The NBA Playoffs feature the best teams and the brightest stars in the league. By now, fans should realize that the postseason is a different animal compared to the regular season. In fact, some superstars have yet to snag a playoff series win. Here is a look at the 10 most surprising NBA stars who've never won a playoff series.

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1. Maurice Stokes

Former Royal Maurice Stokes undergoes physical therapy exercises at Good Samaritan Hospital under the watchful eye of former teammate Jack Twyman and occupational therapist Mary Jo Ellis.
Enquirer File Photo

Maurice Stokes is the Pro Basketball Hall of Famer with the fewest playoff games in his career. And it happened in catastrophic fashion.

Stokes suffered a serious fall where he hit his head and was knocked unconscious for a few minutes in the final game of the 1957-58 regular season. However, he returned to the game and then played in Game 1 of their first-round matchup against the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Playoffs a few days later. Unfortunately, after the game, Stokes fell ill on the flight to Cincinnati, ending up permanently paralyzed due to post-traumatic encephalopathy.

2. Brandon Roy

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Brandon Roy (3) against the Chicago Bulls at the Target Center. The Timberwolves defeated the Bulls 82-75.
Brace Hemmelgarn-Imagn Images

Brandon Roy was one of the most electrifying stars during his peak. Unfortunately, injuries always haunted him throughout his career, making him one of the biggest what-if stories. Despite a handful of clutch moments, Roy never got to truly shine in the playoffs. Roy successfully led the Portland Trail Blazers to three straight playoff appearances, but they could never get past the first round. They lost to the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks.

3. Zach LaVine

Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) dribbles the ball against Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) during the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center.
Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Zach LaVine hasn't been lucky in terms of the teams he has played for. He started out his career with the mediocre Minnesota Timberwolves before becoming the face of a disappointing Chicago Bulls squad. While he did make a playoff appearance with the Bulls, they could only muster a first-round exit. Now with the Sacramento Kings, LaVine continues to hunt for his first playoff series win, but it'll have to wait after the Kings were bounced in the Play-In Tournament.

4. De'Aaron Fox

San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (4) dribbles against Dallas Mavericks forward Caleb Martin (16) in the first half at Frost Bank Center.
Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images

De'Aaron Fox is one of the most dangerous players in the clutch today. Prior to this year's trade deadline, he was also the face of the Kings, one of the pillars that helped ended the franchise's record-breaking playoff absence. Unfortunately, he failed to get the Kings its first series victory against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. However, Fox should easily remove himself from this list in the near future as he pairs with Victor Wembanyama following Fox's trade to the San Antonio Spurs.

5. Domantas Sabonis

Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (11) looks to pass against the Phoenix Suns during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center.
John Hefti-Imagn Images

Like Fox, Domantas Sabonis was part of the Kings squad that ended their playoff drought that lasted for 15 years. The son of Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis has made a name for himself in the NBA and established himself as an All-Star-caliber big man. But unlike his father, he has yet to find any success in the postseason, having yet to make it past the first round.

6. Alperen Sengun

Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) controls the ball against the Golden State Warriors during the fourth quarter of game four of the 2025 NBA Playoffs first round at Chase Center.
Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

In the 2024-25 season, Alperen Sengun made the leap, earning his first NBA All-Star Game appearance. Sengun has solidified himself as the cornerstone of the Houston Rockets thanks to his elite post-up play. But for several years, a playoff berth has remained elusive until this year. Unfortunately, the Golden State Warriors are proving to be franchise tormentors once more as the Warriors hold a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round matchup.

7. Cade Cunningham

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) shoots the ball as New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) defends during the fourth quarter of game four of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena.
David Reginek-Imagn Images

Playing for a cellar dweller like the Detroit Pistons has its challenges. However, like Sengun, Cade Cunningham has made an All-Star leap this year, propelling Detroit to a playoff appearance. However, inexperience is slowly creeping in, as the New York Knicks also hold a solid 3-1 series lead against Cunningham's Pistons.

8. Lauri Markkanen

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) shoots a technical free throw during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Delta Center.
Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Among active NBA players, Lauri Markkanen currently leads in terms of most games without a playoff appearance. The Finnish star hasn't been lucky enough to play for a serious playoff contender or be good enough to carry a team into the postseason. Currently with the Utah Jazz, it doesn't look like he's going to end his postseason absence anytime soon unless he gets moved via a trade.

9. Zion Williamson

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) in the second half at Target Center.
Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Like Markkanen, Zion Williamson has yet to appear in a playoff game. While he has successfully carried the New Orleans Pelicans to the playoffs twice, he has never seen action for the team due to injuries. Furthermore, the Pelicans simply couldn't take care of business without him in those playoff appearances.

10. LaMelo Ball

Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (1) brings the ball up court against the New York Knicks during the second half at Spectrum Center.
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Another superstar who has yet to make his playoff debut is LaMelo Ball. He has spent all his years in the NBA with the lowly Charlotte Hornets. He has pretty much performed like a star who fills up the stadiums for Charlotte. Unfortunately, his individual success has yet to translate to team victories on a consistent basis. Given that the franchise has been historically underwhelming, it'll probably require Ball to take his talents elsewhere if he wants to compete in the postseason.