Which NBA Players Have the Most Playoff Wins in Basketball History?
2025-11-21 13:00
When you think about legendary NBA players, the conversation inevitably turns to playoff performance. I've always believed that the true measure of greatness isn't just regular season stats, but how players perform when every possession matters in the postseason. Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've witnessed countless playoff battles that separated good players from all-time greats. The players who consistently win in the playoffs develop something special with their teams and cities - a connection that reminds me of what tennis star Naomi Osaka expressed about finding home at the US Open. She said, "I don't have a home tournament, so to be able to have this community here at the US Open, I'm so grateful that they made me feel like I'm home." That sense of belonging, that community embrace - it's exactly what happens when players lead their teams deep into the playoffs year after year. They become part of the city's identity, creating bonds that last generations.
The undisputed king of playoff wins is Tim Duncan, and honestly, I don't think this record will be broken anytime soon. The Big Fundamental accumulated 157 playoff victories during his storied career with the San Antonio Spurs. What made Duncan's achievement so remarkable was the consistency - he never missed the playoffs in his entire 19-season career. I remember watching those Spurs teams and being amazed at how they could flip a switch come playoff time. Duncan's 157 wins came from 251 games, giving him an incredible 62.5% winning percentage in the postseason. That's the highest winning percentage among all players with at least 100 playoff wins. The Spurs culture that Duncan helped build created exactly that home-court advantage Osaka described - opponents knew they were walking into something special when they faced San Antonio in the playoffs.
Right behind Duncan sits Derek Fisher with 161 playoff wins, though it's important to note he played in 259 playoff games to achieve that number. Fisher was the ultimate playoff warrior - not the star, but the crucial role player who always made winning plays. His time with the Lakers during their three-peat and later return to glory gave him opportunities that other talented players never got. I've always argued that Fisher's value went far beyond statistics - he was the glue that held championship teams together. Then there's LeBron James, who currently sits at 174 playoff wins and counting. At 38 years old, he's still adding to that total, and I genuinely believe he could reach 180 wins before he retires. LeBron's playoff resume is simply staggering - he's been to 10 NBA Finals and has played in more playoff games than any player in history. What fascinates me about LeBron's playoff journey is how he's created that sense of home in multiple cities - Cleveland, Miami, and Los Angeles - much like how athletes in individual sports like tennis must cultivate support wherever they compete.
The conversation gets really interesting when we look at the Celtics legends. Bill Russell, the ultimate winner, collected an astonishing 108 playoff wins during an era when the playoff structure was completely different. Considering he played in just 165 playoff games, his winning percentage of 65.5% might be the most impressive statistic in NBA history. Then you have modern Celtics like Paul Pierce (85 wins) and Larry Bird (81 wins) who built their legacies through postseason excellence. I've always been partial to Bird's playoff performances - there was something magical about how he elevated his game when it mattered most. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's 154 playoff wins across 237 games demonstrates the longevity and excellence that defined his career. He won championships nearly fifteen years apart, which is just mind-boggling when you think about it.
What often gets overlooked in these discussions is how much team success factors into these totals. Robert Horry has 155 playoff wins despite never being the best player on his team - but he was always on winning teams. Meanwhile, incredible talents like Kevin Durant (94 wins) and Stephen Curry (98 wins) have lower totals simply because they didn't have the same supporting casts early in their careers. I've noticed that fans sometimes underestimate how much circumstance affects these numbers. If Damian Lillard had been drafted by the Spurs instead of Portland, his playoff win total would likely be significantly higher. That's why I put more stock in winning percentage than raw totals - it better reflects individual impact.
The psychological aspect of playoff basketball can't be overstated. Players who thrive in the postseason develop what I like to call "playoff DNA" - that unique combination of mental toughness, adaptability, and clutch performance. Having spoken with several former players over the years, they consistently mention how different playoff basketball feels. The intensity ratchets up, the scrutiny increases, and every mistake gets magnified. The players who accumulate these massive win totals aren't just physically gifted - they're mentally equipped to handle the unique pressures of elimination games. They create that home-court advantage Osaka described not just for themselves, but for their entire team. The crowd feeds off their confidence, and suddenly, the entire arena becomes their fortress.
Looking toward the future, I'm particularly curious to see how players like Nikola Jokić (37 wins) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (45 wins) will climb these historical lists. Both have shown they can lead their teams to championships, but accumulating massive playoff win totals requires sustained excellence over more than a decade. The modern NBA's load management culture might actually make it harder for current players to reach these numbers, as teams are more cautious about preserving players for long playoff runs. Still, I wouldn't bet against Giannis adding significantly to his total - his physical durability and mental makeup seem perfectly suited for postseason success.
At the end of the day, these playoff win totals represent more than just numbers - they tell stories of leadership, resilience, and the ability to perform under pressure. They reflect players who turned their teams into families and their arenas into homes. Just as Osaka found her community at the US Open, these basketball legends built communities around their playoff successes, creating bonds with cities and fanbases that transcend the sport itself. The next time you watch a playoff game, remember that you're not just watching basketball - you're witnessing players write their chapters in this ongoing historical narrative, fighting not just for rings, but for their place in this exclusive club of playoff winners.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
