Whether you're watching or playing, there’s nothing in sports quite like a Game 7. It’s the ultimate test—where one team’s season ends and the other advances or hoists the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Technically, the Minnesota Timberwolves hold the highest winning percentage (2-0), but with such limited experience, they’ve been excluded from this ranking.
NBA Finals Game 7 History
There have been 19 NBA Finals that reached a Game 7, with the most recent in 2016—the unforgettable Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors clash when the Cavs, led by LeBron James , emerged victorious. The Boston Celtics have played in the most Finals Game 7s (seven times), going 6-1. Their only loss came at the hands of the L.A. Lakers in 2010.
Most Frequent Game 7 Matchup
The Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have met in Game 7 a record eight times, with Boston leading the all-time series 6-2. Most of these battles happened before 1983, a trend you’ll see throughout this list.
Most Game 7 Losses in NBA History
It’s no surprise—after six losses to Boston alone—that the 76ers have the most Game 7 losses in NBA history (12). They’ve dropped their last four, including the dramatic 2019 loss to the Toronto Raptors via Kawhi Leonard’s epic buzzer-beater.
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9 Houston Rockets
Record: 7-6 (.538)
HakeemOlajuwon
The Houston Rockets have played 13 Game 7s, most recently falling to the Warriors in 2025. They went 3-0 in win-or-go-home games during their championship runs in 1994 and 1995 following their loss to the Seattle SuperSonics (now the Oklahoma City Thunder) in 1993. Notably, the Rockets have lost two of their last three Game 7s to the Warriors, most recently in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.
Houston Rockets Game 7 History (Last 10 Games)
Year
2025
2020
2018
2015
2009
2007
2005
1997
1995
1994
8 Miami Heat
Record: 7-5 (.583)
Dwyane Wade
The Miami Heat are one of just two teams with a winning record in Game 7s against the Boston Celtics (2-1). They avenged their 2022 loss by dominating Boston in 2023 with a blowout 103-84 victory. During the LeBron era, they went 3-0, including their 2013 Finals win over the San Antonio Spurs .
|Miami Heat Game 7 History (Last 10 Games)|
|Year|Opponent|Result|
|2023|Boston Celtics|Win|
|2022|Boston Celtics|Loss|
|2016|Toronto Raptors|Loss|
|2016|Charlotte Hornets|Win|
|2013|San Antonio Spurs|Win|
|2013|Indiana Pacers|Win|
|2012|Boston Celtics|Win|
|2009|Atlanta Hawks|Loss|
|2005|Detroit Pistons|Loss|
|2004|New Orleans Hornets|Win|
|---|
7 Oklahoma City Thunder / Seattle SuperSonics
Record: 7-5 (.583)
SGA
The Oklahoma City Thunder franchise has two histories, one as OKC and the other as the Seattle SuperSonics. OKC is 3-2, while the Sonics are 4-3. Their standout moment came in 1996, defeating Utah in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals before losing to the Jordan-led Bulls.
|OKC/Seattle Game 7 History (Last 10 Games)|
|Year|Opponent|Result|
|2025|Denver Nuggets|Win|
|2020|Houston Rockets|Loss|
|2016|Golden State Warriors|Loss|
|2014|Memphis Grizzlies|Win|
|2011|Memphis Grizzlies|Win|
|1997|Houston Rockets|Loss|
|1996|Utah Jazz|Win|
|1993|Phoenix Suns|Loss|
|1993|Houston Rockets|Win|
|1980|Milwaukee Bucks|Win|
|---|
6 Golden State Warriors
Record: 7-5 (.583)
GS Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have one of the more interesting Game 7 histories. They didn’t play in a Game 7 between 1978 and 2014, a span of 36 years. They were 3-3 prior to 1978 and 4-2 since 2014. They are currently on a three-game Game 7 win streak. Their most notable loss? The 2016 Finals vs. Cleveland, which produced one of the most exciting Finals in NBA history.
|Golden State Warriors Game 7 History (Last 10 Games)|
|Year|Opponent|Result|
|2025|Houston Rockets|Win|
|2023|Sacramento Kings|Win|
|2018|Houston Rockets|Win|
|2016|Cleveland Cavaliers|Loss|
|2016|OKC Thunder|Win|
|2014|LA Clippers|Loss|
|1977|LA Lakers|Loss|
|1976|Phoenix Suns|Loss|
|1975|Chicago Bulls|Win|
|1964|St. Louis Hawks|Win|
|---|
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5 Washington Wizards / Bullets
Record: 6-4 (.600)
USATSI_9083040
The Washington Wizards have only ever played in one Game 7, losing to the Boston Celtics in 2017. The Bullets, however, were 6-3 in Game 7s during the 1970s, including their lone NBA Finals victory in 1978 against Seattle.
|Washington Wizards Game 7 History (Last 10 Games)|
|Year|Opponent|Result|
|2017|Boston Celtics|Loss|
|1979|San Antonio Spurs|Win|
|1979|Atlanta Hawks|Win|
|1978|Seattle SuperSonics|Win|
|1976|Cleveland Cavaliers|Loss|
|1975|Buffalo Braves|Win|
|1974|New York Knicks|Loss|
|1971|New York Knicks|Win|
|1971|Philadelphia 76ers|Win|
|1970|New York Knicks|Loss|
|---|
4 Dallas Mavericks
Record: 5-3 (.625)
Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks have never played in a Finals Game 7 and lost their only conference finals Game 7 to the Lakers in 1988. Perhaps the fortunate thing for Mavs fans is that they haven't had to experience as much heartbreak from losing in Game 7s, with Dallas dropping just three of them in their franchise history. Even during their run to the NBA Championship in 2011, they didn't have to contend a Game 7 – a testament to how dominant they were, led by Dirk Nowitzki .
|Dallas Mavericks Game 7 History (Last 8 Games)|
|Year|Opponent|Result|
|2022|Phoenix Suns|Win|
|2021|LA Clippers|Loss|
|2014|San Antonio Spurs|Loss|
|2006|San Antonio Spurs|Win|
|2005|Houston Rockets|Win|
|2003|Sacramento Kings|Win|
|2003|Portland Trail Blazers|Win|
|1988|LA Lakers|Loss|
|---|
3 Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 16-8 (.667)
Magic Johnson
The Lakers are second all-time in Game 7s played (24). Like most teams in the NBA, the Lakers have a 1-4 record against Boston, with their only win coming in 2010. In recent history, they are 12-3 since 1970 and 8-1 since 1988. Their last Game 7 came in 2012.
|LA Lakers Game 7 History (Last 10 Games)|
|Year|Opponent|Result|
|2012|Denver Nuggets|Win|
|2010|Boston Celtics|Win|
|2009|Houston Rockets|Win|
|2006|Phoenix Suns|Loss|
|2002|Sacramento Kings|Win|
|2000|Portland Trail Blazers|Win|
|1988|Detroit Pistons|Win|
|1988|Dallas Mavericks|Win|
|1988|Utah Jazz|Win|
|1984|Boston Celtics|Loss|
|---|
2 Boston Celtics
Record: 27-10 (.730)
Boston Celtics Big 3
The Celtics hold the record for the most Game 7 appearances (37) and wins (27), but they don't own the record for the highest winning percentage. Boston, who has the most rings in the NBA, began their history with a 10-0 Game 7 record — which included the greatest dyansty of all time – and have gone 10-4 since 2008. During the time between 1973-2008, they finished with a record of 7-5, which is under-performing compared to the rest of their history. If you were to only take the last 17 years of playoff history, the Celtics would still rank in the top five in all-time Game 7’s played and second in wins with a 10-5 record.
|Boston Celtics Game 7 History (Last 10 Games)|
|Year|Opponent|Result|
|2009|Chicago Bulls|Win|
|2008|Cleveland Cavaliers|Win|
|2008|Atlanta Hawks|Win|
|2005|Indiana Pacers|Loss|
|1992|Cleveland Cavaliers|Loss|
|1988|Atlanta Hawks|Win|
|1987|Detroit Pistons|Win|
|1987|Milwaukee Bucks|Win|
|1984|LA Lakers|Win|
|1984|New York Knicks|Win|
|---|
1 Cleveland Cavaliers
Record: 6-2 (.750)
LeBron Cavaliers
Cleveland has the best Game 7 win percentage of any team with more than two appearances. I know what you’re thinking, this is the LeBron effect; but it isn't. LeBron, one of the greatest palyers in NBA history, is 3-2 in Game 7s for the Cavs, and the team is undefeated (3-0) without him. Their defining moment was the 2016 Finals comeback against Golden State, leading to their first and only NBA Championship.
|Cleveland Cavaliers Game 7 History (Last 8 Games)|
|Year|Opponent|Result|
|2024|Orlando Magic|Win|
|2018|Boston Celtics|Win|
|2018|Indiana Pacers|Win|
|2016|Golden State Warriors|Win|
|2008|Boston Celtics|Loss|
|2006|Detroit Pistons|Loss|
|1992|Boston Celtics|Win|
|1976|Washington Bullets|Win|
|---|
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