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The NBA Finals are the zenith of professional basketball and the point of every season where legendary moments tend to be produced.
Over the decades, these championship games have delivered show-stopping drama, pieces of dazzling skill and performances that have created lifelong heroes for fans. To honour those achievements, this article counts down the top 10 most memorable NBA Finals games of all time.
10. 1984 Game 4: Boston Celtics 129, Los Angeles Lakers 125 (OT)
First, we wind the years back to 1984, to recount a sensational skirmish between heated rivals, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
With LA leading the series 2-1, the Lakers led by seven late on in regulation time and seemed poised to take control at The Forum.
The Celtics trailed by five points with less than a minute of regulation time left on the clock. However, with the Lakers nervous, star player Magic Johnson was responsible for a key turnover, while also missing two free throws in the dying embers in dramatic fashion.
Boston capitalised to take the game into overtime and there, a Larry Bird jump shot signified the swing in momentum. The Celtics’ Kevin McHale’s violent clothesline challenge on LA’s Kurt Rambis, which sparked angry scenes in the crowd, was also one of the game’s most explosive incidents. Glorious chaos.
9. 2013 Game 6: Miami Heat 103, San Antonio Spurs 100 (OT)
Heavily backed on the best NBA betting sites UK to claim another title, Miami actually trailed the series 3-2 against San Antonio ahead of Game 6 at South Beach.
The Spurs had a 10-point buffer after three quarters, however, LeBron James went into overdrive for Miami and his accuracy fuelled a 20-7 point run for the Heat.
That put them in the driving seat, though they relinquished their advantage again and with just seconds of regulation time to go, the Spurs led by three.
However, a career-best three-pointer from Ray Allen forced overtime. Miami took command at the restart with the incomparable LeBron James finishing the contest with 32 points.
8. 1957 Game 7: Boston Celtics 125, St. Louis Hawks 123 (2OT)
Next, we step back in time to 1957 and to the Boston Celtics’ first forays into greatness. This was the first year that they competed for an NBA championship, and another first-timer, the St. Louis Hawks stood in the Celtics’ path.
In a series of enthralling contests, Game 7 stood apart. There were an incredible 38 lead changes and 20 ties all told. Legendary Hawks folk hero Bob Pettit hit 39 points, while Boston’s Tom Heinsohn registered 37.
In the climax, Boston held firm to oust St. Louis to start a dynasty that would claim 11 NBA titles over 13 years.
7. 1976 Game 5: Boston Celtics 128, Phoenix Suns 126 (3OT)
In 1976, the Phoenix Suns lost the war, however, they battled valiantly throughout, especially in what was a thrilling all-timer in Game 5.
The series was tied 2-2 and was set up perfectly for another ding-dong tussle at Boston Gardens. This game had everything, from problems with the clock, to a John Havlicek “winner” that actually wasn’t.
Fans flooded the court after his basket, but replays showed that there were 2 seconds left to play and that the horn sounded early. Play resumed and a buzzer-beating Curtis Perry shot levelled things up for the Suns to force a THIRD overtime. Boston eventually got over the line, but only just, following a late Phoenix rally.
6. 2016 Game 7: Cleveland Cavaliers 93, Golden State Warriors 89
This was arguably the peak moment of the Cavaliers’ entire history and one of the most compelling comeback stories in the NBA Finals annals.
Harnessing home court advantage, Golden State held a 3-1 lead in the series at one stage, though the Cavs dragged themselves back into contention to set up this iconic Game 7 display.
The clash had everyone on the edge of their seats, with 20 lead changes and 11 ties. With LeBron James and Kyrie Irving the protagonists, Cleveland outscored the Warriors 51-40 in the second to prevail, becoming the first team in history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit to land the Championship.
5. 1987 Game 4: Los Angeles Lakers 107, Boston Celtics 106
In another entry in one of basketball’s most heated rivalries, Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals between the LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics was predictably gripping.
This was back-and-forth basketball at its very best and easily one of the best NBA Finals games ever. Boston scored eight points unanswered late on, however, the Lakers somehow dragged themselves back into contention and to within one point of parity with seven seconds on the board.
Magic Johnson took centre stage, and mimicked teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s famed hook shot to turn the game on its head and give LA the lead with just two seconds left.
4. 1997 Game 5: Chicago Bulls 90, Utah Jazz 88
Dubbed the “Flu Game”, Bulls icon Michael Jordan was under the weather with food poisoning in the run-up to Game 5 of the NBA Finals, but still managed to dazzle in one of the greatest individual performances ever.
Jordan hit 38 points and nabbed seven rebounds during his 44-minute spell on the court. In between plays, he looked ill, drained and was seen hunched over in visible trouble, but Jordan powered on, collapsing into Scottie Pippen’s arms at the end after his game-winning efforts. The Bulls went on to win the Championship.
3. 1980 Game 6: Los Angeles Lakers 123, Philadelphia 76ers 107
The big question in the lead-up to this game was whether the LA Lakers could cope without their injured star player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. With him nursing an ankle complaint, LA’s task on the road at the 76ers looked tough in Game 6.
However, a certain rookie named Magic Johnson was ready to fill the void. The 20-year-old took the game by the horns and chipped in with 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists for the Lakers. Philly just couldn’t live with his skill and athleticism.
With Johnson central, the Lakers clinched the title, earning their first NBA championship since 1972, in what was one of Magic’s first major career milestones.
2. 1998 Game 6: Chicago Bulls 87, Utah Jazz 86
In the build-up to Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, all of the chatter was about dynasties ending and swan songs, as a great, but ageing Chicago Bulls team creaked towards its end.
Despite already winning five titles, Chicago were actually underdogs ahead of their series against Utah, however, the old guard rolled back the years to triumph against the odds.
In Game 6, veteran Michael Jordan put up 45 points, with his last basket turning the game upside down. Utah were up 86-85 at the death, though Jordan careered down the court and netted a jumper from near the free-throw line to add polish to his legacy.
1. 1970 Game 7: New York Knicks 113, Los Angeles Lakers 99
At the top of our rundown of best NBA Finals games is the Game 7 encounter between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers in 1970, a contest dominated by two figures, Willis Reed and Walt Frazier.
What made this one so special was the buzz around Reed in particular. He had been expected to miss the game through injury, but he galloped onto the court for the pregame warmups to the shock of the home crowd, who were on their feet, applauding with delirious surprise.
The atmosphere was cranked up even further when Reed scored the game’s first four points, though his expert defending against the Lakers’ Walt Chamberlain was just as crucial.
Reed’s teammate Frazier meanwhile, scored 36 points and claimed 19 rebounds, helping to sew up the Knicks first-ever NBA Finals success.
