Every NBA Finals Series to Go Seven Games

Karl Rasmussen | Jun 16, 2025

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) go after a loose ball during the third quarter in game seven of the NBA Finals. / Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The 2025 NBA Finals is officially underway, as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers both look to win their first NBA title in franchise history.

With the teams having split the first four games of the series, there's a real chance this year's NBA Finals needs seven games to reach its conclusion. Historically, the NBA Finals has not often gone to seven games, and we haven't seen a championship bout reach Game 7 since 2016. In fact, throughout league history, the NBA Finals has gone the full distance of seven games only 19 times.

Most recently, the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors was decided in seven games, but the winner of the past eight championships has been determined quicker than that.

Here's a look at every NBA Finals series that has gone seven games:

Every NBA Finals Series to Go to Game 7

YEAR	MATCHUP
1951	Rochester Royals def. New York Knicks
1952	Minneapolis Lakers def. New York Knicks
1954	Minneapolis Lakers def. Syracuse Nationals
1955	Syracuse Nationals def. Fort Wayne Pistons
1957	Boston Celtics def. St. Louis Hawks
1960	Boston Celtics def. St. Louis Hawks
1962	Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers
1966	Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers
1969	Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers
1970	New York Knicks def. Los Angeles Lakers
1974	Boston Celtics def. Milwaukee Bucks
1978	Washington Bullets def. Seattle Supersonics
1984	Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers
1988	Los Angeles Lakers def. Detroit Pistons
1994	Houston Rockets def. New York Knicks
2005	San Antonio Spurs def. Detroit Pistons
2010	Los Angeles Lakers def. Boston Celtics
2013	Miami Heat def. San Antonio Spurs
2016	Cleveland Cavaliers def. Golden State Warriors

Game 7's have been few and far between in recent history. Since 1995, only four NBA Finals series have reached the coveted seventh game.

Of course, those that have gone the distance have resulted in some iconic moments, including the Cavaliers becoming the first team in league history to overcome a 3–1 deficit in the Finals in '16 against the Warriors.

Of the 19 Game 7's in NBA Finals history, only two have gone to overtime, and none since 1962 when the Celtics took down the Lakers.

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