Kevin Durant NBA Finals 2017 Stats: Why the Slim Reaper Was Basically Unguardable

When Kevin Durant packed his bags for the Bay Area in 2016, the basketball world collectively lost its mind. People were calling it a "weak move." They said he was chasing an easy ring. But honestly, once the ball tipped off for Game 1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the conversation shifted from legacy talk to "How on earth do you stop this guy?"

The kevin durant nba finals 2017 stats aren't just good; they're borderline fictional. It was a five-game demolition that left LeBron James and a very talented Cavs squad looking completely helpless. We're talking about a player who averaged over 35 points while shooting nearly 50% from three-point range.

The Raw Numbers: A Five-Game Masterclass

Most players dream of having one "perfect" game in the Finals. KD had five of them.

He didn't just lead the Warriors in scoring; he did it with a efficiency that seems impossible under the bright lights. Across the series, Durant averaged 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game.

Those are "create-a-player" numbers.

He wasn't just a volume shooter, either. He became the first player since Shaquille O'Neal to score at least 30 points in every single game of a Finals series. Whether it was the transition dunks in Game 1 or the soul-crushing dagger in Game 3, he was the inevitable conclusion to every Warriors possession.

Game-by-Game Breakdown

Looking at the individual games, you can see the consistency that won him the unanimous Finals MVP.

• Game 1: 38 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, and 0 turnovers. (Yes, zero.)
• Game 2: 33 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 5 blocks.
• Game 3: 31 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists. This was the night of "The Shot."
• Game 4: 35 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists. (The only Warriors loss.)
• Game 5: 39 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists to clinch the trophy.

Kevin Durant NBA Finals 2017 Stats and the 50-40-90 Myth

People throw around the term "efficient" way too loosely. In the 2017 Finals, KD didn't just hit the 50-40-90 mark; he shattered it.

His shooting splits were a ridiculous 55.6% from the field, 47.4% from deep, and 92.7% from the free-throw line. When you combine those, his True Shooting percentage (TS%) sat at 69.8%. To put that in perspective, the league average TS% back then was around 55%.

He was nearly 15% more efficient than the average NBA player while being the primary focus of the defense.

Some critics argue he got "easy looks" because of the gravity of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. While it’s true the Cavs were terrified of leaving Steph open, tracking data from Second Spectrum actually shows something different. Durant still took a massive amount of contested shots. He just didn't care. His release point is so high that even when LeBron was draped all over him, it was basically a practice shot.

The Defensive Impact Nobody Talks About

We focus on the scoring because, well, 35 points a night is loud. But Durant's defense in 2017 was arguably just as vital.

He functioned as a secondary rim protector. In Game 2 alone, he swatted five shots. He ended the series with 1.6 blocks per game.

His ability to switch onto Kyrie Irving on one possession and then battle Tristan Thompson for a rebound on the next was the "cheat code" that made that Warriors defense so suffocating.

Advanced Metrics of Dominance

If you're into the deeper nerd stats, his 11.4 Box Plus-Minus (BPM) and his 29.0 PER (Player Efficiency Rating) during that run put him in the same air as 1991 Michael Jordan or 2000 Shaq. He wasn't just playing better than his peers; he was putting up a top-five all-time Finals performance.

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The Moment: Game 3 and "The Dagger"

The stats tell you he was great, but they don't capture the tension of Game 3. The Warriors were down by two with less than a minute left. Most players would look to pass to the hot hand or run an intricate play.

Durant just brought the ball up, saw LeBron James backing off slightly to prevent the drive, and pulled up for a three.

Swish.

That single shot basically ended the series. It demoralized the Cavs. It validated his move to Golden State. And it cemented his status as the best player on the floor for those two weeks.

Why These Stats Still Matter in 2026

Even now, years later, the kevin durant nba finals 2017 stats serve as the benchmark for "Superteam" production.

A lot of stars join forces, but few of them actually get better when they do. KD managed to increase his efficiency while maintaining his volume. It’s the gold standard for how a superstar should integrate into a winning system.

If you're debating who had the best individual Finals run of the modern era, you sort of have to start with Durant in 2017. He was a 7-foot sniper who played elite defense and never seemed to get tired.

Actionable Insights for Basketball Fans:

1. Watch the Game 1 Full Highlights: To truly understand the stats, look at the 6 dunks Durant had in the first half of Game 1. It shows how the Cavs' fear of the Warriors' shooters opened the lane for him.
2. Compare TS% Across Eras: If you're arguing about KD vs. LeBron vs. Jordan, use True Shooting Percentage. It accounts for the value of 3-pointers and free throws, which is where KD's 2017 stats really separate him from the pack.
3. Analyze the "Switch" Defense: Rewatch the fourth quarters of Games 3 and 5. Focus specifically on KD's positioning as a help-side defender. It's a clinic on how to use length to disrupt passing lanes without fouling.