6 Best Single-Game NBA Finals Performances of All Time
By Charles Nason
The 2019 NBA Finals kick off Thursday, as the Warriors visit the Raptors in Toronto for Game 1, hopeful to maintain their dynasty for one more summer. With so much star power going head-to-head, there's plenty of potential for unreal solo efforts. Throughout the history of the Finals, we've seen countless unbelievable individual performances, many of which have delivered rings to cities in need. These six stand out.
6. Allen Iverson: Game 1, 2001
With the Lakers riding a 19-game win streak into the 2001 NBA Finals, Allen Iverson and the Sixers had a tough challenge ahead of them. In Game 1 of the series, A.I. took over with 48 points to lead Philadelphia to an overtime victory that temporarily deflated the dominant Lakers. In the same game, Iverson provided one of the most legendary photos in NBA history by stepping over Tyronn Lue. Unfortunately, the champion Lakers smelled their own blood and didn't like it, rattling off four consecutive wins to close out the series 4-1.
5. Isiah Thomas: Game 6, 1988
In Game 6 of the 1988 Finals, Isiah Thomas was plagued by a severe ankle sprain that most thought would keep him off the court. Instead, Thomas dropped 43 points, including a 25-point third quarter, an NBA Finals record that still stands today. Despite Thomas performing like a man possessed, the Pistons went on to lose Game 6 and eventually the series to the Lakers.
4. Bill Russell: Game 7, 1962
After battling neck-and-neck for six games, the 1962 Finals between the Celtics and Lakers came down to a Game 7. That contest gave us one of the most unreal stat lines of all time, with Bill Russell leading the Celtics to an overtime win with 30 points and 40 rebounds.
3. Michael Jordan: Game 5, 1997
In almost every list of legendary individual performances in the NBA Finals, Michael Jordan's "flu game" will show up -- and for good reason. Dragged down by illness, Jordan and his teammates weren't even sure if he'd play in one of the most pivotal games of the series. On the way to the Bulls' fifth championship of the decade, Jordan dropped 38 points in Game 5 against the Jazz, adding seven rebounds and five assists.
2. Elgin Baylor: Game 5, 1962
Even though Elgin Baylor's Lakers went on to lose the 1962 Finals to the Celtics, he provided one of the greatest performances in the history of the round. With the series knotted at two games apiece, Baylor dominated Game 5 with 61 points and 22 rebounds to give the Lakers a 3-2 series lead. Those 61 points remain the most scored all-time in an NBA Finals game.
1. Magic Johnson: Game 6, 1980
After Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was sidelined with an ankle injury, the Lakers looked to rookie Magic Johnson in Game 6 of the 1980 Finals. With a 3-2 series lead over the Sixers, the Lakers clinched the title, with Magic dropping 42 points in a 123-107 win. Don't forget, either, that he added 15 rebounds and seven assists for good measure.