The 2026 NBA playoffs have officially tipped off.The best NBA players showcase their skills and talent through an 82-game regular season, but the playoffs are where legacies are made – or tainted. The postseason is where performance determines who is the star of stars; who will rise to the occasion and who shrinks when the lights are brightest.With 16 teams left competing for the coveted Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy to be crowned NBA champion, someone will ascend themselves above the rest during the biggest moments with everything on the line.Here's a ranking of the 10 best available players in these NBA playoffs.

The list does not include players who have been considered out for the first round, including Los Angeles Lakers guards Luka Doncic or Austin Reaves. NBA PLAYOFF PICKS: USA TODAY predictions for every first-round seriesBest players in 2026 NBA playoffsHere are the top 10 best players competing during the NBA Playoffs.10. Devin Booker, Phoenix SunsThe Suns guard plays both sides of the ball, can score with the best of them, and don't sleep on his playmaking ability and willing to defer to the hot hand.

You saw that in the Suns' play-in game for the No. 8 seed against the Golden State Warriors.Booker averaged 26.1 points on 45.6% field-goal shooting, 33% from 3-point distance and 87% free throw shooting. He pulled in 3.9 rebounds and 6 assists per game. 9. Jalen Brunson, New York KnicksBrunson has been the franchise leader the Knicks have been searching for.

Brunson averaged 26 points on 46.7%/36.9%/84.1% shooting splits during the 2025-26 regular season.He's deadly in the midrange and crafty at getting to the basket, but he will torch defenses with a step-back 3. Brunson led the Knicks to the No. 3 seed in the NBA playoffs as New York aims for its first NBA championship since 1973.8. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland CavaliersDonovan Mitchell hasn't been past the second round during his career, but after the addition of James Harden there's hope that could change this season.Mitchell is a dynamic scorer that score at three levels: inside, midrange and from deep.

He's a slasher that will finish an acrobatic layup but also he might punch one on your big man's head. Mitchell scored 32 points in a Game 1 win against the Toronto Raptors, and the Cavs will go as far as he leads them.Mitchell averaged 27.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.5 steals. His shooting splits are 48.3% field goals, 36.4 3-point shooting and 86.5% from the charity stripe.HEEEEEER'S DONNY. @spidadmitchell | #LetEmKnowpic.twitter.com/LAOELsoXME— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 18, 20267.

Jaylen Brown, Boston CelticsBrown has carried the Celtics for much of the regular season, leading them to the No. 2 seed in the playoffs with co-star Jayson Tatum sidelined for most of the year due to an Achilles injury he suffered in the 2025 NBA playoffs.Brown led Boston to a 56-26 record, which is one of the reasons he's been considered a 2026 MVP candidate. He averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists, while shooting 47.7% on field goals. He also added a steal per game.6.

Anthony Edwards, Minnesota TimberwolvesEdwards is one of the best players in the league, and his star-like aura is reminiscent of the greatest the game's seen. But it's his game that backs up that nostalgia.During the 2025-26 season, Edwards posted 28.8 points, five rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. His efficiency wasn't too shabby either, connecting on 48.9% field goals including 39.9% 3-pointers and 79.6% free throws.

Edwards will look to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets. Edwards led the Wolves to defeat the Nuggets in seven games during the 2024 playoffs. They hope to emulate that outcome.Candace Parker couldn't believe this move and finish by Anthony Edwards 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/InBHvRb1eG— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) April 18, 20265.

Kevin Durant, Houston RocketsKevin Durant, although listed questionable for Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers, is expected to have a major impact in the Rockets first-round matchup. After 17 seasons, Durant is still one of the premier players in the postseason and his team will depend on him to be the player he's been since 2007.Durant has averaged an efficient 26 points on 52% field goals, 41% 3-pointers and 87% free throws. He's added 5.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists.

Defensively, he's just under a block and steal per game, at 0.9 and 0.8, respectively.4. LeBron James, Los Angeles LakersYes, LeBron at 41 years old, and now the focal point of the offense with injuries to Doncic and Reaves keeping them out of the first round indefinitely, is still one of the best players in the NBA postseason. We have never seen a player be this good for this long.

You have to honor and respect that aspect when making these lists. Not only that, James' numbers have showcased that when he's locked in, he remains one of the best players.James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2