NBA ranking: The top scorers in Game 7s in playoff history
NBA ranking: The top scorers in Game 7s in playoff history
Jorge Sierra, USA TODAY SportsFri, May 29, 2026 at 9:19 PM UTC
0
LeBron James leads yet another all-time NBA ranking, on a list dominated by Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics players. Today, we're showcasing the top Game 7 scorers in NBA playoff history.
Don't bother looking for Michael Jordan on this ranking. MJ simply didn't play enough Game 7s to make the list. The six-time NBA champion and Finals MVP participated in only three Game 7s throughout his entire career, though he did average an impressive 33.7 points on 45.7 percent shooting in those games.
Below, discover the highest-scoring players in Game 7s in NBA postseason history.
1. LeBron James: 279 points
Stats: 34.9 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 5.6 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.9 bpg, 48.5 FG%, 33.9 3P%
Record: 6-2 (75.0 percent)
2. Jerry West: 278 points
UNITED STATES - APRIL 23: Basketball: NBA Finals, Los Angeles Lakers Jerry West (44) in action vs Boston Celtics, Inglewood, CA 4/23/1969--4/25/1969 (Photo by George Long/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (SetNumber: X14024)
Stats: 30.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 6.1 apg, 47.9 FG%
Record: 4-5 (44.4 percent)
3. Elgin Baylor: 263 points
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 29.2 ppg, 13.4 rpg, 3.8 apg, 41.5 FG%
Record: 3-6 (33.3 percent)
4. Sam Jones: 244 points
Unknown date; Cincinnati,OH, USA; Sam Jones of the Boston Celtics in action against the Cincinnati Royals at Cincinnati Gardens. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports copyright By Malcolm Emmons
Stats: 27.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.9 apg, 49.3 FG%
Record: 9-0 (100.0 percent)
5. Wilt Chamberlain: 220 points
BOSTON - 1964: Wilt Chamberlain #13 of the San Francisco Warriors shoots a jumpshot against Bill Russell #6 of the Boston Celtics during an NBA game at the Boston Garden circa 1964 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1964 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)
Stats: 24.4 ppg, 27.0 rpg, 4.7 apg, 62.6 FG%
Record: 4-5 (44.4 percent)
6. Larry Bird: 216 points
Larry Bird #33, Power Forward for the Boston Celtics looks on during the NBA Midwest Division basketball game against the Denver Nuggets on 17th February 1991 at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado, United States. The Boston Celtics won the game 126 - 108. (Photo by Tim DeFrisco/Allsport/Getty Images)
Stats: 27.0 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 6.8 apg, 1.9 spg, 1.3 bpg, 49.7 FG%, 44.4 3P%
Record: 6-2 (75.0 percent)
7. Jayson Tatum: 187 points
Stats: 26.7 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 5.1 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.7 bpg, 47.4 FG%, 47.9 3P%
Record: 5-2 (71.4 percent)
8. Bill Russell: 186 points
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Stats: 18.6 ppg, 29.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, 44.7 FG%
Record: 10-0 (100.0 percent)
8. Paul Pierce: 186 points
.
Stats: 18.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.9 bpg, 40.8 FG%, 33.3 3P%
Record: 5-5 (50.0 percent)
10. Stephen Curry: 185 points
Stats: 30.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 7.0 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.7 bpg, 47.1 FG%, 42.1 3P%
Record: 4-2 (66.7 percent)
11. Kevin Durant: 181 points
Stats: 36.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 3.6 apg, 0.6 spg, 1.8 bpg, 52.9 FG%, 48.8 3P%
Record: 3-2 (60.0 percent)
12. Bob Pettit: 175 points
NBA Photos/NBAE via Getty Images
Stats: 29.2 ppg, 16.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, 40.0 FG%
Record: 2-4 (33.3 percent)
13. Patrick Ewing: 167 points
RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 23.9 ppg, 14.1 rpg, 3.4 apg, 0.3 spg, 2.3 bpg, 48.5 FG%, 33.3 3P%
Record: 3-4 (42.8 percent)
14. Nikola Jokic: 166 points
Stats: 23.7 ppg, 14.5 rpg, 7.2 apg, 0.8 spg, 1.7 bpg, 43.9 FG%, 24.2 3P%
Record: 4-3 (57.1 percent)
15. Jaylen Brown: 165 points
Stats: 18.3 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.3 spg, 0.7 bpg, 44.1 FG%, 25.4 3P%
Record: 6-3 (66.7 percent)
16. James Harden: 162 points
Stats: 18.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 7.1 apg, 2.3 spg, 1.0 bpg, 34.1 FG%, 20.3 3P%
Record: 5-4 (55.5 percent)
Advertisement
16. Dennis Johnson: 162 points
LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1978: Dennis Johnson #24 of the Seattle Supersonics looks to pass the ball against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1978 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Johnson played for the Supersonics from 1976-80. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Stats: 18.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 5.7 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.9 bpg, 37.8 FG%, 25.0 3P%
Record: 7-2 (77.7 percent)
18. Jamal Murray: 161 points
Stats: 23.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.5 apg, 0.7 spg, 0.2 bpg, 43.0 FG%, 25.0 3P%
Record: 4-3 (57.1 percent)
19. Ray Allen: 160 points
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 03: Ray Allen #34 of the Seattle SuperSonics drives by Smush Parker #1 of the of the Los Angeles Lakers as Parker runs through a screen in the fourth quarter on November 3, 2006 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Stats: 14.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 0.8 spg, 0.4 bpg, 38.6 FG%, 36.7 3P%
Record: 7-4 (63.6 percent)
20. Dwyane Wade: 158 points
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 19.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.0 spg, 0.6 bpg, 41.5 FG%, 23.5 3P%+
Record: 5-3 (62.5 percent)
21. Chris Paul: 154 points
Stats: 19.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 9.1 apg, 2.5 spg, 0.1 bpg, 46.3 FG%, 36.8 3P%
Record: 3-5 (37.5 percent)
22. Kawhi Leonard: 152 points
Stats: 21.7 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 0.7 bpg, 43.6 FG%, 27.8 3P%
Record: 3-3 (50.0 percent)
23. Tim Duncan: 148 points
.
Stats: 24.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.3 bpg, 48.2 FG%,
Record: 3-3 (50.0 percent)
24. Julius Erving: 145 points
Philadelphia 76ers forward Julius Erving (6) lays the ball up against the Boston Celtics in the 1981 season at the Boston Garden. Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 24.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 4.0 apg, 1.3 spg, 2.7 bpg, 45.8 FG%
Record: 3-3 (50.0 percent)
24. Tom Heinsohn: 145 points
Unknown date; Cincinnati, OH, USA: FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics forward Tom Heinsohn (15) drives against Cincinnati Royals forward Bob Boozer (13). Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons- USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 20.7 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 44.8 FG%
Record: 7-0 (100.0 percent)
26. Robert Parish: 141 points
LANDOVER, MD - CIRCA 1978: Robert Parish #00 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1978 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Parish played for the Warriors from 1976-80. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
Stats: 15.7 ppg, 11.0 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.6 spg, 2.2 bpg, 45.5 FG%
Record: 6-3 (66.7 percent)
27. Hakeem Olajuwon: 136 points
Apr 8, 1990; Orlando, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Houston Rockets center #34 HAKEEM OLAJUWON in action against the Orlando Magic at the Orlando Arena. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 27.2 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.4 spg, 2.0 bpg, 49.6 FG%
Record: 4-1 (80.0 percent)
27. Kevin McHale: 136 points
May 1981; Houston, TX, USA: FILE PHOTO; Boston Celtics forward Kevin McHale (32) in action against the Houston Rockets during the 1980-81 NBA Finals at the Summit. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 17.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.3 spg, 1.1 bpg, 55.9 FG%
Record: 6-2 (75.0 percent)
29. Dirk Nowitzki: 134 points
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 26.8 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.8 bpg, 50.0 FG%, 33.3 3P%
Record: 4-1 (80.0 percent)
29. Cliff Hagan: 134 points
ST. LOUIS - 1960: Cliff Hagan of the St. Louis Hawks poses for an action portrait during the 1960 season in St. Louis, Missouri. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1960 NBAE (Photo by NBAE Photos/NBAE via Getty Images)
Stats: 19.1 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 40.9 FG%
Record: 2-5 (28.5 percent)
31. Kobe Bryant: 133 points
Feb 28, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) in the first half of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 22.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.0 spg, 1.3 bpg, 38.9 FG%, 37.0 3P%
Record: 5-1 (83.3 percent)
31. Elvin Hayes: 133 points
Stats: 22.2 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.7 apg, 3.2 bpg, 45.1 FG%
Record: 4-2 (66.7 percent)
This content may be blocked in parts of Europe due to GDPR. To use it, connect your VPN to a non-EU country and try again.
We highly recommend you add HoopsHype as a preferred source on Google. You just have to click here.
This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: NBA ranking: The top scorers in Game 7s in playoff history
Source: “AOL Sports”
