NBA Players With Most Consecutive Playoff Appearances

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The New York Knicks' Jason Kidd looks to attack the basket against the Washington Wizards' John Wall on March 1, 2013.
(Wikimedia Commons/Keith Allison)
Anatoly Pimentel @AnatolyPimentel Nov 20, 2023, 9:50 PM
  • Karl Malone and John Stockton are tied for the most consecutive playoff appearances in the NBA.
  • Tony Parker and Jason Kidd are second on the list in this category.
  • Apart from Malone and Stockton, all players listed have won an NBA title.

The dynamic duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton has set the record for an NBA player’s most consecutive playoff appearances with 19 each. Both Malone and Stockton became the Utah Jazz’s superstars who spearheaded the team’s NBA championship odds and led back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998.

Unfortunately, they failed both attempts to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy. Malone and Stockton also didn’t miss a postseason appearance throughout their careers since being drafted in 1985 and 1984, respectively. Following the Jazz superstars on the list are legendary point guards Tony Parker and Jason, who had 17 straight playoff appearances.

Parker, a four-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs, was vital to the team’s success as the leading floor general. The French national player finished his postseason career with averages of 17.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. Meanwhile, Jason Kidd starred for four different teams during this period and was crucial to every team’s rotation.

This successful postseason campaign by Kidd earned him a title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. Tim Duncan, Robert Horry and Scottie Pippen are sitting third on the list with 16 consecutive playoff appearances each. These three stars won multiple titles, with Duncan winning four rings with the Spurs, Horry collecting seven rings with three teams, and Pippen playing a massive part in Chicago’s two three-peats during the 90s.

Shaquille O’Neal and Clyde Drexler are rounding out the top-nine list. They each appeared in 15 consecutive playoff runs. Shaq suited up for four different teams and won four titles, while Drexler played for two only teams. O’Neal amassed incredible playoff statistical numbers of 24.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.1 blocks. On the other hand, Drexler racked up 20.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists.

Below is a table of NBA players with the most consecutive playoff appearances. Note that these numbers are as of the 2021-22 season.

NBA Players With Most Consecutive Playoff Appearances

RankPlayerConsecutive Playoff Appearances
T-1Karl Malone19
T-1John Stockton19
T-2Tony Parker17
T-2Jason Kidd17
T-3Tim Duncan16
T-3Robert Horry16
T-3Scottie Pippen16
T-4Shaquille O’Neal15
T-4Clyde Drexler15

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About the Author

Anatoly Pimentel

Read More @AnatolyPimentel

Anatoly Pimentel is an NBA and MMA writer previously featured in ASEAN Sports, Asian Persuasion MMA, and Overtime Heroics MMA. He graduated from Adamson University with a B.A in Communication and is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM.

Anatoly Pimentel is an NBA and MMA writer previously featured in ASEAN Sports, Asian Persuasion MMA, and Overtime Heroics MMA. He graduated from Adamson University with a B.A in Communication and is a Web Content Writer for BetMGM.