Following the brilliant performances by the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks completing their respective sweeps against the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers, there are six teams left. While those two teams enjoy their rest before the Conference Finals, the Detroit Pistons/Cleveland Cavaliers series is deadlocked at 2-2, and the San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves are in a back and forth 3-2 series. Who are the best players of these remaining contenders?

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There a bunch of names that I want to give a shout to in the honorable mention category. Whether, it is a player who has been a great surprise for their team or in the opposite vein they haven’t been playing up to their standard, but are the caliber talent that puts them among the best. I excluded players with an unknown injury status such as All Star Guard/Forward Jalen Williams, who would definitely be included in here somewhere. The “Honorable Mention Squad” or “Next 10” are (in no order):

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2026 Playoffs Statistics (So Far): 16.4 PPG 7.8 RPG 3.8 APG 1.7 BPG 1.0 SPG 56.3 FG%

With the Cleveland Cavaliers already possessing elite shot creation and playmaking between James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, what they have needed most this postseason is a player capable of impacting every area of the game. That is exactly what Evan Mobley has provided throughout these playoffs.

While he has not been quite as dominant against Detroit as he was in the Toronto series, Mobley is still coming off an incredible performance where he posted 17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 blocks, and 3 steals. That stat line perfectly captures the kind of player he is for Cleveland, the ultimate swiss army knife. His versatility and consistency on both ends of the floor have been invaluable to the Cavaliers’ postseason run, earning him the number ten spot on this list.

2026 Playoffs Statistics (So Far): 21.4 PPG 7.5 RPG 1.9 SPG 1.1 BPG 61.9 FG% 53.8 3P%

While the New York Knicks were able to complete the sweep against the Philadelphia 76ers without OG Anunoby in the lineup, words still cannot fully describe how important he is to this ball club. Since the implementation of their new flex offense, Anunoby has emerged as a legitimate 2A option offensively while continuing to serve as the Knicks’ most important defender on the other end of the floor.

Anunoby was phenomenal during the Hawks series and, through two games against Philadelphia, it felt like he simply could not miss. His two-way impact has arguably been one of the biggest driving forces behind the Knicks’ postseason success so far. While there are still some questions surrounding his hamstring entering the Eastern Conference Finals, he is expected to be healthy and available for Game 1, which lands him at number nine on this list.

2026 Playoffs Statistics (So Far): 18.6 PPG 9.1 RPG 1.8 BPG 1.4 SPG 60 FG% 38.7 3P%

Chet Holmgren has already established himself as one of the most impactful two-way players in the league during last year’s championship run. This year has been no different. While much of the attention surrounding OKC has been about their overall team dominance. Holmgren’s presence has quietly been one of the main catalysts.

His rim protection, versatility, and ability to stretch the floor give the Thunder a modern weapon that so far no team as been able to matchup with. Defensively, he alters everything around the basket without needing to dominate the stat sheet, while offensively his spacing and shot-making open the floor for the Thunder’s wings to attack.

2026 Playoffs Statistics (So Far): 17.4 PPG 10.0 RPG 6.6 APG 1.5 BPG 1.1 SPG 58.7 FG%

Ever since Coach Mike Brown handed Karl-Anthony Towns the facilitator role, it has completely changed the dynamic of their offense. His ability to stretch the floor, punish mismatches, and create offense from all three levels while setting other guys up has given the Knicks an element they simply have not had all year. While Jalen Brunson remains the engine, Towns has consistently looked like the perfect co-star throughout this playoff run.

There have been moments this postseason where Towns has flat out taken over games with his distributing. Whether it was finding OG Anunoby on back cuts to the rim, a Josh Hart or Mikal Bridges open three, or a Brunson two man game, he has delivered in massive moments for New York. Pair that with the fact that he has held up far better defensively than many expected, and it is hard not to view him as one of the most impactful players remaining in the playoffs, landing him at number seven on this list.

2026 Playoffs Statistics (So Far): 26.7 PPG 5.4 RPG 2.9 APG .8 SPG 46 FG% 32.3 3P%

At times throughout this postseason, Donovan Mitchell has looked like the most unstoppable scorer remaining in the playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers have leaned heavily on his shot creation and ability to completely take over games offensively, and more often than not, Mitchell has delivered. He has had some disappearing acts here and there, but a prime example of his impact was seen in Game 4 against Detroit where he exploded for a 39 point half.

What has stood out the most during this run has been Mitchell’s ability to control the pace and momentum of games when Cleveland needs him most. Unfortunately, that has been mostly in Cleveland because he has yet to lead his team to a road victory this playoffs. I would like to see more from him on the road, but his overall offensive production and superstar-level shot making lands him at number six on this list.

2026 Playoffs Statistics (So Far): 21.3 PPG 6.1 RPG 2.8 APG .8 BPG 44.2 FG% 32.1 3P%

Even with the inconsistency at times, Anthony Edwards is still one of the most talented and dangerous players remaining in these playoffs. When fully healthy, there is a legitimate argument for him to be as high as number two on this list. However, it has been pretty clear throughout this postseason that his knee injury has impacted parts of his game and affected his consistency from night to night.

That being said, even a less than 100 percent Edwards is still capable of completely taking over a game at any moment. His explosiveness, shot creation, confidence, and ability to rise to the occasion are still on another level. There are stretches where he still looks like the best player on the floor like Game 4 against San Antonio where he willed his team to victory. If not for the knee injury slowing him down at times this postseason, he would likely be much higher on this list. Even with that, he comfortably lands at number five.

2026 Playoffs Statistics (So Far): 29.2 PPG 7.5 APG 5.4 RPG 1.0 SPG 44 FG% 40 3P%

Cade Cunningham has been absolutely carrying the Detroit Pistons throughout this postseason, and at times, it honestly feels like he is playing by himself. Every possession runs through him, whether it is creating offense for himself, setting up teammates, or simply trying to keep Detroit afloat offensively against a team like Cleveland. The pressure and responsibility on his shoulders this postseason have been enormous, yet he continues to rise to the occasion.

Yes, the turnovers have been an issue at times, but that comes with the territory when a player is carrying the kind of offensive load Cunningham has had to shoulder throughout these playoffs. Despite that, he has consistently looked like one of the best all-around players remaining in the postseason like he has been all year. The Pistons are still building toward becoming true contenders, but Cade has already proven he is capable of going out there and winning without a true number two option, which lands him at number four on this list.

2026 Playoffs Statistics (So Far): 27.4 PPG 6.1 APG 2.6 RPG 48.5 FG% 40.9 3P% 86.4 FT%

Jalen Brunson has become one of the all time great playoff risers over the last four years. Every single postseason, it feels like he somehow finds another level to his game and elevates the New York Knicks when they need him most. Whether it is hitting huge shots late, controlling the pace offensively, or completely taking over stretches of games, Brunson continues to prove he is built for playoff basketball.

Now, Brunson has the Knicks back in the Eastern Conference Finals for the second consecutive season, and they look primed to make a serious run to the NBA Finals and potentially win the whole thing. Everything about this team starts with him, and as long as he is leading the way, New York is going to believe they have a chance against anybody. That is what has landed him as the top player remaining in the Eastern Conference and third overall on the list.

2026 Playoffs Statistics (So Far): 20.4 PPG 11.2 RPG 4.2 BPG 2.4 APG .7 SPG 53.8 FG%

Victor Wembanyama comes in at number two on this list, and outside of a few quieter games, he has been absolutely dominant throughout this postseason. Every single time he steps on the floor, he completely changes the complexion of the game on both ends. Offensively, he imposes his will physically with the perimeter skill is something the league has never really seen before, while defensively he has been an outright nightmare for opposing teams to deal with.

At times, the numbers Wemby has put up have looked straight out of a video game, especially in the blocks category. He has already had playoff games with 5 blocks, 6 blocks, 7 blocks, and even an absurd 12 block performance. His ability to erase shots, disrupt offenses, and still dominate offensively at the same time makes him arguably the most unique player left in these playoffs, which comfortably lands him at number two.

2026 Playoffs Statistics (So Far): 29.1 PPG 7.1 APG 3.0 RPG .9 BPG .8 SPG 51.4 FG%

Finally, number one on this list is the reigning NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Through the first two rounds of the postseason, it has almost felt like he has coasted through the competition with ease alongside this powerhouse Oklahoma City Thunder team. Even while making things look effortless, Shai is still averaging just under 30 points per game and continues to completely control the flow of games whenever he is on the floor.

What makes Gilgeous-Alexander so dangerous is that he never seems rushed or out of control. Everything offensively operates at his pace, and no matter what defenses throw at him, he always seems to find his spots and deliver. Pair his elite scoring ability with his improving playmaking and strong defense, and it is pretty clear why he is the best player remaining in these playoffs. Right now, the road to a championship runs directly through Shai and Oklahoma City.

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