Most points in NBA Finals game 7

The NBA playoffs are always the time when NBA superstars have the most pressure to perform, and their performances will dictate how the season ends for their teams. Superstars often show up and put forth fantastic performances to spearhead their teams to victory. We crown an NBA champion every year, and getting through each playoff series is the most essential part of being in the postseason.

The postseason is where the best NBA players are judged because performing on the brightest stage usurps what is done in the regular season. In almost all situations, the best player on a playoff team must score a ton of points to lead his team to victory. That will not change, as top stars look to score the ball as much as possible to finish teams off in every 7-game series. The longer a series goes, the less likely a star player has a chance to win. Oftentimes, a critical Game 7 is required. The best players have the most pressure on them to score the ball at an elite level in Game 7 because it is essentially do or die.

Here are the 10 players with the most points scored in Game 7 playoff history, where we might get a very interesting perspective on the careers of some of the greatest players ever. These were all iconic performances that have stood the test of time, and to no one’s surprise, each one is or will be in the Hall of Fame.

25. Wilt Chamberlain - 39 Points

San Francisco Warriors vs. St. Louis Hawks (April 16, 1964)

Game Stats: 48 Mins, 19-29 FG, 1-6 FT

Wilt Chamberlain’s name will always appear on most lists when it comes to offensive performances because he is one of the most unstoppable players of all time. Wilt was the most athletically gifted player of his time, which is why he had a host of unbreakable scoring records, including scoring 100 points in a single game. Chamberlain posted 39 points and grabbed 30 rebounds in Game 7, taking his series averages to 38.6 PPG and 23.4 RPG, which are incredible numbers.

24. Phil Chenier - 39 Points

Washington Bullets vs. Buffalo Braves (April 25, 1975)

Game Stats: 45 Mins, 13-18 FG, 13-15 FT

A 3-time All-Star shooting guard who made one All-NBA Team over his career and generally falls under the radar many years later, Phil Chenier was a very capable scorer both inside and outside the paint. Chenier posted 39 points in a Game 7 victory against the Buffalo Braves, performing as the leading man in a 115-96 blowout. Chenier averaged 24.4 PPG over the series, which ranked 3rd among all players behind Bob McAdoo (37.4 PPG) and Elvin Hayes (28.4 PPG).

23. Elvin Hayes - 39 Points

Washington Bullets vs. Atlanta Hawks (April 29, 1979)

Game Stats: 48 Mins, 17-34 FG, 5-10 FT

The Washington Bullets made the NBA Finals in 1979, but not before it took an all-time great performance by Elvin Hayes in Game 7 of the second round of the playoffs. The Bullets defeated the Atlanta Hawks in Game 7 with a score of 100-94, and Hayes posted 39 points on 50% shooting from the field. The big man was a force inside the post, consistently receiving the ball and trying to dominate. Hayes also led all players in rebounds with 15 and essentially took over the game and the series. So far, Hayes’ performance was one of the most impressive ever by any big man.

22. Larry Bird - 39 Points

Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks (May 13, 1984)

Game Stats: 42 Mins, 13-24 FG, 1-2 3PM, 12-12 FT

Larry Bird had an iconic season in 1984, winning an NBA championship and Finals MVP award with the Boston Celtics along with the regular-season MVP award. Bird managed to drop 39 points in Game 7 against the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs. The superstar small forward shot over 50% from the field, 100% from the line and also added in 12 rebounds and 10 assists as well. No surprise, Larry Legend is a member of this esteemed list because he was an all-time great player.

21. Kevin Durant - 39 Points

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies (May 15, 2011)

Game Stats: 39 Mins, 13-25 FG, 4-9 3PM, 9-9 FT

Kevin Durant will appear on this list more than once, but he did manage to score 39 points in 39 minutes against the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2011 playoffs. Durant led all players in Game 7 in the second-round matchup, shooting over 50% from the field and 100% from the foul line. KD’s scoring eventually was enough to guide the Thunder to a convincing 15-point victory, and the superstar forward also added 9 rebounds and 3 blocks in a very impressive performance by a 22-year-old All-Star.

20. Jamal Murray - 40 Points

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers (September 15, 2020)

Game Stats: 45 Mins, 15-26 FG, 6-13 3PM, 4-4 FT

Jamal Murray’s Game 7 performance resulted in one of the biggest choke jobs in NBA history when the Clippers could not close the deal despite being up 3-1. The point guard was simply sensational throughout the playoffs, but his performance in Game 7 stood out when he posted 40 points in a grueling 45-minute show. In the end, Murray led the Nuggets past the Clippers before coming up against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.

19. Giannis Antetokounmpo - 40 Points

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Brooklyn Nets (June 19, 2021)

Game Stats: 50 Mins, 15-24 FG, 2-6 3PM, 8-14 FT

Giannis Antetokounmpo is still thanking the sky for the fact that Kevin Durant’s last-second shot resulted in a two-pointer instead of a three-pointer. Had Durant’s toe been behind the line, Giannis would not have an NBA championship right now. But The Greek Freak absolutely played his part in Game 7 against the Brooklyn Nets, posting 40 points on over 50% shooting and continuing his assault on Brooklyn’s interior before finally defeating the opponent. Giannis and the Bucks would go on to win the NBA championship at the end of the playoffs.

18. Elgin Baylor - 41 Points

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics (April 18, 1962)

Game Stats: 51 Mins, 13-40 FG, 15-21 FT

Elgin Baylor holds the second-highest record for most points scored in Game 7 history in the NBA Finals. The superstar forward was one of the best offensive players of all time, averaging 38.3 PPG in the 1962 NBA season and eventually making it to the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. He dropped 41 points in 51 minutes, including taking 40 shots and 21 free throws. Had he been more efficient, Baylor might have done enough to hold an unbreakable Finals record and possibly would have won the championship instead of losing to the Celtics.

17. Tim Duncan - 41 Points

San Antonio Spurs vs. Dallas Mavericks (May 22, 2006)

Game Stats: 50 Mins, 12-24 FG, 0-1 3PM, 17-23 FT

The 2006 season was very bittersweet for the Dallas Mavericks. For one, they had a superstar in Dirk Nowitzki and an excellent roster around him. They also managed to survive an all-time great performance by Tim Duncan, a power forward who scored 41 points on 50% shooting from the field and 74% from the line. The Big Fundamental was unstoppable on the block and constantly drew fouls which gave him his incredible numbers at the end of the game. But with this victory, the Mavericks made it to the Finals but somehow lost despite being up 2-0 against the Miami Heat.

16. Paul Pierce - 41 Points

Boston Celtics vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (May 18, 2008)

Game Stats: 44 Mins, 13-23 FG, 4-6 3PM, 11-12 FT

Paul Pierce’s Game 7 performance in 2008 was probably one of the most critical parts of his career because he did enough to overcome LeBron James’ 45-point performance to lead the Boston Celtics to victory. As a result of this win, Pierce and the Celtics would proceed to the next round and eventually defeat the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals. Known as “The Truth”, Pierce always seemed to save the best performances in the biggest moments for Boston. One of those came against the Cavaliers, and he ultimately built on that to capture the Finals MVP award against the Lakers in the Finals.

15. Kawhi Leonard - 41 Points

Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers (May 12, 2019)

Game Stats: 43 Mins, 16-39 FG, 2-9 3PM, 7-8 FT

Kawhi Leonard’s Game 7 performance against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 playoffs was one of the best of all time, not only because he dropped 41 points in a critical do-or-die game. But because he nailed the game-winning buzzer beater, which shattered 76ers’ fans’ hearts and also proved to be the biggest shot of the playoffs. Leonard would go on to win the 2019 NBA championship at the expense of the Golden State Warriors in the Finals, so his iconic shot truly solidified The Claw’s legacy as an all-time great.

14. Jerry West - 42 Points

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics (May 5, 1969)

Game Stats: 48 Mins, 14-29 FG, 14-18 FT

Jerry West, the NBA’s logo, has an incredible resume of top-scoring performances over his career. The superstar guard is the only player in NBA history to win a Finals MVP award despite being part of a losing performance, for example. But West also managed to score 42 points in 48 minutes against the Boston Celtics during that series in Game 7 but came up short in a 108-106 loss. The Celtics managed to score the last bucket of the game and earned the championship, but because of his incredible efforts, West won the Finals MVP award as a testament to his greatness. Scoring 42 points in Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals is also the record for any Game 7 in the Finals.

13. George Gervin - 42 Points

San Antonio Spurs vs. Washington Bullets (May 18, 1979)

Game Stats: 43 Mins, 16-31 FG, 10-13 FT

George “The Iceman” Gervin was an exceptional scorer, winning 4 scoring titles in his career. As a member of the Spurs, Gervin brought his unstoppable mid-range game and slicing ability to the court against the Washington Bullets during the Eastern Conference Finals. Gervin managed to score 42 points in 43 minutes, but it still was not enough to overcome Elvin Hayes and the Bullets. Nonetheless, Gervin did all his damage without the NBA’s presence of a three-point shot and had an all-time great scoring performance in Game 7.

12. Calvin Murphy - 42 Points

Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs (April 17, 1981)

Game Stats: 42 Mins, 19-28 FG, 0-1 3PM, 4-4 FT

Calvin Murphy is one of the most iconic players in Houston Rockets history because the point guard had exceptional offensive skills through scoring inside and shooting the ball. Despite standing only 5’9”, Murphy was simply a load to handle for any defender. In the second round of the playoffs, Murphy did enough to defeat the San Antonio Spurs before eventually proceeding to the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. As expected, Murphy did not have enough to win the championship against Larry Bird and the Celtics. But Murphy’s scoring performance in Game 7 against the Spurs ranks among the best offensive moments in NBA history.

11. Michael Jordan - 42 Points

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks (May 17, 1992)

Game Stats: 42 Mins, 15-29 FG, 0-0 3PM, 12-13 FT

There is no surprise to see the greatest player of all time appear on this list. Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the best scorer to have ever played the game, as he won 10 scoring titles and also has the single highest playoff scoring performance with 63 points scored against the Boston Celtics. But in Game 7 history, Jordan ranks 11th all-time with 42 points scored against the New York Knicks in 1992. With this victory, Jordan and the Bulls would proceed to the Eastern Conference Finals and defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers before winning it all.

10. Oscar Robertson - 43 Points

Cincinnati Royals vs. Boston Celtics (April 10, 1963)

Game Stats: 48 Mins, 11-24 FG, 0-0 3PM, 21-22 FT

Oscar Robertson is one of the greatest stat-sheet stuffers in NBA history, and he managed an incredible 43-point performance against the Boston Celtics during the 1963 playoffs. The “Big O” managed 43 points on an incredible 21-22 from the stripe, but it still wasn’t enough to guide the Royals past the Celtics in Game 7. Instead, Boston won the game thanks to 47 points from Sam Jones, and the Celtics would end up winning the championship at the end of the year.

9. Charles Barkley - 44 Points

Phoenix Suns vs. Seattle SuperSonics (June 5, 1993)

Game Stats: 46 Mins, 12-20 FG, 1-1 3PM, 19-22 FT

Charles Barkley is one of the most dominant power forwards of all time, and his record with the Phoenix Suns was iconic because he won the MVP in 1993 and also guided the team to the NBA Finals. But it took a monster Game 7 performance in the Eastern Conference Finals before Barkley could reach the Finals in a highly anticipated showdown with Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Barkley posted 44 points and grabbed a game-high 24 rebounds in the Game 7 win, an extremely impressive performance.

8. Allen Iverson - 44 Points

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks (June 3, 2001)

Game Stats: 44 Mins, 17-33 FG, 4-6 3PM, 6-7 FT

Allen Iverson’s run during the 2001 NBA season was truly iconic. The miniature guard won the regular-season MVP award and also guided the Philadelphia 76ers past the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals by dropping 44 points and adding 7 assists and 6 rebounds. The Answer was unstoppable on the court, effectively taking almost every shot and eventually forcing a 108-91 victory in favor of his team. This victory led the 76ers to the NBA Finals and even a Game 1 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers before losing the next four games.

7. LeBron James - 45 Points

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics (May 18, 2008)

Game Stats: 47 Mins, 14-29 FG, 3-11 3PM, 14-19 FT

LeBron James’ Game 7 performance in the 2008 season against the Boston Celtics has to be one of the brightest moments of The King’s career. The King scored an incredible 45 points on just under 50% shooting, but he still could not guide the Cavaliers past the Celtics thanks to a 41-point performance by Paul Pierce and an impactful presence by Kevin Garnett. Unfortunately for James, that would become a common theme for him until he would join the Miami Heat in 2011.

6. LeBron James - 45 Points

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers (April 29, 2018)

Game Stats: 43 Mins, 16-25 FG, 2-3 3PM, 11-15 FT

LeBron James’ run during the second stint of the Cleveland Cavaliers run was truly incredible. He did end up coming back from 1-3 in the Finals in 2016, but he had one of the best performances ever during the 2018 playoffs. Even when surrounded by a host of decent but unspectacular teammates, James had to score 45 points in Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the playoffs in order to proceed. James ended up making the NBA Finals at the end of the year, although he was swept in the Finals.

5. Kevin Johnson - 46 Points

Phoenix Suns vs. Houston Rockets (May 20, 1995)

Game Stats: 42 Mins,12-26 FG, 1-2 3PM, 21-22 FT

Kevin Johnson, a 6’1” point guard with elite offensive ability, had arguably the best performance of his career when he posted 46 points and added 10 assists in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. But it was not enough to guide the Suns over the Houston Rockets in Game 7, a team that went on to win the championship at the end of the year thanks to the brilliance of Hakeem Olajuwon. But Johnson’s performance in Game 7 is one of the best ever by a point guard in the playoffs.

4. Luka Doncic - 46 Points

Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Clippers (June 6, 2021)

Game Stats: 45 Mins, 17-30 FG, 5-11 3PM, 7-11 FT

Luka Doncic is surprisingly one of the most dominant players of all time, even if he is still 23 years old. The Slovenian has an innate ability to score the ball around the rim and from three while also having the size to absorb contact and draw fouls. The Dallas Mavericks star managed to score 46 points in a critical Game 7 against the Los Angeles Clippers, but it was not enough. The Clippers would go on to the Western Conference Finals, and Luka managed to have the 4th highest scoring performance of all time in a Game 7.

3. Sam Jones - 47 Points

Boston Celtics vs. Cincinnati Royals (April 10, 1963)

Game Stats: 41 Mins, 18-27 FG, 0-0 3PM, 11-12 FT

In a critical Game 7 showdown in the Eastern Divison Finals, Sam Jones led the Boston Celtics with a spectacular 47-point performance against the Cincinnati Royals, who were led by another all-time great performance by Oscar Robertson (43 points). Jones played 41 minutes, went 11-12 from the stripe, and only missed 9 shots throughout the game. As expected, the Boston Celtics would go on to win the championship at the end of the year.

2. Dominique Wilkins - 47 Points

Atlanta Hawks vs. Boston Celtics (May 22, 1988)

Game Stats: 43 Mins, 19-33 FG, 1-2 3PM, 8-9 FT

In an all-time great showdown, Dominique Wilkins and the Atlanta Hawks went to battle against Larry Bird and the Boston Celtics. In a winner takes all contest, Wilkins posted 47 points in 43 minutes while going 19-33 from the floor and 8-9 from the free-throw line. But it was the Celtics who were left standing at the end thanks to Larry Bird, who finished with 34 points on 15-for-24 from the field with a 20-point fourth quarter. This was a classic battle between two Hall of Famers, and this performance by Wilkins ranks 2nd all-time behind one other spectacular performance.

1. Kevin Durant - 48 Points

Brooklyn Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks (June 19, 2021)

Game Stats: 53 Mins, 17-36 FG, 4-11 3PM, 10-11 FT

Kevin Durant’s Game 7 virtuoso performance in 2021 happened to be the greatest scoring performance in any Game 7 in playoff history. Carrying a team with a hobbled James Harden and an absent Kyrie Irving, Durant had to post 48 points while literally being the only player to compete against Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Of course, Durant’s game-tying shot at the end of regulation was one of the greatest plays in playoff history, although his toe was on the line, which meant the small forward had to endure an overtime period that he could not overcome due to complete exhaustion. Nonetheless, this has to be the greatest performance in Kevin Durant’s career in terms of raw impact and offensive ability in big moments. 

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