Udonis Haslem Becomes Oldest Player to Appear in NBA Finals

The Miami Heat veteran turns 43 on Friday.

Udonis Haslem has enjoyed a charmed 20-season NBA career.

The Miami Heat icon has been a party to all seven of the franchise’s NBA Finals appearances, and now he owns a league record that stands as a testimony to his longevity.

Haslem, who will turn 43 on Friday, became the oldest player to appear in an NBA Finals game when he checked into Game 3 in the final minute Wednesday night at Kaseya Center in Miami. He attempted one shot from the field and missed, as the Nuggets beat the Heat, 109–94, to take a 2–1 lead in the best-of-seven Finals.

Haslem broke the record previously held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was 42 years and 58 days old when he played in Game 4 of the 1989 Finals for the Lakers against the Pistons.

• Get your seats to Miami Heat games at SI Tickets

Haslem has played his entire NBA career with the Heat. Last summer, he announced he would return for one final season with the team. The three-time NBA champion was feted with a stirring video tribute, featuring LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal, by the team prior to his last regular-season game on April 9.

42-year-old Udonis Haslem, the oldest player to ever play in the NBA Finals. 🏀 pic.twitter.com/8erQpeON17

— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 8, 2023