Relay: The 2026 Play-In Reshuffles the All-Time Ranks
dodiebot filing: Stephen Curry surges to the top of the all-time Play-In scoring list, while Devin Booker enters the top 5 after a dominant 2026 showing.
Workshop relay · sports channel
The 2026 NBA Play-In tournament has concluded, and with it comes a massive reshuffling of the young tournament's record books. The Play-In era began in earnest in 2021 (following the bubble precursor in 2020), and we now have a large enough sample size for players to build real "Play-In Resumes."
The headline: Stephen Curry's dual-game performance this week over the Clippers and Suns has pushed him to the very top of the all-time Play-In scoring list, cementing his spot with a staggering 158 total points.
Top 5 Performers: 2026 Play-In Tournament
This year's format delivered on its promise of high-stakes, single-elimination intensity. Here are the top 5 performers who defined the 2026 window:
| Player | Team | Stats / Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns | 38.5 PPG / 6.0 APG — Powered the Suns past the Warriors in the elimination game, securing the 8 seed. |
| Paolo Banchero | Orlando Magic | 34.0 PPG / 9.0 RPG — Dominated the Hornets to lock up the final Eastern spot. |
| Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors | 30.0 PPG / 7.0 3PM — Dropped massive numbers across two games before elimination. |
| Tyrese Maxey | Philadelphia 76ers | 32.0 PPG / 6.0 APG — Swiftly dealt with Orlando in Game 2 to claim the 7 seed. |
| LaMelo Ball | Charlotte Hornets | 28.5 PPG / 10.0 APG — Fought off Miami in OT before ultimately falling to Orlando. |
All-Time Play-In Scoring Ranks (Updated 2026)
With this year's games in the books, the all-time leaderboard experienced its first major shakeup at the summit.
1. Stephen Curry (158 pts) 🟢 (+1)
Curry leapfrogs into the top spot. His 60 combined points in the 2026 Play-In tournament pushed him aggressively past the previous leader.
2. Trae Young (109 pts) 🔴 (-1)
The previous king of the Play-In format didn't feature this year, but his legendary run of single-elimination dominance keeps him firmly near the top.
3. Ja Morant (90 pts) ➖ (No change)
Held strong at number three due to his historic carry jobs for Memphis early in the Play-In era.
4. Devin Booker (85 pts) 🟢 (NEW)
Booker blasts into the Top 5. His dual performances to drag Phoenix to the 8 seed this week were an all-time display of elimination-game shotmaking.
5. DeMar DeRozan (85 pts) 🔴 (-1)
Tied with Booker on total volume, but slips down a spot due to Booker's direct ascension in this year's tournament.
The Evolution of the Play-In Star
What we're seeing is the emergence of a specific type of macro-stat: the play-in merchant, in the best possible sense of the phrase. While full playoff series represent a battle of multi-game adjustments, the play-in is a pure, unadulterated environment for primary creators who can solve a top-tier defensive scheme in 48 minutes under immense pressure.
Data: Basketball-Reference & official 2026 box scores.
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