Round: Game 6 vs. Golden State Warriors
Stats: 8 Points, 10 Rebounds, 2 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks, 2-13 FG, 0-6 3-PT FG, 4-4 FT
Dirk Nowitzki came into Game 6 riding an MVP season and a historic 67‑15 record, but instead, he fell flat. He scored just 8 points on 2-of-13 shooting (0-for-6 from deep) while under orders to carry a title-caliber Mavericks squad.
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Across the series, he averaged 19.7 PPG, but the Game 6 meltdown was the capstone of unfulfilled promise. For a transcendent talent, this cold night undermined much of the season's narrative and haunted his legacy…until redemption arrived in 2011.
Karl Malone
Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images
1999 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 6 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Stats: 8 Points, 7 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 0 Steals, 2 Blocks, 3-16 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 2-3 FT
The Mailman was expected to deliver, but in Game 6, he mailed in one of the worst postseason games of his career. Karl Malone posted just 8 points on 3-of-16 shooting as Utah dropped a 92-80 elimination loss to Portland.
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This was a disaster in a series where efficiency mattered most. He normally dominated the boards and pain-jammed the interior, but Malone's touch deserted him in this key moment. Though he had seasons where he struggled against Hall of Fame competition (especially versus Jordan's Bulls in the Finals), this one-off was a glaring deficiency, underscoring that even elite scorers can flunk when it counts.
Charles Barkley
Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images
1993 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 3 vs. Houston Rockets
Stats: 5 Points, 7 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 1 Steal, 0 Blocks, 0-10 FG, 0-1 3-PT FG, 5-6 FT
Sir Charles gave fans everything: charisma, aggression, hustle, but against the Rockets, he completely cracked under the defensive pressure. His typical 20+ PPG and double-digit rebounds were neutralized by Houston's defensive discipline.
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Despite averaging an MVP-level stat line (23.0 PPG, 11.1 RPG) that season, Charles Barkley couldn't overcome Hakeem Olajuwon's presence, and it pierced his legacy slightly. The Suns would go on to lose the series in seven games, with the Rockets eventually winning it all. No doubt, Barkley wishes he could have that critical Game 3 back.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo looks on frustratingly as the game continues on after a brief pause. Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
2015 First Round: Game 2 vs. Chicago Bulls
Stats: 6 Points, 11 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Steals, 2 Blocks, 2-11 FG, 0-0 3-PT FG, 2-2 FT
Giannis Antetokounmpo eventually earned his MVP stripes with signature Game 6 heroics (closeout 50-point game in 2021 Finals), but this Game 2 early on in his career? It was a cold splash. Over the back half, he shot around 28%, uncharacteristically clanked shots at the rim, and lost grip in big moments. Chicago escaped with a key win, shifting momentum to close the series in six.
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The series ultimately fell short and exposed the youngster's soft underbelly: efficiency breakdowns, limited floor spacing, and those wobbles when Giannis tried to do it all. It's a glaring reminder: even future MVPs vanished in defining moments early on in their careers.
Nikola Jokic
May 7, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) walks down the court after a play against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
2025 Western Conference Semifinals: Game 2 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Stats: 17 Points, 8 Rebounds, 6 Assists, 1 Steal, 1 Block, 6-16 FG, 2-4 3-PT FG, 3-5 FT
Nikola Jokic is Mr. Triple-Double, yet in Game 2, he looked more like a turnover magnet than a floor general. Just 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting, overdribbling into turnovers, and visibly gassed under OKC's athleticism. It wasn't just this game, it was emblematic of fatigue wracking his legs and his supporting cast crumbling around him.
OKC would go on to win the series, but regardless, Jokic couldn't assert his rhythm in Game 2, leaving the Denver Nuggets vulnerable. Even a three-time MVP isn't immune, this game showed you can't just stat-pad through elimination; you must dominate moments. And he didn't… that night.
Related: How The 25 Greatest NBA Players Of All-Time Performed In Their Rookie Seasons
This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.