The NBA playoffs are where the league’s biggest stars are expected to deliver for their respective teams. Yet every year, there are unsung role players who step up in the big moments to swing games. While it may seem random, there are a few rotation players who seem to do this year in and year out.
They may not be superstars or All-Stars. They may not even be starters. They’re the complementary pieces who thrive in smaller roles but step into bigger ones when it matters most. And in the playoffs, that can make all the difference.
We’ve already seen a number of depth players step up and make a sizeable impact on this year’s postseason. However, this isn’t a new trend. Here’s a look at a few role players around the league who consistently thrive in the playoffs.
Rui Hachimura, Lakers
Hachimura typically operates as a complementary scorer and is often the fourth or fifth option in Los Angeles’ lineup. In the playoffs, Hachimura’s efficiency takes a noticeable leap, especially from beyond the arc.
For his career, the NBA veteran is shooting a staggering 50.8% from three-point range in the playoffs. This is a massive jump from his regular-season numbers. His shot selection becomes cleaner, and his confidence grows, often capitalizing on open looks and attacking mismatches with more aggression.
Playing alongside a superstar like LeBron James creates cleaner scoring opportunities for Hachimura, particularly on catch-and-shoot looks where defenses are focused elsewhere. His role also becomes more simplified in the playoffs. Here he plays faster and more confidently while taking advantage of favourable matchups against weaker defenders.
When Hachimura is in rhythm, he becomes exactly the kind of secondary scorer who can swing a game or even a series without needing the offense to run through him.
Derrick White, Celtics
White operates as a secondary guard within the Celtics’ star-heavy lineup. He’s valued more for decision-making and defense than volume scoring. He’s typically a third or fourth option on the offensive end, serving as a steady, low-mistake contributor.
In the playoffs, White’s impact becomes far more pronounced. He was a major factor during Boston’s 2024 title run, shooting efficiently and delivering in key moments. Celtics fans will never forget his buzzer-beating putback in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to keep his team alive.
White’s skill set becomes even more valuable in the playoffs. Here, slower-paced games place a greater emphasis on ball movement and efficiency. Consistent minutes help him stay involved offensively, while his defensive intensity and hustle plays tend to stand out more in tighter, lower-scoring matchups.
White’s ability to defend, make quick decisions and hit timely shots makes him one of the most reliable complementary guards in high-pressure playoff situations.
Josh Hart, Knicks
Hart is a classic glue guy who impacts the game without needing touches. He’s known more for rebounding, defense and effort than shot creation, often doing the smaller things that don’t show up in standard box scores.
Hart’s overall impact becomes far more noticeable in the playoffs. During the 2024 postseason, he averaged 40+ minutes per game, while putting up roughly 14 PPG, 11 RPG and 4 APG, a rare stat line for a wing. He’s carried that same impact into this year’s playoffs. Once again he has filled the stat sheet and done the dirty work that wins games.
His versatility allows him to impact games in multiple ways, whether it’s defending different positions, rebounding or making quick decisions on offence. He’s also great at turning defensive rebounds into transition opportunities, which plays directly into his strengths as an energy player.
Hart can control possessions, extend plays and contribute across the board, which makes him the kind of player who quietly shifts the outcome of playoff games.
Marcus Smart, Lakers
Smart is known first for his defense, toughness and leadership. As a guard, he’s typically a third or fourth option offensively. He tends to act as more of a facilitator and tone-setter than a go-to scoring threat.
In the playoffs, Smart’s scoring tends to rise alongside his usual defensive impact. Over recent postseasons, his point production has consistently ticked up compared to the regular season. He appears to be doing it again this year, surpassing his 9 PPG from the regular season to average 15 PPG in the playoffs.
Smart’s defensive intensity often creates offense, whether through steals, loose balls or physical play that leads to easy transition points. Plus, his years of postseason experience give him a strong feel for the pace, physicality and execution required in high-pressure moments.
While his value starts on defense, his offensive game transforms in the playoffs. His ability to add scoring in the postseason makes him a far more impactful player, often delivering timely scoring bursts in key moments.
The Unusual Suspects
The NBA playoffs are built around star power, but they’re rarely decided by it alone. As defenses tighten and possessions become more deliberate, it’s often the unexpected contributors who end up swinging games.
Every postseason introduces a few new names into that conversation. Players who don’t dominate headlines suddenly find themselves in pivotal moments. The idea that anyone on the floor can become their team’s X-factor is part of what makes playoff basketball so compelling. In the end, championship runs aren’t just defined by star performances. They’re defined by the unusual suspects, the ones who step into the spotlight just long enough to make a difference.
