The best Game 7 performances in NBA playoff history

There are few things in sports more dramatic than a Game 7 in a postseason series. It takes a special player to step up and deliver in these pressure-packed win-or-go-home scenarios.

Join us now as we examine the five best individual Game 7 performances in NBA playoff history.

5. Charles Barkley (1993 Western Conference Finals)

The only performance on this list to come before the NBA Finals, Sir Charles came up with one of the best games of his career against Seattle. The 1993 NBA MVP put the Suns on his back and dominated the glass, pulling in 24 total rebounds—just seven fewer than the entire Sonics team.

Barkley had an even bigger game at the offensive end, scoring 44 points and making 19 of his 22 free throws, as he got Seattle’s frontcourt players into serious foul trouble. He also hauled in 10 of his rebounds at that end of the court as he led the Suns to a 12-point victory and a matchup with the Bulls.

4. James Worthy (1988 NBA Finals)

James Worthy recorded only one triple-double in his entire career—and it came at the most opportune moment. After five consecutive Finals Game 7 defeats, Worthy and the Lakers finally claimed a victory as they defeated the Pistons 108-105 behind his 36 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists. It was just the second time the entire season that he grabbed more than 12 rebounds in a single game.

"Big Game James" was matched against the Pistons’ leading scorer Adrian Dantley, and outperformed him to win the Finals MVP award. He picked up the slack of a struggling Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as he made 15 of his 22 shots from the field, and made a key free throw in the final minute to secure the victory.

3. LeBron James (2013 NBA Finals)

While the stat line may not be as impressive as some on the list, James may arguably have had the toughest matchup of anybody mentioned as he battled stud defender Kawhi Leonard for seven games. While 37 points is not even his best scoring output for a Game 7 in his career, LeBron suddenly caught fire from beyond the arc as he led the Heat to a seven-point victory over the Spurs. Shooting less than 30-percent from three-point land during the series, LeBron made five of his 10 attempts on the night.

In addition to scoring nearly two-fifths of his team’s points on the night, LeBron also added 12 rebounds and four assists, and didn't miss a shot from the charity stripe. He scored 22 of his points in the second half, and made a huge three pointer in the final thirty seconds to secure the win.

2. Walt Frazier (1970 NBA Finals)

Everyone remembers this game for Willis Reed’s playing injured, but few remember that Reed only scored four points. It was, in fact, Frazier’s outstanding performance that picked up the slack and helped the Knicks defeat the Lakers for the NBA crown. Frazier scored 36 points and assisted a whopping 19 baskets as he led the Knicks to 113-99 victory. He added seven rebounds to round out his terrific effort.

He also put up the outstanding numbers while battling Jerry West, whom he limited to just five assists. His 19 assists are just two shy of Magic Johnson’s Finals record of 21, and he is the only player aside from Magic to record more than 18 in a single Finals game. 

1. Bill Russell (1962 NBA Finals)

The NBA playoff record for most rebounds by a single player is 42. Russell missed tying the record by two rebounds on three different occasions. The last of those performances came in Game 7 of the 1962 Finals, where Russell set a playoff record of 19 rebounds in one quarter en-route to another 40-rebound game. The rest of his team had 42 rebounds, and the Lakers hauled in just 27 more than him as a team.

In addition to the outstanding effort on the glass, Russell’s 30 points helped the Celtics win 110-107 over the Lakers in overtime. The big man played every single minute of the game, made 14 of his 17 attempts from the line, and added four assists for good measure. He also was a force defensively, as he altered numerous shots. His performance added to his stellar legacy, as he never lost a Game 7 in his career.