Greatest NBA Game 7s of All Time: The Most Dramatic Moments
Game 7. Two words that send chills down every basketball fan's spine. Winner takes all. Loser goes home. Here are the greatest Game 7s in NBA history.
Cavaliers vs Warriors, 2016 NBA Finals
The greatest Game 7 ever played. The Warriors had won 73 games in the regular season and led the series 3-1. Nobody comes back from 3-1 in the Finals. Then LeBron James happened. His chase-down block on Andre Iguodala with under two minutes left is the most iconic defensive play in NBA history. Kyrie Irving hit the go-ahead three with 53 seconds left. Cleveland won 93-89, ending a 52-year championship drought.
Raptors vs 76ers, 2019 Conference Semifinals
Kawhi Leonard's buzzer-beater is the only Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA history. His shot bounced on the rim four times before dropping in. The entire arena held its breath for what felt like an eternity. The Raptors went on to win the championship, and that shot became the defining moment of their franchise history.
Celtics vs Lakers, 2010 NBA Finals
The ultimate rivalry. Kobe vs the Celtics in Game 7 of the Finals. Kobe struggled shooting (6-24 from the field) but grabbed 15 rebounds and made the plays that mattered in the fourth quarter. Ron Artest hit a crucial three-pointer, and the Lakers won 83-79 in a defensive slugfest. It was Kobe's fifth and final championship.
Spurs vs Mavericks, 2006 Conference Semifinals
Dirk Nowitzki missed a potential game-tying free throw with 21 seconds left, and the Spurs held on to win. It was a heartbreaking loss for Dallas but a reminder of how thin the margin is in Game 7s. One free throw can change everything.
Why Game 7s are special
Game 7s produce the highest TV ratings, the loudest arenas, and the most memorable moments in basketball. The pressure is unlike anything else in sports. Every possession matters. Every mistake is magnified. The best players rise to the occasion, and the moments they create live forever.