Cade Cunningham, Ajay Mitchell, and seven other players have emerged as significant risers in the 2025-26 NBA playoffs. Their performances are drawing attention as they elevate their games during this postseason.
Key points
Cade Cunningham is among the top playoff risers.
Ajay Mitchell is also highlighted as a riser.
Tayshaun Prince's 2004 playoff block was significant.
Jamal Murray has elevated his game in past playoffs.
Donovan Mitchell had impressive stats in 2020 and 2021 playoffs.
Detroit PistonsIndiana Pacers
In Game 2 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals, with Reggie Miller'sIndiana Pacers up one game to zero against the Detroit Pistons, Miller had a breakaway transition opportunity to even the score at 69 apiece, when a second-year Tayshaun Prince, prior to becoming a multi-time All-Defensive Team player, came out of nowhere for a huge chasedown block that helped Detroit win the game, and eventually, the series.
That entire postseason run saw Prince elevate his game, as for the next four seasons after that, he'd make 2nd Team All-Defense and earn Defensive Player of the Year votes, parlaying his two-way skills into a spot - and a gold medal - with Team USA's 2008 Redeem Team.
All after his 2004 postseason playoff riser moment.
There are other examples of player risers, too, like Jamal Murray, who used to consistently elevate his numbers in the playoffs prior to finally earning his first All-Star bid, and Donovan Mitchell, who, in the '20 and '21 playoffs, averaged 33.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists on 46.4 percent shooting from three.
Below, we present our playoff risers of the 2025-26 NBA postseason.
The top NBA playoff risers include Cade Cunningham, Ajay Mitchell, and seven other notable players.
What impact did Tayshaun Prince have during the 2004 playoffs?
Tayshaun Prince's chasedown block in the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals was pivotal in helping the Detroit Pistons win the series and showcased his defensive skills.
How did Jamal Murray perform in previous NBA playoffs?
Jamal Murray consistently elevated his performance in past playoffs, leading to his first All-Star bid.
What statistics did Donovan Mitchell achieve in the 2020 and 2021 playoffs?
In the 2020 and 2021 playoffs, Donovan Mitchell averaged 33.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists while shooting 46.4 percent from three.
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May 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (11) during the first quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
May 4, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) controls the ball against Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (11) during the first quarter of game one of the eastern conference semifinal round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
No player has stepped it up as much from regular season to postseason this year as OG Anunoby, who's putting up numbers that would have had him in All-NBA talks had he put them up in the regular season.
Anunoby has been a two-way monster thus far in the postseason, hitting threes at an unsustainable near-60 percent rate, while averaging 2.7 stocks (steals and blocks) per contest. The former Indiana standout has been scoring at an All-Star rate, not only hitting threes but also off-the-dribble midrange jumpers, shots with a high degree of difficulty against physical playoff-level defending.
With Anunoby playing at this level, it's no wonder that many have tabbed his New York Knicks as the team to come out of the East this postseason. Anunoby's Game 6 performance against the Atlanta Hawks in Round 1 was masterful, as he scored 29 points, secured seven rebounds and had four steals to go with one block on an 11-of-14 shooting night to close out the series and Atlanta's upset bid.
The unfortunate thing, at least for Knicks fans, is that Anunoby now could perhaps miss a game or two due to a hamstring injury, so it'll be interesting to see if he's able to keep up that scorching hot form once he comes back. On the other hand, according to reports, Anunoby could be ready to go for Game 3 of the series against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight. Still, hamstrings are tricky, so this will be a situation to monitor.
May 7, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) drives between Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) and forward LeBron James (23) in the second half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
May 7, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell (25) drives between Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) and forward LeBron James (23) in the second half during game two of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
Former second-round pick Ajay Mitchell has stepped it up in a big way in the postseason, a matter of particular importance considering the Oklahoma City Thunder have needed him to step up with All-Star Jalen Williams missing time in the playoffs due to injury. Mitchell is putting up over 16 points, four rebounds and four assists per night in the postseason, as he has taken over the starting role at the 2-guard spot for the team in the injury-related absence o Williams.
Some young players wilt in the postseason, but that hasn't been the case with Mitchell at all, as he has been even more impressive of late, putting up 20.0 points and 5.3 assists on 47.7 percent shooting from the floor over his last three playoff contests, looking more and more comfortable in his playoff starter role for the Thunder, no easy feat for a second-year player.
Mitchell is making NBA playoff basketball look like no big deal, considering he has made Oklahoma City nearly 25 points per 100 possessions better during his time on the floor in the postseason, a number so astronomical that it could give head coach Mark Daigneault a decision to make once Williams is back healthy. Should he keep going with the players who are in a great rhythm together, or just re-insert his All-Star, Williams, back in as a starter?
That decision may seem cut and dry, but it should be noted that the Thunder have a 16-1 record with Mitchell as a starter, with their last defeat in such games coming all the way back in early November. And they lost that game by two points to the Portland Trail Blazers.
Even if Daigneault decides to move Mitchell back to the bench, he has to feel comfort in that his young second-year guard got this invaluable playoff experience, as Mitchell should continue to make that same level of impact off the bench when the time comes.
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) dribbles defended by Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) in the second half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
The points per game leader in the 2025-26 postseason so far, former No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham, also leads all players in the playoffs in total points scored, ranks first in total assists and has the most fourth-quarter points scored, to boot.
Since going down 3-1 in the Detroit Pistons' opening-round series against the Orlando Magic, Cunningham has taken his game to another level, averaging 31.4 points, 7.4 assists and 1.6 steals on 55.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc, leading Detroit to five straight victories over two series since then.
The 24-year-old lead guard has stepped it up when things have mattered most. In Game 5, down three games to one against Orlando with Detroit's season on the line, Cunningham had arguably the best performance of his career, going off for 45 points, shooting 13-of-23 from the field, five-of-eight from three and a perfect 14-of-14 from the foul line to force Game 6.
It's difficult for a player who is going to earn All-NBA Team honors and get MVP votes to be called a playoff riser, but we couldn't leave Cunningham off this list, as his performances in the postseason have somehow been even better than his regular-season contributions, which were impressive enough. And considering we could be headed towards a New York vs. Detroit Eastern Conference Finals, we're very much looking forward to what a Cunningham-Anunoby matchup might look like.
May 4, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) in the first half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
May 4, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) blocks a shot by San Antonio Spurs forward Julian Champagnie (30) in the first half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
Another player who has stepped up massively in the postseason is French big man Rudy Gobert.
Gobert had three-time league MVP Nikola Jokic in handcuffs pretty much for their entire first-round matchup, as Jokic looked pedestrian compared to his usual peak self, in large part due to Gobert's defense.
It was to the point that even with Anthony Edwards and Ayo Dosunmu out for the decisive Game 6, the Timberwolves still sealed the series win, as Gobert had 10 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, one steal and two blocks on four-of-six shooting to help lead Minnesota to the second round of the playoffs.
Will Gobert start to get the credit he's due for how great of a player he is? Probably not, though he absolutely deserves a ton of praise for how he's stepped it up in the playoffs so far.
Gobert's reward after taking down Jokic in Round 1 is now having to defend his French protege, Victor Wembanyama, in the second round. Gobert already did a good job on the reigning Defensive Player of the Year in Game 1, as Wembanyama went five-for-17 from the field in the 104-102 Minnesota series-opening win.
May 4, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) in the first half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
May 4, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) shoots over San Antonio Spurs guard De'aaron Fox (4) in the first half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
A player not really known for his scoring, Wolves swingman Jaden McDaniels has stepped up in the bucket-getting department in the playoffs.
He's gone into his scoring bag at the most important times for Minnesota, too, as the 25-year-old led the team in scoring in its Game 6 series-closing victory over the Nuggets in Round 1. In that outing, McDaniels dropped 32 points, secured 10 rebounds, dished out three assists and had two steals to go with a block on 13-of-25 shooting, showing that he's got more of an offensive game than he's been given credit for. And considering the Wolves were without Edwards or Dosunmu, McDaniels' scoring outburst was absolutely vital in ending the series in Minnesota, rather than risking a Game 7 on the road.
McDaniels has upped his scoring while remaining an elite lockdown wing defender. The former Washington standout not only guards ball-handlers and fellow wings, but also big men, like Wembanyama, when the occasion has called for it:
All in all, McDaniels, now knocking down tough midrange jumpers over tight defending seemingly with ease - his 61.1 percent shooting accuracy on shots from 10 to 16 feet from the basket has been one of the top marks in the postseason among all players - has been such a playoff riser that it wouldn't surprise us if he carried this over into next regular season and established himself as a true two-way star.
Apr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) celebrates with forward RJ Barrett (9) after a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Apr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) celebrates with forward RJ Barrett (9) after a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Although the Toronto Raptors failed to make it out of the first round of the playoffs this year, former Florida State Seminole Scottie Barnes deserves a ton of credit for the way he stepped up in the postseason, particularly with frontcourt mate Brandon Ingram missing time in the series. Toronto still forced a Game 7 against the favored Cleveland Cavaliers, and kept things close at least through halftime of the decisive contest, in large part thanks to Barnes' contributions on both ends of the floor.
In Game 3, facing a 2-0 hole in the series, Barnes went off for 33 points, five rebounds, 11 assists, a steal and a block on 11-of-17 shooting, in what was one of the most impressive performances of his career.
Barnes came into the NBA with a massive ceiling, thanks to being a skilled forward with fantastic height (6-foot-8) and wingspan (7-foot-2-plus), who could do a bit of everything - score, rebound, create looks for teammates and defend. And although he's already a two-time All-Star, there's a sentiment he's still got another level he can reach, a feeling shared by his head coach, Darko Rajakovic:
This postseason gave us a good look at what that true Barnes ceiling might be, and if he's able to carry over that level to next season, we're looking at a perennial All-NBA candidate in Toronto, especially if he's able to keep up that confident midrange tough-shot-making he displayed wonderfully in the postseason.
May 6, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives past New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
May 6, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) drives past New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during game five of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Despite being without Joel Embiid for the first three games of the Philadelphia 76ers' first-round series against the Boston Celtics, All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey stepped up in a big way for Philadelphia, averaging 26.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists on 41.8 percent shooting from three, to help lead Philadelphia to a first-round upset over Boston.
Maxey's second round against the Knicks hasn't gone as well as far, with the former Kentucky Wildcat averaging just 19.5 points on 37.5 percent shooting in Round 2, but we still consider him a playoff riser - for now - for his efforts in taking down Boston in the first round.
After going down three games to one in the first round, Maxey turned it up a notch, putting up 28.3 points, 7.7 rebounds and 5.7 assists, to go with 1.3 steals, from Games 5 to 7, to help Philadelphia complete the historic 3-1 series turnaround and advance to Round 2.
May 5, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) moves the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) in the first half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
May 5, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) moves the ball around Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) in the first half during game one of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
After a relatively quiet regular season, veteran guard Marcus Smart has been a two-way force in the postseason this year, averaging 2.6 steals per game to go with nearly a block-and-a-half per night. And he's done that while also shooting over 36 percent from beyond the arc.
Without Smart stepping up in that manner, it's very unlikely the Los Angeles Lakers get past the Houston Rockets in the first round in the fashion that they did, as his contributions on the offensive end were vital with Austin Reaves missing the first three games of the series, and Luka Doncic being out for the entirety.
Particularly impressive against Houston was Smart's three-point shooting, with the bulldog two-way guard hitting nearly 45 percent of his threes in the series against the Rockets. That was after he connected on just 33.1 percent of his triples (and 39.5 percent of his shots overall) in the regular season. (The Rockets have to be wondering what the heck happened there. Time to look in the mirror for Houston, perhaps.)
Smart's biggest game of the offseason came in Game 2, a 101-94 Lakers win, with Smart contributing 25 points, seven assists and five steals while hitting five of his seven three-point attempts. Smart became just the 52nd player ever to post a stat line of at least 25 points, seven assists and five steals in NBA postseason history that night.
Apr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) passes the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) and guard James Harden (1) during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Apr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Collin Murray-Boyles (12) passes the ball away from Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) and guard James Harden (1) during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Raptors rookie Collin Murray-Boyles played a huge role in Toronto pushing the favored Cavaliers to seven games in the first round, as his numbers took a big leap from the regular season to the postseason this year. After putting up 8.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in the regular season, the 20-year-old upped those marks to 14.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists in the playoffs, no easy feat for a player who can't even legally purchase alcohol (in the U.S. yet).
For Murray-Boyles to do that in his rookie season speaks very highly to his future, as he'll now be a potential breakout player to keep an eye on in 2026-27.
Murray-Boyles was particularly excellent in Game 3, a 126-104 Raptors win, scoring 22 points to go with eight rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block on 11-of-15 shooting. His crafty scoring around the basket and his toughness on the glass were impressive all postseason, and make us think he'll take Toronto's full-time starting 4-man spot next season.
