Greatest NBA Finals performances

The NBA finals is where basketball greatness is properly put to test. The numbers of regular season lose their shine, the appearances at the All-Star game are no longer important, and only one thing matters, the ability to play when the pressure is highest. There are a handful of players who gave such a memorable, dramatic, and dominating performance in the Finals over the years such that it altered the history of the NBA.

These are the games that not only won titles, but they also made legacies.

Michael Jordan -2002 NBA Finals (Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz)

The 1997 Finals performance of Michael Jordan will always be one of the most recognizable moments in the sporting history. He averaged 32.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in the series.  Although it was Game 5, popularly referred to as the Flu Game, which brought him the legendary status.

Jordan was extremely ill, he still managed to score 38 points including a game winning 3-pointer to provide the Bulls with a much needed win to lead the series 3-2. Chicago proceeded to win the title in six games. It was the ideal demonstration of mental strength of Jordan, when things were rough physically, he was driven by spirit.

LeBron James - 2016 NBA Finals (Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors).

If there is a single Finals performance that defines modern NBA greatness, it is LeBron James in 2016. LeBron faced a 73-win Golden State Warriors team and brought the Cavaliers back after trailing in the series 3-1, the first team to do so in the Finals.

LeBron contributed an average of 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists, and incredibly led the teams in the number of points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. The chase-down block he made on Andre Iguodala in Game 7 was one of the most iconic moments in NBA history. The first championship in 52 years secured the position of LeBron as one of the all time greats in Cleveland.

Shaquille O Neal 2000 NBA Finals (Los Angeles Lakers vs Indiana Pacers)

In the prime of his physical dominance, Shaquille O’Neal was simply unstoppable. Shaq had an average of 38 points and 16.7 rebounds in the 2000 Finals, crushing the defense of Indiana with strength and prowess.

His 40-point, 24-rebound performance in Game 2 remains one of the most dominant Finals games ever. The Pacers had no answer. This performance set the stage of a three-peat period of the Lakers and made Shaq the most powerful center since Wilt Chamberlain.

Magic Johnson - 1980 NBA Finals (Los Angeles Lakers vs Philadelphia 76ers)

This performance of Magic Johnson in the Finals in his rookie-season is one of the most amazing accomplishments in the history of NBA. As Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was injured in the decisive Game 6, Magic began the game at center, although he was the point guard.

He scored a total of 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists, which made the Lakers champions. Magic was the youngest winner of the Finals MVP at only 20 years. It marked the birth of a superstar and the era of Showtime Lakers.

Tim Duncan - 2003 NBA Finals (San Antonio Spurs vs New Jersey Nets)

The greatness of Tim Duncan was silent and overwhelming. During the 2003 Finals, Duncan had an average of 24.2, 17.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists and dominated the series on both sides of the court.

He was two blocks short of a quadruple-double in the final Game 6. This finals appearance made Duncan the most dependable superstar in the league and the backbone of the Spurs long term dynasty.

NBA Finals 2017 (Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers): Kevin Durant

In 2017, Kevin Durant gave one of the most effective performances in Finals history. He had an average of 35.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists with near 55% field goal percentage.

His three pointer over LeBron James in Game 3 was the image of the series. Calm, accurate, and lethal, Durant became a Finals MVP and demonstrated that he can be dominant in the biggest stage.

2021 NBA Finals (Milwaukee Bucks vs Phoenix Suns) Giannis Antetokounmpo

The 2021 performance by Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Finals was a tale of strength and power. Giannis averaged 35.2 points and 13.2 rebounds, and he shot more than 60 percent from field just weeks after a serious knee injury.

The historic Game 6: 50 points, 14 rebounds and the game that won the championship and gave the city of Milwaukee the first title in 50 years. It was one of the most impressive close out games in the Finals.

Final Thoughts

The best performances in the NBA finals are not necessarily about the number of points and massive scores. They are about rising above the pressure, performing when it counts and making history when all is at stake. All these performances help us remember that the Finals are the ultimate test of greatness in basketball.