How many times has the NBA Finals gone to Game 7? Full List of All NBA finals game 7 in history.

Every active franchise has played a Game 7 in the Playoffs. But only a few have ever gone the distance in the NBA Finals. Like we said earlier, the NBA Finals have seen 20 Game 7, including the 2025 NBA Finals. Here are the 19 Game 7s that preceded this year’s game:

How many times game 7 has been in the NBA Finals in history?

That was the most recent of the 19 previous times that an NBA Finals has gone to a Game 7 in history. In the 21st century, there have been only four Game 7s before this year: Cavaliers - Heat (2016); Spurs - Heat (2013); Celtics - Lakers (2010); Pistons - Spurs (2005).

What was the last NBA Finals went to Game 7

The most recent NBA Finals to go to a Game 7 happens to have been one of the most memorable NBA Finals series in the history of sports.

The 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers were down 3-1 against the Golden State Warriors but clawed their way back to not only tie the series, but also win it in Game 7 on the road. They became the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Finals.

Complete List of Every NBA Finals Game 7 in History| All-time

1. Rochester Royals vs New York Knicks (1951 NBA finals Game 7)

On April 21, 1951, the Rochester Royals eked out a narrow 75-79 win over the New York Knicks in Game 7 of the 1951 NBA Finals.

2. New York Knicks vs Minneapolis Lakers (1952 NBA finals Game 7)

The second Game 7 in two years saw the Knicks face off against the then-Minneapolis Lakers. The Knicks were dominated by the Lakers in an 82-65 blowout on April 25, 1952.

3. Minneapolis Lakers vs Syracuse Nationals (1954 NBA finals Game 7)

The Lakers played in their second NBA Finals Game 7 on April 12, 1954. They beat the Syracuse Nationals in a hard-fought 87-80 win!

4. Fort Wayne Pistons vs Syracuse Nationals (1955 NBA finals Game 7)

The Syracuse Nationals went 1-1 in Game 7s of the NBA Finals as they defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons, 92-91 on April 10, 1955.

5. St. Louis Hawks vs Boston Celtics (1957 NBA finals Game 7)

This was Bill Russell’s first-ever Game 7 in an NBA Final. In it, his Boston Celtics squeaked out a 125-123 win over the St. Louis Hawks on April 13, 1957.

6. St. Louis Hawks vs Boston Celtics (1960 NBA finals Game 7)

A rematch from the 1957 iteration of the Finals saw the Celtics dominate the Hawks. Bill Russell and co. won this game 122-103 on Aoril 9, 1960.

7. Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics (1962 NBA finals Game 7)

The beginning of an unprecedented and unrepeated rivalry. Elgin Baylor and Jerry West weren’t able to best Bill Russell, losing 110-107 on April 18, 1962.

8. Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics (1966 NBA finals Game 7)

Their plans for revenge were thwarted as the Lakers lost their second Game 7 in a row, 05-93 on April 28, 1966.

9. Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics (1969 NBA finals Game 7)

Three years later and the Lakers and Celtics had completed a trifecta of NBA Finals Game 7 on May 5, 1969. However, the Lakers were still unable to conquer the Celtics, who won the game 108-106.

10. Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks (1970 NBA finals Game 7)

The Lakers’ misfortune in Game 7s continued on May 8, 1970. They handed the Knicks their first NBA title, with a blowout 113-99 loss in Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals.

11. Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks (1974 NBA finals Game 7)

The Celtics returned to the NBA Finals in 1974 to hand the Milwaukee Bucks a convincing 102-87 loss in Game 7 on May 12.

12. Washington Bullets vs Seattle Supersonics (1978 NBA finals Game 7)

It was a while before an NBA Finals Game 7 was played without the Lakers or Celtics’ involvement. But on June 7, 1978, the Washington Bullets beat the Seattle Supersonics in a 105-99 victory to clinch the NBA title.

13. Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics (1984 NBA finals Game 7)

However, six years after the Bullets’ win, the Lakers and Celtics had taken over again. And once more, the Celtics bested the Lakers in a 111-102 win on June 12, 1984.

14. Los Angeles Lakers vs Detroit Pistons (1988 NBA finals Game 7)

The Los Angeles Lakers finally broke their Game 7 curse. They beat the Detroit Pistons in a tight 108-105 game on June 21, 1988.

15. New York Knicks vs Houston Rockets (1994 NBA finals Game 7)

Despite their best efforts, the Knicks couldn’t win their title, losing 90-84 to the Hakeem Olajuwon-led Houston Rockets on June 22, 1994.

16. Detroit Pistons vs San Antonio Spurs (2005 NBA finals Game 7)

It took 11 years for the next NBA Finals Game 7. In it, Tim Duncan and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Detroit Pistons 81-74 on June 23, 2005.

17. Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers (2010 NBA finals Game 7)

It took the arrival of Kobe Bryant, but the Lakers finally beat the Celtics in an NBA Finals Game 7 after 5 unsuccessful attempts. Kobe led the Lakers to an 83-79 win on June 17, 2010.

18. San Antonio Spurs vs Miami Heat (2013 NBA finals Game 7)

After Ray Allen made THAT shot, the 2013 NBA Finals went to a Game 7. And LeBron James and the Miami Heat beat the Spurs 88-95 on June 20, 2013, to repeat as NBA Champions.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers vs Golden State Warriors ( 2026 NBA finals Game 7)

We just discussed this. But it can’t be stressed enough. LeBron and the Cavs completed the greatest comeback in NBA history on June 19, 201,6 by beating Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors, 93-89, to win the NBA title.

20. Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder (2025 NBA finals Game 7)

This game 7 between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder will be the 20th Game 7 in the history of the NBA Finals. And let’s just say it’s been a while since we saw a Finals series go to 7 games.

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