Top 10 7-Game Series of All Time
No. 10
2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals: New York Knicks (4) vs Miami Heat (3)
The 2000 Eastern Conference Semifinals marks the end of what may be the most violent rivalry in NBA history. The Knicks and Heat faced off in four consecutive postseasons (1997-2000). In 1997, P.J. Brown delivered his infamous takedown of Charlie Ward, sparking a massive brawl that saw the benches clear. In 1998, former Charlotte Hornets teammates Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson got into an altercation. In the midst of that chaos, Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy was seen desperately clinging to Mourning’s leg in an attempt to break up the fight.
The 2000 series doesn't stand out because of any memorable brawl—because there wasn’t one. Instead, it’s memorable for how low-scoring and gritty it was. Between both teams, only one managed to score over 90 points in a game. Every contest, except for one, was decided by six points or less. It was ugly, yet beautiful. There’s something truly admirable about a series fueled purely by passion and animosity toward the opposing team. In this matchup, skill often took a backseat; it was the relentless competitiveness and sheer grit of both squads that truly defined the series. This is what playoff basketball is all about.
No. 9
2009 Eastern Conference First Round: Boston Celtics (4) vs Chicago Bulls (3)
Going into the 2009 season, the Boston Celtics, led by aging veterans Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett, were looking to defend their 2008 title and go back-to-back. The Chicago Bulls, on the other hand, were in a very different position. They had just drafted Chicago native Derrick Rose with the first overall pick the previous summer, and despite a rebuilding phase, they managed to sneak into the playoffs as the 7th seed.
What appeared to be a 2-seed and 7-seed matchup on the bracket felt more like a 4-5 matchup due to the fact that Kevin Garnett suffered a season-ending knee injury before the playoffs. Nonetheless, this series was wildly entertaining.
Rose showed the world that he was destined for greatness, dropping 36 points and 11 assists in an overtime Game 1 win.
Despite the Bulls losing Game 2, Ben Gordon scored 42 points.
The Bulls tied up the series at 2-2 in double overtime, fending off a Rajon Rondo 25 point triple-double.
The Celtics won Game 5 in overtime following Rajon Rondo’s 28 and 11.
Ray Allen scored 51 points in Game 6, but it wasn’t enough to overcome John Salmons’ 35 points in 60 minutes of action, as he led the Bulls to a triple-overtime win.
Celtics win the series in seven. Still an extremely valiant effort by the young Bulls.
No. 8
1988 Finals: Los Angeles Lakers (4) vs Detroit Pistons (3)
The 1988 Finals can be best explained as a race between two cars—one already with a few laps under its belt, but maybe running out of gas, while the other, full of energy and momentum, is coming up fast, ready to take the lead. The Lakers had made deep playoff runs for almost a decade up to that point, winning four titles since Magic was drafted. The Pistons, however, were fresh and new to the scene. 1988 marks the last Lakers championship of the Showtime era until Shaq and Kobe’s three-peat. The Bad Boy Pistons would go back-to-back in 89’ and 90’ immediately after losing in 88’. In 89’ the Pistons swept the Lakers to truly take the throne. It doesn’t get more “passing of the torch” than that.
This series was filled with iconic moments. In Game 6, Isiah Thomas suffered a gruesome ankle injury in the third quarter. Limping around the court, Thomas still managed to score 25 points in the quarter and 43 for the game. The Pistons lost Game 6 by one point because of the controversial foul call committed by Bill Laimbeer on a Kareem skyhook attempt.
In Game 7, it was James Worthy who would emerge the hero. Worthy had a 36-point triple-double and the Lakers won by 3 points, 108-105. That Game 7 performance is why James Worthy should never be forgotten.
No. 7
2004 West Semis: Minnesota Timberwolves (4) vs Sacramento Kings (3)
The 2004 Western Conference Semifinals between the Kings and the Timberwolves could have been one of the greatest positional matchups in NBA history. On the Timberwolves, you have the 2004 MVP and arguably the most versatile player in the league at the time, Kevin Garnett. For the Kings, you have Chris Webber, who was injured for most of the regular season, but up to that point, was a walking 20 and 10 all-star forward for most of his career. It’s unfortunate that Webber didn’t look quite like himself after his knee injury. Even with Webber not being 100%, the Kings had enough of a supporting cast to keep the series competitive. The Timberwolves’ roster construction was almost the complete opposite of the Kings. Aside from Garnett, the Wolves had two aging yet effective co-stars in Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell.
This series is best known for its Game 7. Garnett put up a historic 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 5 blocks, leading the Wolves past the second round for the first time in franchise history. It was also the Kings' last legitimate chance at a lengthy playoff run. Despite their talent, neither team would experience playoff success for roughly another 15-20 years.
No. 6
2016 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors (4) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (3)
The 2016 Western Conference Finals are seen as the little brother to an even greater 7-game series, but we shouldn’t downplay or ignore how impactful this series was in its own right. The implications that followed the series were the first stepping stones towards changing the NBA forever.
The legend of Game 6 Klay was born. Durant became fed up. Draymond’s public image was forever altered. And of course, it set up the only 3-1 comeback in NBA Finals history.
The Warriors’ 3-1 comeback almost becomes forgotten because they gave up a 3-1 series lead three weeks later. It can be argued that the 3-1 comeback the Warriors’ made is arguably more impressive than the 3-1 series comeback Cleveland made in the finals. Yes, the stakes are higher in the finals, but no team experienced any major injuries or suspensions. With both teams having their full arsenal at their disposal, the Warriors emerged victorious in seven when they seemed dead in the water after Game 4.
Would it have been worse if the 73-9 Warriors lost in the conference finals or does blowing a 3-1 lead in the finals still take the cake?
No. 5
2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Toronto Raptors (4) vs. Philadelphia 76ers (3)
I don’t think anyone has seen anything like that last shot in Game 7 of the Raptors-Sixers series. You could hear every one of the six bounces and see everyone frozen around the basket. It’s not an exaggeration to say that time was frozen in that moment.
Kawhi’s shot ended more than the Sixers season that year. It also prematurely ended the “process.” People often point to Ben Simmons, but I believe that losing this series and then letting Jimmy Butler walk in free agency is what truly marked the beginning of the downward spiral of the “process.” Not only did Kawhi’s shot end the process before it even really got started, but it also paved the way for Toronto to win their only title in franchise history. Kawhi Leonard was able to solidify himself as a top three, if not the best, Toronto Raptor of all-time.
“Imagine if he stayed.”
No. 4
2010 Finals: Los Angeles Lakers (4) vs Boston Celtics (3)
Before the Finals even played its first game, the tension and storylines were already set. The Celtics had beaten the Lakers in 2008, a loss that Kobe Bryant would never let go of. That defeat was personal for him, and you could feel his determination to avenge it. On top of that, Kobe was seeking his 5th championship, one more than Shaquille O'Neal, a fact he made clear in his press conferences. The narrative of redemption and legacy was already in full force before the series even began.
On the Celtics' side, the expectations following the acquisitions of Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett were that this team would win more than just one championship. While they did capture a title in their first season together in 2008, Garnett suffered an injury in 2009, which derailed their chances at repeating. However, they made their return to the Finals in 2010, and the expectation was clear: win it all. Winning only one championship with the star-studded core they assembled would have been seen as underwhelming, especially considering the immense talent and potential of the group.
In the end, the Lakers would successfully get their revenge on the Celtics. Celtics fans often bring up Kendrick Perkins’ absence in Game 7 due to injury. Before Perkins became a fixture on Shaqtin' a Fool and making outlandish claims on TV, he was a vital piece to the Celtics' success. Unfortunately, the championship doesn’t wait for injured players—it’s part of the game.
Kobe Bryant would finish his career with five championships, just one short of his role model, Michael Jordan.
No. 3
1969 Finals: Boston Celtics (4) vs Los Angeles Lakers (3)
Over the course of Bill Russell’s career, the Celtics faced the Lakers seven times in the Finals, winning every single matchup. However, the 1969 Finals stands out as a major subversion of what we’re used to seeing in the modern NBA. From the storylines to the game dynamics, it was a series unlike any other, and it broke the conventional mold in so many ways.
Game 7 of the 1969 Finals marked the last game of Bill Russell’s legendary career, and it resulted in his 11th championship as a player and his 2nd as a coach. In 1969, Russell served as a player-coach for the Celtics, a rare role that showcased his leadership both on and off the court.
Despite the Lakers losing the series, Jerry West was awarded Finals MVP, a rare and unique honor for a player on the losing team.
In Game 4, Sam Jones hit a clutch game-winner, keeping the Celtics’ hopes alive in the series.
Don Nelson, best known for having the second-most coaching wins in NBA history, delivered one of the more clutch and unlikely shots of Game 7, further cementing his place in Celtics lore.
At the time, intentional fouling was frowned upon, so teams would avoid it, leading to a jump ball at the start of every quarter instead of free throws.
The 1969 Finals concluded an era of basketball and marked the end of the most decorated career in NBA history.
N0. 2
2016 Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs Golden State Warriors (3)
“LeBron James” by Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0
The 2016 Finals might include the greatest Game 7 of all time. Between LeBron’s iconic block, Kyrie’s clutch shot, and Kevin Love’s late-game defense, the Cavs' Big Three delivered in the biggest of moments. Outside of Game 7 and LeBron and Kyrie’s combined 82 points in Game 5, the series wasn’t particularly competitive. Over half of the games were blowouts. In many ways, the series is defined and carried by the drama of Game 7.
What keeps this series from being ranked number one, however, are Draymond Green’s suspension and Andrew Bogut’s injury. As I’ve mentioned before, the NBA doesn’t wait for players who are injured or suspended. Still, it's impossible not to wonder what might have happened if both teams were fully available for all seven games.
It’s still one of the greatest series of all time and capped off what is arguably the greatest NBA season ever.
No. 1
2013 Finals: Miami Heat (4) vs San Antonio Spurs (3)
The 2013 Finals had everything. From the presentation to the evenly matched teams and the iconic moments, this is my personal favorite NBA Finals I’ve had the pleasure of watching. I wish NBA Finals intros were broadcasted during the Warriors-Cavs rivalry. Miami was looking to go back-to-back, while the Spurs were trying to salvage one last run before Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginóbili got too old.
The series was filled with iconic moments like Mike Miller making a three in Game 7 without his shoe, LeBron James blocking Tiago Splitter in Game 2, LeBron’s dagger jumper in Game 7, Ray Allen’s legendary 3-pointer to force overtime in Game 6, Tony Parker’s dagger in Game 1, Danny Green and Gary Neal combining for 13 threes in Game 3, Chris Bosh’s game-saving block in Game 6, and Shane Battier’s six threes in Game 7. Over the course of a series, the 2013 Finals might have the most memorable moments—an all-around perfect seven-game series.
