Jordan vs LeBron: playoff stats
Jordan averaged 33.4 points a playoff game, the highest in NBA history; LeBron averages 28.2. LeBron has far more playoff points (8,521 to 5,987), the most of anyone, because he has played so many more postseason games. He also averages more playoff assists, 7.2 to Jordan's 5.7.
| Jordan | LeBron | |
|---|---|---|
| Playoff points per game | 33.4 | 28.2 |
| Career playoff points | 5,987 | 8,521 |
| Playoff assists per game | 5.7 | 7.2 |
| Finals points per game | 33.6 | 28.4 |
| Championships | 6 | 4 |
| Finals MVPs | 6 | 4 |
Rate against volume, again
The playoffs sharpen the same split as the regular season. Jordan's playoff scoring went up from his regular-season average, not down, and it came in the slowest, most physical games of the year. His supporters treat that as the strongest single argument in the debate: when the games mattered most, he scored more than anyone ever has.
LeBron's case is that he did more than score. He has been his teams' primary passer in the playoffs as well as their leading scorer, and he reached eight straight Finals. His playoff totals are the record because his teams were in the playoffs, and deep in them, almost every year for two decades.
Questions
Who has the highest playoff scoring average ever?
Michael Jordan, at 33.4 points a game. LeBron's 28.2 is excellent but well behind it.
Who has scored the most playoff points?
LeBron James, with 8,521. Jordan scored 5,987 in the playoffs in far fewer games.
Who scored more in the Finals?
Jordan averaged 33.6 points a game in the Finals and LeBron 28.4. LeBron has played 55 Finals games to Jordan's 35. See the Finals record.
Statistics are drawn from the NBA's official records and Basketball-Reference and are current through the 2025–26 regular season unless noted. LeBron James is still active, so his career totals change. Spotted an error? Tell us.
The full argument: Scoring: 30.1 a game or 40,000 in total?.