Ranking best remaining players in NBA playoffs, from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama to Jalen Brunson
There are plenty of stars still alive between the four conference finalists.
Ranking best remaining players in NBA playoffs, from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama to Jalen Brunson originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Just four teams still have their eyes on the 2026 Larry O'Brien Trophy.
Each have taken far different paths to the conference finals, but the Oklahoma City Thunder , San Antonio Spurs , New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers have all relied on their stars to lead them deep into the playoffs. If Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doesn't lead the Thunder to a second-straight title, then one of Victor Wembanyama, Donovan Mitchell or Jalen Brunson will earn their first ring. While each of those four players have remained elite in the playoffs, more than ever, high-level depth is also critical.
The Thunder, Spurs, Knicks and Cavaliers have all benefitted from more than just one player stepping up in the postseason. As the conference finals begin, here's a ranking of the 10 best players still alive in the 2026 NBA Playoffs. NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket NBA player rankings for 2026 Conference Finals 10.
Evan Mobley, Cavaliers 2026 playoffs (14 games): 17. 0 PPG, 8. 0 RPG, 4.
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