Every NBA Finals Series to Go Seven Games

Karl Rasmussen | Jun 7, 2024

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 2024 NBA Finals tip off on Thursday night, as the Boston Celtics look to add an 11th Larry O'Brien Trophy to their trophy case, while the Dallas Mavericks look to secure the franchise's second-ever NBA title.

For viewing purposes, getting the opportunity to see a seven-game series between the Celtics and Mavericks would be wildly entertaining. It's somewhat uncommon for an NBA Finals series to go the full seven games, however. Throughout 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 past seven championships have been decided 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.