NBA Finals Game 7 history: Thunder-Pacers in 20th winner-take-all matchup
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:
Game 7 NBA Finals history
James had a game-saving block, Kyrie Irving made a game-deciding 3-pointer. James finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and Irving scored 26 points. James won his third Finals MVP.
James had 37 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the series finale that was made possible by Ray Allen's overtime-producing 3-pointer in Game 6.
Kobe Bryant's performance wasn't efficient (6-for-24 from the field) but it was effective – 23 points (11-for-15 on free throws) plus 15 rebounds. It was Bryant's second Finals MVP and his fifth and final title.
In another low-scoring Game 7, Finals MVP Tim Duncan had 25 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
In the first of consecutive titles for the Rockets, Hakeem Olajuwon delivered 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. He earned Finals MVP, averaging 26.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 blocks, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals.
In a chaotic finish, Michael Cooper scored the final basket on an assist from Magic Johnson as fans and photographers began walking onto the court before the clock expired. Johnson had 19 points and 14 assists, and Finals MVP James Worthy had a monster triple-double: 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists.
Finals MVP Larry Bird had 20 points and 12 rebounds and was one of three Celtics who scored at least 20 points (Cedric Maxwell 20 points, Dennis Johnson 22 points).
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.
Dave Cowens had 28 points and 14 rebounds, and Finals MVP John Havlicek had 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals.
Known as the Willis Reed game because an injured Reed hobbled onto the court, inspiring his teammates and Knicks fans. 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.
Headed into Game 7, Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke had a victory celebration plan, which infuriated Lakers star 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.
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.
Bill Russell collected 30 points and 40 rebounds. Yes, 40 rebounds, which canceled out Elgin Baylor's 41 points and 22 rebounds for the Lakers. Los Angeles' Frank Selvy missed a jump shot at the end of the fourth quarter that would've won the game for the Lakers had the shot went through the hoop.
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.
This started the Celtics' unprecedented dynasty. 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. It is the only Finals game to go two overtimes, and Bob Pettit (39 points, 19 rebounds) missed a shot at the final buzzer that would've forced a third OT.
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. This was the first season of the 24-second shot clock. King's free throw with 12 seconds left won the game.
George Mikan had 11 points and 15 rebounds and Clyde Lovellette had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers.
George Mikan led the Lakers with 22 points and 19 rebounds.
Arnie Risen contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Royals. Some historic players were involved in this Finals: Dick McGuire, brother of Al; Ernie VanDeWeghe, father of Kiki; Red Holzman, the famous Knicks coach who played for the Royals; Nat Clifton, one of the NBA first Black players; and Harry Gallatin, who was one of David Stern's favorite players when the one-time NBA commissioner was a kid.
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