Last Updated on May 21, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Cleveland Cavaliers have featured several elite postseason scorers throughout franchise history, but no player has shaped Cleveland playoff basketball more than LeBron James.

From LeBron’s legendary Finals runs to the explosive scoring of Kyrie Irving and the consistency of Brad Daugherty, the Cavaliers have produced multiple stars capable of dominating playoff defenses.

This ranking looks at the greatest playoff scorers in Cavaliers history based on total playoff points, scoring averages, postseason runs, and overall playoff impact.

1. LeBron James

LeBron James is overwhelmingly the greatest playoff scorer in Cleveland Cavaliers history.

He scored 5,289 playoff points with Cleveland, one of the highest postseason totals ever recorded by a player with a single franchise.

LeBron carried Cleveland to five NBA Finals appearances and delivered some of the greatest playoff scoring performances in NBA history. His 748 playoff points during the 2018 postseason remain the highest single-playoff scoring total in franchise history and one of the greatest postseason scoring runs ever.

Key Playoff Achievements

  • 2016 NBA champion
  • Franchise leader in playoff points
  • Multiple NBA Finals appearances
  • Several legendary elimination-game performances
  • One of the greatest postseason scorers ever

LeBron’s 51-point game against the Golden State Warriors in the 2018 NBA Finals remains one of the most iconic playoff scoring performances in league history.

2. Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving became one of the most clutch playoff scorers in Cavaliers history during Cleveland’s championship era.

He ranks second in franchise playoff scoring and averaged more than 23 postseason points per game with the Cavaliers.

Irving’s elite shot creation, ball-handling, and perimeter scoring made him the perfect offensive partner for LeBron James.

Key Playoff Achievements

  • 2016 NBA champion
  • One of the best playoff scoring guards in franchise history
  • Famous championship-winning three-pointer in 2016 Finals
  • Multiple 25+ points per game playoff runs

His 2016 postseason run helped complete one of the greatest championship comebacks ever after Cleveland erased a 3-1 deficit against Golden State.

3. Brad Daugherty

Brad Daugherty was the centerpiece of Cleveland’s playoff teams during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

He scored more than 1,000 playoff points for the Cavaliers and combined elite post scoring with excellent passing ability for a center.

Daugherty averaged over 18 playoff points per game during his Cleveland career and consistently elevated his scoring during postseason competition.

Key Playoff Achievements

  • One of the top playoff scorers in franchise history
  • Multi-time All-Star
  • Elite offensive center
  • Key leader during Cleveland’s rise in the late 1980s

His playoff battles against the Chicago Bulls became a defining part of early Cavaliers playoff history.

4. Mark Price

Mark Price was one of the best shooting playoff guards of his era.

His elite perimeter shooting, ball-handling, and offensive efficiency made him one of the most dangerous scorers in Cavaliers history. Price scored more than 950 playoff points with Cleveland and averaged over 20 playoff points per game during several postseason runs.

Key Playoff Achievements

  • Elite playoff shooter
  • One of Cleveland’s greatest point guards
  • Multiple strong postseason scoring runs
  • Excellent offensive efficiency

Price’s shooting ability helped modernize Cleveland’s offense during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

5. Kevin Love

Kevin Love played a major scoring role during Cleveland’s championship era.

While often overshadowed by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, Love consistently provided floor spacing, rebounding, and interior scoring during multiple deep playoff runs. He ranks among the franchise leaders in playoff points and three-pointers made.

Key Playoff Achievements

  • 2016 NBA champion
  • Important third scoring option during Finals runs
  • Strong playoff rebounding and shooting
  • Multiple deep postseason campaigns

Love’s versatility made Cleveland’s offense far more difficult to defend.

6. Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Zydrunas Ilgauskas became one of the Cavaliers’ most reliable playoff scorers during LeBron’s first Cleveland era.

His soft touch around the basket, mid-range shooting, and size helped him become one of the franchise leaders in postseason scoring.

Key Playoff Achievements

  • One of Cleveland’s top playoff big men
  • Key contributor during 2007 Finals run
  • Strong low-post scorer
  • Longtime franchise cornerstone

Ilgauskas provided Cleveland with consistent frontcourt scoring for more than a decade.

7. Donovan Mitchell

Donovan Mitchell has quickly emerged as one of the most explosive playoff scorers in Cavaliers history.

His scoring ability, shot creation, and high-volume perimeter offense have already produced several massive playoff performances for Cleveland. Mitchell’s aggressive offensive style has helped re-establish the Cavaliers as a playoff contender in the modern era. (Land of Basketball)

Key Playoff Achievements

  • Multiple 30+ point playoff games with Cleveland
  • Elite perimeter scorer
  • One of the franchise’s best modern offensive players
  • Primary scoring option during recent playoff runs

Mitchell’s playoff ceiling suggests he could continue climbing Cleveland’s all-time postseason scoring lists.

Honorable Mentions

  • Austin Carr
  • Larry Nance
  • Tristan Thompson
  • Anderson Varejão
  • Craig Ehlo

Final Thoughts

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ playoff history is heavily defined by LeBron James and his extraordinary postseason dominance, but the franchise has also featured several other elite playoff scorers across different eras.

From the classic Cavaliers teams led by Brad Daugherty and Mark Price to the championship core of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, Cleveland has consistently relied on star-level scoring to compete deep into the playoffs.

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