Top 10 Worst Moments in NBA Finals History

The NBA Finals have produced some memorable moments, such as MJ's '98 winning shot, Bird vs. Magic, and even unexpected champions, including the Rockets, Mavericks, and Raptors, to name a few.

However, it has also produced some heartbreaking and terrible moments. These are the worst moments in NBA Finals history.

The Top Ten

  1. Spurs Blow Largest Lead in NBA Finals History - 2026 NBA Finals Game 4

    Trailing two games to one in the 2026 NBA Finals, the Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, came out of the gates and routed the Knicks to build a 29-point lead midway through the third quarter. What happened next was remarkable, as the Knicks stormed all the way back to seize a one-point lead with a minute left. Despite San Antonio retaking the lead, De'Aaron Fox failed to run as much time off the clock as he had his shot blocked by OG Anunoby. Then, after Jalen Brunson missed the three-pointer, Anunoby tipped in the rebound to put New York up one with one second to go, and the Spurs failed to capitalize. In what was a theme throughout the series, the Spurs would lose three games in which they led by double-digits, but failed to close the show as the Knicks won the title in Game 5.

  2. Nick Anderson Bricks Four Straight Free Throws in Final Seconds - 1995 NBA Finals Game 1

    Needing one free throw to take Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the defending champion Houston Rockets, Nick Anderson, Orlando's first-ever draft pick, was fouled and went to the line. Despite being a reliable free throw shooter, Anderson bricked both shots but got his own rebound and was fouled again. After missing a third free throw, Anderson then missed the fourth, and this time, Houston got the ball and tied the game on a Kenny Smith three. The Rockets won the game in overtime and would go on to sweep the NBA Finals.

  3. 73-Win Golden State Warriors Blow 3-1 Series Lead - 2016 NBA Finals Game 7

    The Warriors, looking to repeat as NBA Champions, had set an NBA record with 73 victories and would cruise throughout the playoffs before taking a 3-1 lead on LeBron and the Cavaliers. Two opportunities later, the series was tied at three apiece, and Game 7 was in Golden State.

    Golden State started off well, but LeBron's big block, Kyrie's big three-pointer, and Kevin Love's big-time defense on league MVP Steph Curry led to the first 3-1 series collapse in the NBA Finals. To this day, the Warriors hold the NBA record for most wins, but have no ring to show for it.

  4. John Starks Shoots 2-for-18 - 1994 NBA Finals Game 7

    The Knicks were up 3-2 heading back to Houston for Game 6. Trailing by two points with five seconds left, New York's opportunity to seal its first title in 21 years rested on the shoulders of John Starks, who had been the hottest player in the series. Starks had an open shot for the winning three-pointer, but league MVP Hakeem Olajuwon barely got a fingertip on the ball to deflect the shot and force a Game 7.

    In Game 7, Starks had the worst performance of his career, shooting 2-of-18 as New York lost 90-84 to the Rockets, prolonging its championship drought. What made this performance frustrating was Pat Riley's reluctance to bench Starks and sub in veteran Rolando Blackman.

  5. Kawhi Leonard Misses Big Free Throw, Leading to a Game-Tying Three from Ray Allen - 2013 NBA Finals Game 6

    San Antonio looked to go 5-of-5 in its NBA Finals appearances as it returned to Miami up 3-2 in the series. Despite a hard-fought battle, the Spurs' Kawhi Leonard went to the line needing two free throws to ice the game, but he wound up sinking one to go up 95-92. The Heat had one chance to tie with LeBron James, who missed the three, but Miami grabbed the rebound and handed the ball to Ray Allen, who connected from the corner three to tie the game.

    San Antonio's last shot to win in regulation didn't go through, and the Heat took the game in overtime. While Game 7 was a battle down the stretch, the momentum belonged to Miami, which secured its second straight NBA title.

  6. J.R. Smith Forgets the Score - 2018 NBA Finals Game 1

    For the fourth year in a row, the Cavaliers met the Warriors in the NBA Finals. In Game 1, the score was tied when George Hill missed a potential go-ahead free throw for Cleveland. J.R. Smith grabbed the rebound, and for some reason, he thought the Cavaliers were already ahead, so he dribbled out the clock, forcing overtime. The Warriors won the game and swept the series.

  7. Miami Heat Blows Late Lead to Dallas - 2011 NBA Finals Game 2

    In LeBron's first year with Miami, the Heat reached the NBA Finals, where they were expected to beat the incredible run of the Dallas Mavericks. Miami won Game 1 and was up 15 points in the fourth quarter, looking to go up 2-0. But Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks had other ideas, as they rallied back to steal the game and bring the series to Dallas even at a game apiece. Despite winning Game 3, the Heat would be outplayed for the rest of the series as the Mavericks secured their first title on Miami's home floor.

  8. Celtics Ruin Lakers' Party Plans - 1969 NBA Finals Game 7

    After six previous failed attempts, the Lakers were confident that attempt number seven would see them beat Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics in the 1969 NBA Finals. Despite another hard-fought series that came down to Game 7, it was the Lakers who had home court. Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke had made victory plans before Game 7 but failed to consider that leaving those plans on the seats would lead to some Celtics players taking exception. Boston would once again beat the Lakers to finish their run of 11 titles in 13 seasons.

  9. Tyrese Haliburton Gets Injured During Game 7 of the NBA Finals - 2025 NBA Finals Game 7

    Throughout the 2025 NBA playoffs, Tyrese Haliburton was the go-to player for the Pacers, who marched all the way to the NBA Finals. While Haliburton hit the game-winning shot in Game 1 and his Pacers took a 2-1 series lead, he had been plagued by a right calf injury that he fought through as the series went back to Oklahoma City for Game 7.

    Despite getting off to a great start, Haliburton and the Pacers' dream of NBA Finals glory was shattered with 4:55 to go in the first quarter when he suffered a torn right Achilles. OKC's title remains a what-if, given that the Pacers led by one at halftime before the wheels came off following the injury.

  10. Frank Selvy Misses Series-Winning Shot - 1962 NBA Finals Game 7

    The Lakers couldn't beat the Celtics during the 1960s in seven NBA Finals matchups, but Game 7 in 1962 was the one that haunts them to this day. Down four in the final minute, the Lakers got two rebounds and four points from Frank Selvy, who once scored an NCAA record 100 points in a single game.

    After a defensive stop, LA got the ball back and looked to Jerry West, but he was covered. The ball went to Selvy, who had the wide-open shot from 12 feet out. Unfortunately, the shot missed, and the game went into overtime, where the Celtics won 110-107.

BAdd New Item