How many Game 7s in NBA Finals history? Full list of winners, matchups, stats since 1951

LeBron James has played in the past two NBA Finals Game 7s, winning both. First with Miami beating San Antonio in 2013 and then with Cleveland toppling Golden State.

The Boston Celtics have been involved in eight Finals Game 7s – the first one in 1957 and the most recent in 2010 – and they are 7-1.

The Lakers have also played in eight Game 7s in the Finals – two as the Minneapolis Lakers and six as the Los Angeles Lakers.

In 19 Game 7s in the Finals, the Celtics and Lakers have played each other five times.

And on Sunday, June 22, the Oklahoma City Thunder will play the Indiana Pacers in Oklahoma City (8 p.m. ET, ABC) in the 20th Game 7 in NBA Finals history.

Take note: the home team is 15-4 in Game 7 of the Finals, and Game 7 of the Finals has produced special performances.

Here’s a brief history of the 19 Game 7 of the NBA Finals:

2025 NBA Finals - The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder , Game 7 (MVP)

2016: Cleveland Cavaliers defeat Golden State Warriors (MVP: LeBron James)

Cavaliers won 93-89 over the Warriors. James finished Game 7 with 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and 3 blocks. The Cavaliers became the first team to win a finals series down three games to one. Draymond Green (Warriors) had 32 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists in a losing effort.

2013: Miami Heat defeat San Antonio Spurs (MVP: LeBron James)

Heat won 95-88 over the Spurs. James finished Game 7 with 37 points and 12 rebounds. Dwayne Wade also had 23 points and 10 rebounds for the championship-winning Heat.

2010: Los Angeles Lakers defeat Boston Celtics (MVP: Kobe Bryant)

Lakers won 83-79 over the Celtics. Bryant (23 points and 15 rebounds) and Pau Gasol (19 points and 15 rebounds) led the Lakers in the Game 7 victory.

2005: San Antonio Spurs defeat Detroit Pistons (MVP: Tim Duncan)

Spurs won 81-74 over the Pistons. Duncan had 25 points and 11 rebounds in Game 7. Manu Ginobili had 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter to help the Spurs win the championship.

1994: Houston Rockets defeat New York Knicks (MVP: Hakeem Olajuwon)

Rockets won 90-84 over the Knicks. Olajuwon finished Game 7 with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks to help the Rockets win the title. The win marked Houston's first NBA championship.

1988: Los Angeles Lakers defeat Detroit Pistons (MVP: James Worthy)

Lakers won 108-105 over the Pistons. Worthy had a triple-double (36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists) to help the Lakers win the championship at home. Magic Johnson had 19 points and 14 assists for the Lakers.

1984: Boston Celtics defeat Los Angeles Lakers (MVP: Larry Bird)

Celtics won 111-102 over the Lakers. Bird closed out the Lakers with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Cedric Maxwell had led the Celtics in scoring with 24 points, and he also had 8 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals.

1978: Washington Bullets defeat Seattle Supersonics (MVP: Wes Unseld)

Five Bullets players scored at least 13 points led by Bob Dandridge’s 19 points and Finals MVP Wes Unseld’s 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

1974: Boston Celtics defeated Milwaukee Bucks 102-87 (MVP: John Havlicek)

Dave Cowens had 28 points and 14 rebounds, and Finals MVP John Havlicek had 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals.

1970: New York Knicks defeated Los Angeles Lakers 113-99 (MVP: Willis Reed)

An injured Reed hobbled onto the court, Though Reed missed Game 6 and didn’t play the second half of Game 7, he was named Finals MVP. Walt Frazier delivered 36 points and 19 assists in the finale.

1969: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers 108-106 (MVP: Jerry West)

John Havlicek scored 26 points, Sam Jones added 24 and player-coach Bill Russell had six points, six assists and 21 rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain had 18 points and 27 rebounds for the Lakers and, after averaging 37.9 points, 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds, West was named Finals MVP – the only player from a losing team to win the award.

1966: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers 95-93

Bill Russell had 25 points and 32 rebounds, John Havlicek contributed 16 points and 16 assists and Sam Jones scored 22 points for the Celtics. It was the final game as Celtics coach for legend Red Auerbach.

1962: Boston Celtics defeated Los Angeles Lakers 110-107 (OT)

Bill Russell led the Celtics with 35 points and 40 rebounds. Russell set the NBA postseason record for rebounds in a quarter with 19. Elgin Baylor had 41 points and 22 rebounds in a losing effort for the Lakers.

1960: Boston Celtics defeated St. Louis Hawks 122-103

Bill Russell had 22 points and 35 rebounds, Bob Cousy had 19 points and 14 assists and Frank Ramsey had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics.

1957: Boston Celtics defeated St. Louis Hawks 125-123 (2OT)

Tom Heinsohn had 37 points and 23 rebounds, Bill Russell had 19 points and 32 rebounds and Bob Cousy had 12 points and 11 assists. Bob Pettit (39 points, 19 rebounds) missed a shot at the final buzzer that would’ve forced a third OT.

1955: Syracuse Nationals defeated Fort Wayne Pistons 92-91

Seven Nationals players scored at least 11 points led by George King’s 15 points and Billy Kenville’s 15. Red Kerr and Dolph Schayes each had 13 points and 12 rebounds. First time 24-second shot clock used. King’s free throw with 12 seconds left won the game.

1954: Minneapolis Lakers defeat Syracuse Nationals 87-80

Lakers won 87-80 over the Nationals. Jim Pollard led the Lakers with 21 points, and George Mikan had 11 points and 15 rebounds.

1952: Minneapolis Lakers defeat New York Knicks 82-65

Minneapolis Lakers won 82-65 over the Knicks. George Mikan had 22 points and 19 rebounds for the winning Lakers in Game 7.

1951: Rochester Royals defeat New York Knicks 79-75

Rochester Royals won 79-75 over the Knicks. Arnie Risen scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for the winning Royals.

*Finals MVP was first awarded in 1969

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