Greatest Game 7 Players in NBA History

These are the NBA players who step up consistently when Game 7 stakes are highest.

Greatest Game 7 Players in NBA History

Game 7 are two of the best words in all of sports. Unless you’re the emotional wreck who has to compete in the ultimate pressure test.

Well, isn’t that right, Dennis Johnson, wherever you are? In Game 7 of the 1978 NBA finals, Johnson played like a deer in headlights. The 23-year-old Seattle SuperSonics guard bricked every one of his 14 field-goal tries, an epically bad performance that remains a record today. Afterward, D.J. confessed to the c-word: choke. Only months later, he was still chosen as the 1979 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. No seventh game necessary.

But who are the guys you would want on your side with a playoff series on the line? We have them right here.

Note: We want consistency over a period of time, so we set the bar at five career Game 7s. That’s why you won’t see the names of Michael Jordan, Steve Nash and James Worthy, who otherwise would have made the cut.

30. Patrick Ewing

Career: 13 seasons (1967-1979)

Teams: New York Knicks (1985-2000), Seattle SuperSonics (2000-01), Orlando Magic (2001-02)

Game 7 record: 3-4

Game 7 statistics: 23.8/14.1/3.4

Bottom Line: Patrick Ewing

New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing pumps up fans crowded into New York's Madison Square Garden

Big Pat was widely reputed to come up small in pressure moments, but at least in Game 7s, that’s a bad rap for the most part.

Unfortunately, the one that he would like to have back came in the 1994 NBA Finals, when Hakeem Olajuwon owned him in a six-point loss.

29. George Gervin

San Antonio Spurs' George Gervin tries to dribble around guard

Career: 14 seasons (1972-1986)

Teams: ABA Virginia Squires (1972-74), ABA San Antonio Spurs (1974-76), San Antonio Spurs (1976-1985), Chicago Bulls (1985-86)

Game 7 record: 1-4

Game 7 statistics: 27.4/6.0/3.2

Bottom Line: George Gervin

San Antonio Spurs' George Gervin beats Chicago Bulls' Mark Olberding

Despite that unsightly won-loss record, The Iceman made the cut for this reason: He consistently rose to a greater level with lesser teams. It also was difficult to ignore that only a select few have averaged more points in seventh games.

He scored 42 and 31 points in two losses and drained 50 percent of his field goal tries overall.

28. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade dunks in front of Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey

Career: 16 seasons (2005-present)

Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves (2005-2011), Detroit Pistons (2011-17), Houston Rockets (2017-19), Oklahoma City Thunder (2019-20), Phoenix Suns (2020-present)

Game 7 record: 5-3

Game 7 statistics: 19.8/5.4/3.5

Bottom Line: Dwyane Wade

Miami Heat shooting guard Dwyane Wade celebrates basket during second half of Game 7

This track record pretty much reflects one of the all-time Robins in pro basketball history. Which is to say, highly dependable if not quite dominant.

Flash scored between 20 and 31 points in five of the eight games. He also had at least four turnovers in all except one of them.

27. George McGinnis

George McGinnis goes by Indiana Pacer's Don Buse for one-handed shot

Career: 11 seasons (1971-82)

Teams: ABA Indiana Pacers (1971-75), Philadelphia 76ers (1975-1978), Denver Nuggets (1978-80), Indiana Pacers (1980-82)

Game 7 record: 6-1

Game 7 statistics: 18.7/12.3/3.0

Bottom Line: George McGinnis

Philadelphia's George McGinnis drives around Trail Blazers' Maurice Lucas

Two clutch road performances put Big Mac on the menu.

The Pacers wingman went for 27/7/1 versus the Kentucky Colonels in the 1973 ABA Finals and 40/23/8 against the Denver Nuggets in the 1975 Western Division finals.

26. Wes Unseld

Washington Bullets' Wes Unseld reaches to block shot by Seattle Supersonics' Paul Silas

Career: 13 seasons (1968-81)

Teams: Baltimore-Washington Bullets (1968-81)

Game 7 record: 6-3

Game 7 statistics: 7.6/12.9/4.0

Bottom Line: Wes Unseld

Washington Bullets Wes Unseld and Houston Rockets Billy Paultz coverage on rebound

The value of Big Wes wasn’t measured in points. Rather, it was his consistency as a beastly rebounder, tireless defensive anchor and adept passer.

He was the best player on the court when Le Bullet dethroned the New York Knicks in the 1971 Eastern Conference finals.

25. Kobe Bryant

The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant swoops under basket and past San Antonio Spurs defender Mark Bryant to score

Career: 13 seasons (1967-1979)

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1998—2007)

Game 7 record: 5-1

Game 7 statistics: 22.2/8.0/5.0

Bottom Line: Kobe Bryant

Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant smiles during second half

Mamba did everything in his wondrous career except leave an indelible mark on a seventh game. Yet while he didn’t shoot particularly well (39 percent), largely because of his trademark stubbornness and some truly awful shot selection, the other parts of his game were solid as ever.

Let the record show that, even at less than his ballistic best, the guy consistently found ways to get it done.

24. Dan Issel

Denver Nuggets center Dan Issel lets out yelp as he out positions Cleveland Cavalier center Paul Mokeski

Career: 15 seasons (1970-1985)

Teams: ABA Kentucky Colonels (1970-75), ABA Denver Nuggets (1975-76), Denver Nuggets (1976-1985)

Game 7 record: 3-2

Game 7 statistics: 24.4/12.2/3.0

Bottom Line: Dan Issel

It’s one thing to have a career performance in a Game 7, quite another to do it with a league championship on the line.

In the final game of the 1975 ABA Finals, The Horse went off for 41 points and a dozen rebounds against the Utah Stars, a heroic performance that went for naught in a 10-point loss.

23. Elvin Hayes

Career: 16 seasons (1968-1984)

Teams: San Diego/Houston Rockets (1968-72, 1981-84), Baltimore-Capital-Washington Bullets (1972-81)

Game 7 record: 4-2

Game 7 statistics: 26.6/11.8/2.7

Bottom Line: Elvin Hayes

Washington Bullets player Elvin Hayes holds NBA Championship trophy

From the moment that Lew Alcindor turned The Big E into The Lowercase E in the 1968 Final Four semis, his clutch ability came into question. His Game 7 record would seem to answer it, but we’re still not convinced.

With the 1978 NBA title on the line, it was kid reserve Mitch Kupchak who provided the impetus after The Big Enigma fouled out in 30 minutes.

22. Roger Brown

Career: 8 seasons (1967-75)

Teams: ABA Indiana Pacers (1967-73, 75), ABA Memphis Sounds (1974), ABA Utah Stars (1974-75)

Game 7 record: 6-2

Game 7 statistics: 19.1/6.0/3.3

Bottom Line: Roger Brown

In terms of competitiveness and consistency, this late starter was a cut above most. And the bigger the game, the better The Rajah played most times.

Take the final game of the 1972 Western Conference finals versus the Utah Stars on the road, for example. He scored a game-high 27 points on 10-of-15 in the field, grabbed seven rebounds and played the entire four-point victory en route to the ABA title.

21. Charles Barkley

Career: 16 seasons (1984-present)

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (1984-92), Phoenix Suns (1992-96), Houston Rockets (1996-2000)

Game 7 record: 2-3

Game 7 statistics: 24.8/17.6/2.6

Bottom Line: Charles Barkley

Had the 22-year-old not deferred to veteran teammate Julius Erving in a one-point loss against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1986 Eastern Conference semis, would his Sixers have saved their season? Is it possible that it would have given the eventual champions Boston Celtics all they could handle in the conference finals, perhaps even won it all?

We bet Barkley has asked himself those questions more than once himself.

20. Earl Monroe

Earl Monroe dribbles around Gail Goodrich

Career: 13 seasons (1967-1979)

Teams: Baltimore Bullets (1967-71), New York Knicks (1971-79)

Game 7 record: 4-1

Game 7 statistics: 22.0/3.4/4.0

Bottom Line: Earl Monroe

New York Knicks Earl Monroe lays up a shot

The only time that The Pearl failed to score at least 20 points came against the Boston Celtics in the 1973 Eastern Conference Finals. No matter. Back-up Dean Meminger came to the rescue.

In the 1970 Eastern Division semis, the Bullets spin master scored a career-high 32 in a Game 7 loss versus the Knicks before he switched sides only months later.

19. Chauncey Billups

Minnesota Timberwolves' Chauncey Billups goes up against Philadelphia 76ers' Eric Snow

Career: 16 seasons (2005-present)

Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves (2005-2011), Detroit Pistons (2011-17), Houston Rockets (2017-19),

Game 7 record: 4-1

Game 7 statistics: 20.4/3.8/6.2

Bottom Line: Chauncey Billups

Detroit Pistons' Chauncey Billups celebrates

Even when Mr. Big Shot misfired, he could leave his fingerprints on the game.

Although limited to 13 points and eight assists in his only loss (an 81-74 meat-grinder against San Antonio in the 2005 NBA Finals), he threw a blanket over counterpart Tony Parker and the Spurs offense.

18. Rick Barry

San Francisco Warriors Rick Barry tries hook shot

Career: 14 seasons (1965-1980)

Teams: San Francisco/Golden State Warriors (1965-67, 1972-79), ABA Oakland Oaks (1967-68), ABA Washington Capitols (1969-70), ABA New York Nets (1971-72), Houston Rockets (1978-80)

Game 7 record: 2-3

Game 7 statistics: 27.2/*6.3/*3.3

Bottom Line: Rick Barry

New York Nets superstar Rick Barry sinks one

So we came across a 1970 playoff game when this points machine lit up the Denver Rockets for 52 big ones on the road. How many other players served up a 50 Burger in a seventh game, we wondered? After further review, the answer was … none.

That’s right — he’s the only player to score 50 or more in a Game 7 in pro basketball history. The game ended with the Caps’ top gun on the floor, the victim of a blindside punch by Rockets enforcer Lonnie Wright. Ouch!

17. Julius Erving

Career: 16 seasons (1971-87)

Teams: ABA Virginia Squires (1971-73), ABA New York Nets (1973-76), Philadelphia 76ers (1976-87)

Game 7 record: 4-4

Game 7 statistics: 26.0/9.5/*4.6

Bottom Line: Julius Erving

Philadelphia '76ers Julius Erving sweeps rebound

The Doctor had his moments, all right. At the same time, he suffered 1-, 1- and 3-point losses in which his play ranged from good to average to bad. (Remember the last-second 15-footer that he doinked against the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1986 Eastern Conference semis? Us, too.)

Doc was one of the athletic marvels of all time, no doubt, but sometimes, we question whether he elevated his team as much as himself.

16. Kawhi Leonard

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard shoots

Career: 10 seasons (2011-present)

Teams: San Antonio Spurs (2011-18), Toronto Raptors (2018-19), Los Angeles Clippers (2019-present)

Game 7 record: 3-3

Game 7 statistics: 21.7/9.3/3.3

Bottom Line: Kawhi Leonard

Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard celebrates

His Game 7 resume is a bit meh except for one supersized exception — the 41-point outburst in a two-point victory against the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference semis.

Has there ever been a more dramatic buzzer-beater than his 15-footer that danced on the rim for an eternity? Without it, the Raptors still might not have a league championship banner.

15. Elgin Baylor

Los Angeles Lakers' Elgin Baylor maneuvers his way through New York Knicks' Bill Bradley

Career: 14 seasons (1958-71)

Teams: Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers (1958-71)

Game 7 record: 3-6

Game 7 statistics: 29.2/13.4/4.9

Bottom Line: Elgin Baylor

The Boston Celtics' Bailey Howell whirls with reverse lay up

When The Rabbit canned at least half of his field goal attempts, the Lakers never lost. And when he didn’t, they won only once. The guy was an underrated passer — he had seven assists in at least four Game 7s.

So, if Elg had ditched some of those outside shots and distributed more, would the Lakers have reversed at least one of their three heartbreakers against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals? Huh, huh, huh?

14. Tommy Heinsohn

Tommy Heinsohn drives against Bob Pettit

Career: 9 seasons (1956-65)

Teams: Boston Celtics (1956-65)

Game 7 record: 7-0

Game 7 statistics: 20.7/9.9/2.1

Bottom Line: Tommy Heinsohn

Before Tommy the smart-aleck head coach, there was Tommy Gun the cocksure kid with an itchy trigger finger.

The forward served notice in the 1957 NBA Finals, when he put up 37 points in 23 rebounds against the St. Louis Hawks in a double-overtime victory that launched the Celtics dynasty. As a 22-year-old rookie, no less.

13. Bob Cousy

Boston Celtics Bob Cousy takes a rebound off

Career: 13 seasons (1967-1979)

Teams: Boston Celtics (1998—2007)

Game 7 record: 6-0

Game 7 statistics: 17.7/11.3/5.3

Bottom Line: Bob Cousy

Celtics' Bob Cousy presented with sterling silver tea service

Never heard of Cooz, kids? Think: Steve Nash without a jump shot. The Celtics backcourt leader averaged 13.0 points, 11.3 assists and 5.3 rebounds with the league title on the line.

Overall, he produced two games of 20 points and 10 rebounds and came within one point of a third. There you go...

12. Tim Duncan

Portland Trail Blazers' Al-Farouq Aminu blocked by San Antonio Spurs' Tim Duncan

Career: 19 seasons (1997-2016)

Teams: San Antonio Spurs (1997-2016)

Game 7 record: 3-3

Game 7 statistics: 24.7/11.8/2.7

Bottom Line: Tim Duncan

San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Tony Parker celebrate

Don’t let that .500 record fool ya. The guy averaged 30.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in the three losses.

Included was a virtuoso 41-point, 15-rebound, six-assist, three-blocked shot performance in overtime versus the Dallas Mavericks in the 2006 Western Conference semis.

11. Bob Pettit

Bob Pettit lets the ball roll off his fingers for two pointer

Career: 11 seasons (1954-65)

Teams: Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks (1954-65)

Game 7 record: 2-4

Game 7 statistics: 29.2/16.2/*3.5

Bottom Line: Bob Pettit

At 24,Big Blue lit up Bill Russell and the mighty Boston Celtics for 39 points and 19 rebounds in an overtime loss. Oh, and his two free throws sent the game into the extra period.

Overall, he scored 30-plus points three times and never had a bad game. Now you know why he’s on the short list of most underappreciated superstars in hoops history.

10. Wilt Chamberlain

Career: 14 seasons (1959-73)

Teams: Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors (1959-65), Philadelphia 76ers (1965-68), Los Angeles Lakers (1968-73)

Game 7 record: 4-5

Game 7 statistics: 24.4/27.0/4.7

Bottom Line: Wilt Chamberlain

Philadelphia 76ers Wilt Chamberlain gets champagne poured on him

It’s crazy how a few clanged free throws can sabotage a legacy. The Big Dipper and his team lost no fewer than three games by two points or less and a fourth by four points. If the big guy hadn’t missed seven, nine and nine freebies in three of the setbacks — all against the eventual champion Boston Celtics — he no doubt would have more than a pair of league titles to his credit.

Of course, if he had Bob Cousy or Tommy Heinsohn or Sam Jones on his side, he could have drop-kicked the ball, and it wouldn’t have mattered.

9. Sam Jones

Career: 13 seasons (1956-69)

Teams: Boston Celtics (1956-69)

Game 7 record: 9-0

Game 7 statistics: 27.1/5.6/1.9

Bottom Line: Sam Jones

Tommy Heinsohn had most of the notepads and microphones. Bob Cousy got most of the love. And Bill Russell received most of the credit. But who was the go-to guy that quietly saved their butts, big shot after big shot, big game after big game? This one.

If his 47-point eruption against Oscar Robertson and the Cincinnati Royals in the 1963 Eastern Division finals had been played today, it would be an Instant Classic. Frankly, we’re kinda surprised that Celtics fanboy Bill Simmons hasn’t written at least five books about it.

8. Dirk Nowitzki

Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzk slam dunks ball

Career: 21 seasons (1998-2019)

Teams: Dallas Mavericks (1998-2019)

Game 7 record: 4-2

Game 7 statistics: 26.8/13.6/1.6

Bottom Line: Dirk Nowitzki

Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki celebrates

A lot of players treat big games like so many live grenades. Well, here’s one guy who wouldn’t give it up in the ultimate game. Dirty went off for 30, 31 and 36 points in three victories.

The guy wasn’t just a volume shooter either. He connected on half of his field goal tries and grabbed at least 11 rebounds in all except one game.

7. Larry Bird

Career: 13 seasons (1979-92)

Teams: Boston Celtics (1979-92)

Game 7 record: 6-2

Game 7 statistics: 27.0/9.3/6.8

Bottom Line: Larry Bird

Boston Celtics' Larry Bird raises arms in victory

This Hall of Famer had better games than the one against the Atlanta Hawks in the 1988 Eastern Conference semis, but none was more memorable. Dominique Wilkins went off for 47 points while Larry Legend countered with 34 points (20 in the fourth quarter) and a half-dozen assists in a two-point victory.

“Greatest game I’ve ever played in or seen played,” ‘Nique called it. “It was two guys who just did not want to lose.”

6. Walt Frazier

Career: 13 seasons (1967-80)

Teams: New York Knicks (1967-77), Cleveland Cavaliers (1977-80)

Game 7 record: 4-1

Game 7 statistics: 21.6/7.8/9.4

Bottom Line: Walt Frazier

New York Knicks guard Walt Frazier jumps high

His epic 36/7/19 performance in the 1970 NBA Finals may be the most complete Game 7 ev-er. Dude canned 24-of-29 total shots, for goodness sake. (And he wasn’t the Most Valuable Player of the series? Where’s the forensic audit?)

The only wart on his record: a two-point loss against the Baltimore Bullets in the Eastern Conference Finals one year later.

5. Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon goes high to outreach Dallas Mavericks' James Donaldson

Career: 18 seasons (1984-2002)

Teams: Houston Rockets (1984-2001), Toronto Raptors (2001-02)

Game 7 record: 4-1

Game 7 statistics: 27.2/13.6/5.2

Bottom Line: Hakeem Olajuwon

The New York Knicks’ Patrick Ewing and the Houston Rockets’ Hakeem Olajuwon go for opening tip

There was no more clutch player with Clutch City than this one. The Dream practically willed the championship clincher against the New York Knicks in Game 7 of the 1994 NBA Finals. Guess whose late rejection of John Starks set the stage one game earlier? Yep.

One could quibble with his .632 free throw percentage, except that he sank 9 of 10 freebies in his only loss, an overtime thriller versus the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1993 Western Conference semis.

4. Bill Russell

Career: 13 seasons (1956-69)

Teams: Boston Celtics (1956-69)

Game 7 record: 10-0

Game 7 statistics: 18.6/29.3/3.7

Bottom Line: Bill Russell

Twenty-nine-plus rebounds per game? Ten-and-oh record? Really? Yeah, really.

While The Bearded Wonder was known to take possessions off at the offensive end, he was noticeably more active in seventh games when he averaged 3.5 points more than in the regular season and 2.4 more than his overall playoff norm.

3. Kevin Durant

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant scores against Atlanta Hawks

Career: 14 seasons (2007-19, 2020-present)

Teams: Seattle SuperSonics/Oklahoma City Thunder (2007-16), Golden State Warriors (2016-19), Brooklyn Nets (2020-present)

Game 7 record: 2-3

Game 7 statistics: 36.2/7.2/3.6

Bottom Line: Kevin Durant

Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant after making two-point shot

If there was any doubt about the greatest scorer in Game 7 history, K.D. erased it in the 2021 Eastern Conference semis. His 48 points versus the Milwaukee Bucks in an overtime loss left him with the highest career average, not to mention the most ever in a seventh game.

The guy rebounds and defends, too. At 32, there’s still time to inch up the list.

2. Jerry West

Career: 14 seasons (1960-74)

Teams: Los Angeles Lakers (1960-74)

Game 7 record: 4-5

Game 7 statistics: 30.9/7.7/*6.9

Bottom Line: Jerry West

What was it that New York Giants coach Bill Parcells once said — "You are what your record says you are?"

Well, Tuna obviously never met the most luckless superstar in basketball history. Mr. Clutch averaged 34.0 points and 9.4 rebounds in five losses, four of them by three points or less. He shot a healthy 47 percent in the field and 79 at the charity line. Remember, a lot of this came against some of the best defenders in the game, not to mention the Boston Celtics dynasty.

Fact is, the Logo was the very definition of clutch, won-loss record be damned.

1. LeBron James

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James goes up for dunk

Career: 18 seasons (2003-present)

Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-10, 2014-18), Miami Heat (2010-14), Los Angeles Lakers (2018-present)

Game 7 record: 6-2

Game 7 statistics: 31.0/9.9/5.6

Bottom Line: LeBron James

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James celebrates after making 3-point shot

Seems a bit silly that the haters were unimpressed with this guy’s performance in big games not that long ago, doesn’t it? OK, a lot silly.

Not to say that The King is the equal of Michael Jordan — he’s not even close, so stop it right now! — but their Game 7 resumes are in the same stratosphere. (M.J. had a 2-1 record on a 33.7/7.7/7.0 stat line.) Bron-Bron scored at least 30 points six times and 40 or more twice.