With an NBA championship up for grabs, there's no question that every team that qualified for the NBA Playoffs is giving their best shot. As a result, it isn't surprising that NBA teams display the most physical and toughest line of defense.

However, throughout the years, basketball fans have witnessed several NBA players who still managed to pull off some showtime moves, despite the pressure and intensity of the playoffs. In fact, some of these plays would usually only be seen in an All-Star game. For this piece, let's take a look at 10 most bonkers All-Star Game-level plays pulled off in the NBA Playoffs.

LeBron James' self alley-oop twice in back-to-back Finals

Executing a self alley-oop is more often seen in an All-Star Game when there's little to no defense. However, in the NBA Finals with a championship on the line, LeBron James, managed to did it not just once but twice. In back-to-back Finals appearances, James managed to make an alley-oop to himself over the Golden State Warriors.

Kobe Bryant with a reverse pump dunk

Kobe Bryant puts it all on the line, especially during winning time. When the Lakers swept the Sacramento Kings, the Black Mamba couldn't help make the most out of a breakaway fastbreak play by pulling off a reverse pump dunk.

Al Horford gets free

Al Horford doesn't dunk very often. However, with the series tied in the final minutes of Game 5, the former Celtics big man realized not a single defender was boxing him out for the offensive rebound. From the weak side, Horford got free and decided to surprise everyone with a putback dunk that propelled the Celtics to win the series over Milwaukee.

Joel Embiid's windmill dunk

Joel Embiid often gets injured, especially in the playoffs. However, against the Raptors, Embiid managed to get free. With little to no pressure from defenses, the former NBA MVP pulled off a rare windmill dunk in Game 3 against the Toronto Raptors.

Michael Jordan's free throw line dunk

Free-throw-line dunks are usually attempted during the All-Star weekend, either in the Slam Dunk Contest or in the All-Star Game. However, Michael Jordan, who famously won the Slam Dunk Contest with a free-throw-line dunk, decided to do it in the playoffs as well.

His Airness pulled off the dunk against the Detroit Pistons in Game 2 of the 1989 Eastern Conference Finals. To make matters more interesting, Jordan was unfazed in doing the dunk against Bill Laimbeer, one of the Pistons' defensive aces, who appeared to foul him on the play, but there were no whistles.

Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet make music in transition

The Toronto Raptors surprisingly made it all the way to the 2019 NBA Finals. However, they weren't just happy to be there. In fact, they were there to accomplish one mission only, which is to put an end the Golden State Warriors' dynasty.

But while the Raptors were locked in, Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam showed everyone why they deserved to be All-Stars. In transition, VanVleet lobbed up a pass to a flying Siakam, which is usually a staple in All-Star festivities.

Giannis Antetokounmpo's game-sealing alley-oop from Jrue Holiday

Speaking of alley-oops, it's safe to say none was quite bigger than how Jrue Holiday made a daring alley-oop pass in transition in Game 5 of the 2021 NBA Finals. Despite the risky alley-oop, Giannis Antetokounmpo managed to catch it for a dunk while getting a three-point play opportunity. The shot sealed the game for the Bucks, which propelled them to an NBA championship.

Ja Morant's 360 

Three hundred sixty dunks usually happen on a fastbreak play. With tougher defenses in the playoffs, it's quite rare to see players pull out showtime dunks to protect themselves from injury.

However, on a rare occasion, Ja Morant managed to find himself in a breakaway play. But instead of scoring an easy two, the Grizzlies star decided to pull out the 360 to the amazement of fans in Memphis in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs.

Obi Toppin between-the-legs dunk

The Indiana Pacers accomplished a huge feat after advancing to the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. In Game 1 against the New York Knicks, the Pacers' Obi Toppin managed to break away on a fastbreak play and pulled off a crazy between-the-legs dunk. A between-the-legs dunk was surely a great way to shift the momentum into your team's favor.

Jamal Murray's steal and buzzer-beater

The Game 4 of the 2024 Playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves were looking to cut the Denver Nuggets' lead to single digits with the final shot before the half. However, a steal led to a Nuggets dunk with a couple seconds left. The Wolves then desperately tried a long pass for a quick shot before the half.

However, the Nuggets' Jamal Murray stepped in front of the pass, took one step, and heaved the ball from beyond half court just before stepping out of bounds and swished it at the buzzer for a 15-point lead. After the shot, Murray stared down TNT announcer Kevin Harlan, which created a viral moment.