Top 10 Best NBA Finals Game 7s

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will play a Game 7 in the 2025 NBA Finals. This will be the 20th Game 7 played since the NBA Finals began in 1947.

Here is a list of the top 10 best Game 7s in NBA Finals history.

The Top Ten

2016 - Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors

In the midst of a 3-1 comeback, the Cleveland Cavaliers shocked the NBA world by taking down the 73-win Golden State Warriors.
LeBron James made the play of the series with his chasedown block of Andre Iguodala while Kyrie Irving delivered the game-winning three-pointer as the Cavaliers won Cleveland's first professional sports championship since 1964.
1970 - New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

In one of the most inspirational moments ever, the Knicks' Willis Reed, who suffered a torn thigh injury in Game 5, emerged from the tunnel suited up in uniform in front of a raucous Madison Square Garden crowd. Reed would then hit his first two shots of the game, which sparked the Knicks to a 113-99 victory over the Lakers.
He also limited Wilt Chamberlain to two baskets in nine shot attempts. Despite 36 points from Clyde Frazier, it was Reed who was named the Finals MVP.
1984 - Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers

The first NBA Finals meeting between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson came down to the wire in Game 7. Cedric Maxwell led Boston with 24 points while the Lakers had rallied from 14 points down to close within 105-102 with a minute to go.
Maxwell then stole the ball from Magic and the Celtics converted free throws to clinch the series 111-102.
1988 - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons

After winning Game 6 in a close victory, the Lakers fulfilled their destiny of repeating as NBA Finals champions with a narrow 108-105 victory. The Pistons led by five at the half before the Lakers turned things around to lead by 15 early in the 4th quarter.
The game's final moments saw Bill Laimbeer throw a pass to Thomas, who tripped up just as the fans stormed the court before time expired. The Pistons should've had a chance to tie the game, but the refs ignored the final seconds and Pat Riley's guarantee of back-to-back titles was fulfilled.
1969 - Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers

After years of losing to the Bill Russell-led Celtics, it seemed the Lakers had the team to finally beat their arch rivals in 1969. Their owner, Jack Kent Cooke, even had flyers handed out to everyone with plans of a postgame celebration.
This got back to Russell and the Celtics, who jumped out to a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter. With Wilt Chamberlain injured and Jerry West catching fire, the Lakers clawed to within 103-102, but Don Nelson's jumper that hit the iron, went high in the air before coming back down for the make, proved to be the back breaker as the Celtics won 108-106 for their 11th championship.
The only consolation for the Lakers? Jerry West was named the first and remains the only Finals MVP on the losing team.
1957 - Boston Celtics vs. St. Louis Hawks

Game 7 of 1957 was a double-overtime contest few people talk about. In both regulation and the first overtime, the Hawks made game-tying buckets to extend the contest.
With the Hawks down 125-123 in the second overtime and six seconds to go, they were able to complete a full-court pass to Bob Pettit, who missed the game-tying layup, perhaps due to being surprised the pass worked. Boston would win their first championship in franchise history.
2013 - Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs

After a thrilling comeback win in Game 6, the Heat sealed Game 7 95-88 to repeat as NBA champions.
Down by two points, the Spurs tried to tie the game in the final minute but couldn't get the basket, and LeBron James converted his 37th point of the contest to clinch the title.
1978 - Washington Bullets vs. Seattle SuperSonics

Washington and Seattle battled to a Game 7 in 1978. Sonics guard Dennis Johnson, who surged in the NBA Finals, missed all 14 shots in Game 7, but Seattle had kept it close thanks to Jack Sikma and Marvin Webster, who combined for 48 points.
In front of a home crowd at the Kingdome, Seattle rallied back from 11 points down to get within 101-99 before the Bullets converted free throws to win 105-99. This would be the last time a team won Game 7 on the road until 2016.
1962 - Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Boston's fourth straight title almost didn't happen as they were on the cusp of losing Game 7 to the Lakers. Despite 40 rebounds from Bill Russell, LA gave the ball to Frank Selvy, who had a wide-open shot to end the Celtics' run.
It missed and the game went into overtime. Boston held on for a 110-107 victory.
1994 - Houston Rockets vs. New York Knicks

The only NBA Finals of the '90s to go to Game 7 saw the Rockets and Knicks battle down the stretch before Houston won their first title 90-84.
John Starks, who had been the Knicks' best player throughout the series, picked the wrong time to have his worst game, going 2-of-18 while league MVP Hakeem Olajuwon outplayed Patrick Ewing in Game 7 and won the first of two straight Finals MVPs.