Every Game 7 in NBA Finals history: Complete list, dramatic moments & heroic performances that won a championship

It isn't often in the modern era that the entire NBA season comes down to one game, but when it does happen, legacies are defined.

Game 7 of the NBA Finals is where so many of basketball's iconic moments have been born, including LeBron James' block of Andre Iguodala on his way to an iconic come-from-behind championship. 

Game 7s haven't been all that common in the NBA Finals since the turn of the century. With parity reaching new heights in the league, however, there are signals more could be on the horizon.

Here's a complete list of every NBA Finals Game 7 and the most iconic performances that led to championship glory.

MORE: Complete list of every NBA Finals MVP in history

Complete list of every NBA Finals Game 7

Game 7 between the Pacers and Thunder was be the 20th NBA Finals Game 7 in NBA history. Here's a detailed look at each.

1951 NBA Finals: Knicks vs. Royals

The first Game 7 in NBA Finals history was played in Rochester in 1951, when the Royals — now playing as the Sacramento Kings — outlasted the Knicks to win their first championship. The Knicks were looking to complete a comeback that would have changed history, as they trailed the series 3-0 before winning three consecutive games to even things at three games apiece. Instead, New York lost and, to this day, no team has ever won an NBA playoff series after trailing 3-0.

1952 NBA Finals: Knicks vs. Lakers

The Knicks came back in 1952 with a chance to put their 1951 Game 7 loss behind them, but they posted easily their lowest scoring output of the series in the winner-take-all contest. The Lakers won every quarter, holding New York to eight points in the third, and George Mikan led the charge for Minneapolis with 22 points and 19 rebounds in a comfortable win.

1954 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Nationals

As was the case in 1952, the Lakers held three separate series leads in the NBA Finals but let their opponent answer each time. The Nationals, currently playing as the 76ers, scored 16 more points in the second half of Game 7 than they did in the first half, but it wasn't enough to put much of a scare into the Lakers as Minneapolis won its fifth NBA championship in six years.

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1955 NBA Finals: Pistons vs. Nationals

A year after dropping Game 7 to the Lakers, the Nationals got the chance to host a Game 7 in Syracuse and narrowly prevailed over the Fort Wayne Pistons. A balanced scoring effort saw seven players score in double figures for the Nationals, and George King sealed the win with a go-ahead free throw followed by a steal.

1957 NBA Finals: Hawks vs. Celtics

A year before the Hawks upset the Celtics following an injury to Bill Russell, Boston narrowly survived a scare from Bob Pettit and St. Louis. The Hawks took Games 1 and 3 before forcing a Game 7 with a narrow win in Game 6. The decisive game was a thriller as well, with the Hawks forcing two overtimes but Pettit missing a shot at the buzzer that would have sent the game to a third overtime. 1957 marks the only NBA Finals Game 7 to require multiple overtimes. Bill Russell recorded 32 rebounds in the win, while Tom Heinsohn posted 37 points and 23 rebounds. 

1960 NBA Finals: Hawks vs. Celtics

The third of four NBA Finals matchups between the Celtics and Hawks, their 1960 series went to a Game 7 despite St. Louis never holding a series lead. Instead, the Hawks answered each Celtics win until they couldn't anymore. Boston avoided drama in Game 7, riding a dominant second quarter to a comfortable win to capture the franchise's third championship in four years.

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1962 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics

One of many heartbreaks for the Lakers with Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, L.A. held 2-1 and 3-2 series leads before letting the Celtics right back into the series. Boston won an exciting Game 7 at home again, with Frank Selvy missing a game-winning shot attempt at the end of regulation for the Lakers. The Celtics prevailed in overtime and kept their dynasty alive and well despite a scare. 

1966 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics

The Lakers lost Game 7 to the Celtics by another narrow margin in 1966, but most of the game wasn't as close as the score indicates. L.A. entered the fourth quarter down by 16 and nearly made up the deficit, but Boston would hold on to extend its run of dominance over the Lakers and the league. The Lakers had to win Games 5 and 6 of the series just to force Game 7.

1969 NBA Finals: Celtics vs. Lakers

The pattern continued for the Lakers in 1969, as they lost series leads of 2-0 and 3-2 to the Celtics in another heartbreaking turn of events. L.A. stormed back in the fourth quarter to pull within a point of the lead, but the Celtics were able to force costly turnovers in the closing minutes and hold on for a road win to extend their dynasty. For the Lakers, the loss came as arguably their biggest disappointment yet with Wilt Chamberlain on the roster alongside West and Baylor. West, meanwhile, was named the first-ever NBA Finals MVP despite his Lakers losing the series.

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1970 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Knicks

A new opponent brought no new luck for the Lakers, who forced a Game 7 against the Knicks with a 135-point outburst in Game 6 but couldn't sustain that pace back at Madison Square Garden. Energized by Willis Reed's valiant effort through injury, the Knicks coasted to a win and captured their first NBA championship. 

1974 NBA Finals: Bucks vs. Celtics

The Bucks' quest to win their second championship with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson fell just short in 1974, despite Milwaukee answering each of the Celtics' first three wins in the series. Playing on the road, Boston put together a strong second quarter and pulled away from the Bucks in the fourth to capture the franchise's first championship since 1969.

1978 NBA Finals: Bullets vs. Sonics

The Sonics held three separate series leads in the 1978 NBA Finals, winning Games 1, 3 and 5, but the Bullets answered all three times and won in Seattle when it mattered most. Washington built up a double-digit lead entering the fourth quarter, and a strong finish from the Sonics wasn't enough to close the gap and deny the Bullets their first championship. The Sonics would get their revenge in 1979 with an NBA Finals win over the Bullets in a much more comfortable five games.

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1984 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Celtics

The Lakers had already overcome their demons by this point with championships in 1972, 1980 and 1982, but beating the Celtics in the NBA Finals was still something that eluded the franchise. It wouldn't happen this time, with a newer era of Lakers stars suffering a familiar Game 7 defeat in Boston. The Celtics went into the fourth quarter with a 13-point advantage and held on with the help of a terrific performance by Cedric Maxwell. 

1988 NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Pistons

After the Pistons finally dethroned the Celtics and won the Eastern Conference, they appeared to be in position to win their first championship with a 3-2 series lead over the Lakers. Isiah Thomas powered through a serious ankle injury to nearly clinch the series for Detroit in Game 6, but he was far less effective in Game 7, and the Pistons couldn't quite overcome a fourth quarter deficit. James Worthy led the Lakers with a 36-point triple-double in Game 7 and earned Finals MVP honors.

1994 NBA Finals: Rockets vs. Knicks

The 1994 NBA Finals might be best known for the O.J. Simpson chase that coincided with Game 5, but the Rockets remember it for their first of back-to-back championships. Houston kept its season alive with a narrow win in Game 6, blocking the Knicks from celebrating a title, and a strong effort from Hakeem Olajuwon sealed a championship for the Rockets on their home floor in Game 7. John Starks shot just 2-for-18 in the loss for the Knicks, including 0-for-11 from 3-point range.

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2005 NBA Finals: Pistons vs. Spurs

The 2005 NBA Finals featured a meeting of the league's two most recent champs, and the series was a battle worthy of such a matchup. The Pistons, attempting to defend their 2004 title, answered with two wins after the Spurs jumped out to a 2-0 series lead, and they were able to force a Game 7 on the road in Game 6. Detroit was held to 74 points in a physical Game 7, however, with Tim Duncan posting a 25-point double-double to lead San Antonio to its third championship and second in three years. 

2010 NBA Finals: Celtics vs. Lakers

The Lakers won the final two games of the 2010 NBA Finals to capture their fifth and final championship of the Kobe Bryant era, and they did so with their defense. The Celtics were held to 67 points in Game 6 and 79 points in Game 7, and that was enough for L.A. to survive a dismal 6-of-24 shooting performance from Bryant in the decisive game. The Celtics spent much of the final minutes attempting to battle back, twice pulling within a possession of the Lakers, but L.A. held on with the help of free throws. 

2013 NBA Finals: Spurs vs. Heat

Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals might not have had the same thrilling moment that Game 6 did, with Ray Allen saving Miami's season in the closing seconds, but it was a tight battle nearly the entire way. The Spurs trailed by two with under a minute remaining and had a chance to tie or take the lead, but a shot near the rim by Tim Duncan missed, and the Heat would seal the game as time ticked away. Miami won its second consecutive championship with the victory, though the Spurs would exact their revenge the following year and break up the Heat's "big three." 

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2016 NBA Finals: Cavaliers vs. Warriors

The tension of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals was unmatched, as the Warriors tried for the third consecutive game to finish the job and win a title after a record-setting 73-win season after seeing a 3-1 series lead slip away. It was the only game of the series in which both teams scored less than 100 points, and a tight fourth quarter saw only 31 total points as each side went cold in the closing minutes. Kyrie Irving hit a massive 3-pointer to break an 89-89 tie in the final minute, and Stephen Curry missed a late shot that could have tied the game as LeBron James and the Cavaliers held on for the monumental win. 

2025 NBA Finals: Pacers vs. Thunder

Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals was rocked by a devastating Achilles tear for Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton after a hot start by the point guard, who drilled three early 3s for Indiana. The Pacers still hung with the Thunder, taking a one-point lead into halftime, but Oklahoma City's swarming defense took control in the second half and pushed the lead as high as 21 by the fourth quarter. Despite an inconsistent night for MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder rolled to their first title since the Sonics won in 1979. 

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Most iconic NBA Finals Game 7 performances

Tom Heinsohn, Celtics (1957)

• 37 points
• 23 rebounds
• 17-33 FG

The Celtics needed two terrific individual performances to outlast Bob Pettit and the Hawks in Game 7 of the 1957 NBA Finals, with Tom Heinsohn posting 37 points and 23 rebounds while Bill Russell finished his rookie season with a 32-rebound game. Heinsohn shot better than 50 percent in the final game of his own rookie season, recording easily his highest scoring output of the Finals when the Celtics needed it most, and he was dominant on the boards as well, even as Russell soaked up so many rebounds. 

Jerry West, Lakers (1969)

• 42 points
• 13 rebounds
• 12 assists
• 14-29 FG

It took a special effort for Jerry West to win the first NBA Finals MVP award in a losing effort, with West exploding for 42 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists as the Lakers again fell just short against the Celtics. West led the charge as L.A. attempted to complete a furious comeback against Boston with the home crowd behind him, but instead, his performance goes down as perhaps the best ever in a Game 7 loss in the NBA Finals. 

Willis Reed, Knicks (1970)

• 4 points
• 3 rebounds
• 1 assist

It's not Willis Reed's numbers that give him one of the most iconic Game 7 performances in NBA history; it's the fact he played in the game at all. Thought to be done for the series with a serious leg injury, Reed warmed up for the Knicks before Game 7 against the Lakers and decided to suit up. He made the Knicks' first two baskets, sending the Madison Square Garden crowd into a frenzy, and that energy helped carry the Knicks to a comfortable win even as his impact was limited the rest of the way. 

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James Worthy, Lakers (1988)

• 36 points
• 16 rebounds
• 10 assists
• 15-22 FG

It's hard to call James Worthy's performance in Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals anything other than one of the best ever in a win-or-go-home game. Worthy posted a 36-point triple double on 15-of-22 shooting, recording 16 rebounds and 10 assists in a game in which the Lakers needed every bit of help they could get. L.A. outlasted the Pistons by three points with Isiah Thomas hobbled for Detroit, capturing another championship despite trailing the series after five games.

Hakeem Olajuwon, Rockets (1994)

• 25 points
• 11 rebounds
• 7 assists
• 3 blocks

The Rockets and Knicks relied heavily on defense in the 1994 NBA Finals, but Hakeem Olajuwon impressed on the offensive end to lift Houston to victory in Game 7. The big man posted 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists along with three blocks, shooting a mildly inefficient 10-of-25 from the field but still coming through in every way possible for Houston with the season on the line. Olajuwon was rewarded with his first Finals MVP award.

LeBron James, Heat (2013)

• 37 points
• 12 rebounds
• 4 assists
• 12-23 FG

The narrative surrounding LeBron James and big games was loud before 2012, when he won his first championship in his second season with the Heat. An NBA Finals Game 7 was brand new territory for him in 2013, and he delivered despite all of the noise. James led the Heat with 37 of their 95 points, adding 12 rebounds and shooting better than 50 percent. James hit a jumper in the closing minute to ice the game and set Miami up for its second of back-to-back titles.

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NBA Teams with the most Game 7s

Most Game 7 wins

The Celtics and Lakers are the only teams with more than one win in an NBA Finals Game 7. Boston holds the record with seven, while the Lakers have four. 

The 76ers, Kings and Wizards all won NBA Finals Game 7s under different names.

Most Game 7 appearances

The Lakers hold the record for most appearances in Game 7 of the NBA Finals with nine, followed by eight for the Celtics. The Knicks and Pistons are the only other teams with more than two appearances.

The Thunder are making their second appearance in an NBA Finals Game 7, including their time as the Sonics, while the Pacers are making their first.

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How many Game 7s in the NBA Finals?

There have been 20 Game 7s in NBA Finals history, including five in the 21st century. 

When was the last Game 7 of the NBA Finals?

The last NBA Finals Game 7 came in 2025, with the Thunder defeating the Pacers after a devastating injury to Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton. It was the first NBA Finals Game 7 in nine years, stretching back to the Cavaliers' memorable win over the Warriors in 2016.

NBA Finals Game 7 records

Most points in a game by a player

Jerry West holds the record for most points in Game 7 of the NBA Finals with 42 for the Lakers in 1969. The three highest-scoring performances in a Game 7 all came in losing efforts; LeBron James' 37 points in 2013 are the most by a player on the winning team.

Most rebounds in a game by a player

Bill Russell set the record for rebounds in an NBA Finals Game 7 with 40 for the Celtics in 1962.

Most assists in a game by a player

Walt Frazier holds the record for assists in an NBA Finals Game 7 with 19 for the Knicks in 1970.

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Largest margin of victory

The Celtics' 122-103 win over the Hawks in Game 7 of the 1960 NBA Finals stands as the largest margin of victory at 19 points. 

Oldest player to win a Game 7

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the oldest player in NBA history to win an NBA Finals Game 7 at 40 years old in 1988.

Youngest player to win a Game 7

While well over a dozen players have won a championship younger than him, former Bullets guard Phil Walker is the youngest to win an NBA Finals Game 7, winning at 22 years old in 1978. The 1977-78 season would be Walker's only NBA campaign.

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