Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard has forged his way among the best postseason performers in league history. His 41-point output makes him just the eighth player in NBA history with at least 40 points in a Game 7 win.

According to data culled by Basketball-Reference, the other seven players who have scored at least 40 points and won in a Game 7 are LeBron James (45 points), Paul Pierce (41), Allen Iverson (44), Charles Barkley (44), Michael Jordan (42), Calvin Murphy (42) and Sam Jones (47).

Just being in that list alone is a tangible proof that a player has done well in the postseason. After all, Game 7s are the biggest and toughest. At that point in the series, both teams have a clear idea of each other's strategies, tendencies and plays. Apart from basketball IQ, elite athleticism, what powers a team to a Game 7 victory is a confluence of heart, passion and the immense desire to claim that elusive championship ring.

Below is Leonard's 40th and 41st point: a buzzer-beating game-winner over Joel Embiid. More than being considered as one of the top playoff performers in history, perhaps what's important to Leonard is that they're just a series away from the NBA Finals.

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Toronto Raptors will be on Wednesday, May 14.