NBA Playoffs: 30 best Game 7 performances in NBA Playoffs history

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Kevin Durant (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Best Game 7 performances in NBA Playoffs history: 27. Kevin Durant (2011)

Stat line:

39 points
9 rebounds
52.2% from the field
44.4% from 3-point range

At the time, no one knew exactly what they were watching. Sure Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and James Harden were all great young players but no one expected them to become historical figures. But that’s exactly what happened. As soon as the gang broke up, they each went on to win an MVP award.

There was no doubt that Durant was the leader of that bunch. And during the 2011 playoffs, he showed exactly why he was already considered one of the best in the game at such a young age.

During a second-round series against a tough and gritty Memphis Grizzlies team, the Thunder needed everything Durant could provide in Game 7. Never one to disappoint, Durant showed up and balled out. Not even a litany of great defenders such as Tony Allen and Shane Battier knew what to do with him. Durant would pour in 39 points and grab nine boards. In what’s become the norm for Durant, he was outrageously effective from the field, nailing 52 percent of his shots and 44.4 from distance.

The Grizzlies had no answers and were sent packing.