Date: May 8, 1970

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City

Final Score: New York Knicks 113, Los Angeles Lakers 99

Series Result: Knicks win Finals 4–3

Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals decided the championship between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers. The game is remembered as one of the most iconic moments in NBA history, defined by the unexpected return of Knicks captain Willis Reed and the performance that followed.

Game Context

The series had been highly competitive through six games. The Lakers, led by Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor, were attempting to secure another championship for a veteran core. The Knicks, coached by Red Holzman, relied on balanced scoring, defense, and ball movement.

Reed, the Knicks’ captain and starting center, had suffered a severe thigh injury in Game 5 and missed Game 6 entirely. Entering Game 7, Reed’s availability was uncertain, and his absence was widely expected.

The Willis Reed Return

Shortly before tipoff, Reed emerged from the tunnel at Madison Square Garden. His presence immediately changed the atmosphere in the arena. Although visibly limited, Reed took his place in the starting lineup.

On the Knicks’ first offensive possession, Reed made a short jumper. Moments later, he scored again on a similar shot. Those two baskets would be Reed’s only points of the game, but their impact extended far beyond the box score.

Reed’s return provided an emotional lift to the Knicks and forced the Lakers to adjust defensively. Wilt Chamberlain, who had been expected to dominate the paint, was drawn into guarding Reed despite Reed’s limited mobility.

First Half

The Knicks built momentum quickly. Walt Frazier controlled the tempo, pushing the pace and finding teammates in transition and half-court sets. New York’s ball movement created open looks, while the defense limited the Lakers’ efficiency.

At halftime, the Knicks held a 57–42 lead. Reed remained on the floor primarily as a defensive presence and screener, while Frazier and the Knicks’ backcourt carried the offensive load.

Second Half

Los Angeles attempted to rally behind Jerry West, who scored consistently despite defensive pressure. Chamberlain and Baylor contributed offensively, but the Lakers struggled to close the gap.

The Knicks maintained control throughout the second half. Frazier continued to dictate play, and New York’s defense prevented sustained scoring runs. Reed did not score again but remained a visible presence, anchoring the defense and setting physical screens.

Statistical Summary

Willis Reed: 4 points, limited minutes (injured)

Walt Frazier: 36 points, 19 assists

Jerry West: 36 points

Wilt Chamberlain: 21 points, 24 rebounds

Frazier’s performance is regarded as one of the greatest Game 7 performances in Finals history. Reed, despite scoring only twice, was named NBA Finals MVP for his leadership and symbolic impact throughout the series.

Aftermath and Historical Significance

The Knicks’ 113–99 victory secured the first NBA championship in franchise history. Reed was named Finals MVP, becoming one of the few players to receive the award despite limited production in the deciding game.

Reed’s return became a defining moment in sports history, symbolizing leadership, toughness, and the psychological impact a player can have without statistical dominance. His presence shifted momentum before the game was fully underway.

Game 7 of the 1970 NBA Finals remains one of the most referenced championship games in league history, remembered not only for the result but for the moment Willis Reed stepped onto the floor and altered the course of the game.

Date: May 12, 2019

Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto

Final Score: Toronto Raptors 92, Philadelphia 76ers 90

Series Result: Raptors win series 4–3

Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals concluded a tightly contested series between the Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers. The winner would advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, while the loser’s season would end immediately.

The game became one of the most iconic finishes in NBA playoff history, defined by Kawhi Leonard’s performance and the final shot that decided the outcome.

Game Context

The series had been evenly matched through six games, with neither team able to establish consistent dominance. Toronto acquired Kawhi Leonard during the 2018 offseason specifically for moments like this, while Philadelphia relied on its core of Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons, and Tobias Harris.

Both teams entered Game 7 aware that the margin for error would be minimal. Defensive intensity defined the series, and that tone carried into the deciding game.

First Half

The first half unfolded as a defensive battle. Toronto leaned heavily on Leonard to generate offense, while Philadelphia countered with physical defense and half-court execution.

Leonard scored from all three levels, attacking mismatches and drawing multiple defenders. Despite limited scoring efficiency from other Raptors, Toronto remained in control due to Leonard’s shot-making and rebounding.

At halftime, Toronto held a narrow 45–43 lead.

Second Half and Fourth Quarter

The second half remained tightly contested, with frequent lead changes and extended scoring droughts on both sides. Philadelphia increased defensive pressure, while Embiid and Butler carried much of the offensive load.

Leonard continued to shoulder the majority of Toronto’s offense. He scored in isolation, off movement, and in transition, while also guarding multiple positions defensively.

Entering the final minutes, the game remained within one possession. Neither team led by more than six points at any point in the second half.

Final Possessions

76ers possession (final seconds): With the score tied at 90–90, Jimmy Butler drove to the basket and converted a layup, tying the game and leaving Toronto with a final possession.

Raptors timeout: Toronto used its final timeout to advance the ball and set up the last play.

Raptors final possession: Leonard received the inbound pass near the top of the floor and dribbled toward the right side. Guarded closely by Ben Simmons and with Joel Embiid contesting at the rim, Leonard rose for a contested fadeaway jumper from the right corner as time expired.

The shot: The ball struck the rim multiple times before dropping through the net as the buzzer sounded, giving Toronto a 92–90 victory.

Kawhi Leonard’s Impact

Leonard finished the game with one of the most dominant individual performances in Game 7 history. He scored efficiently despite heavy defensive attention and accounted for nearly half of Toronto’s total offense.

Beyond scoring, Leonard controlled the game defensively, rebounded at a high level, and made correct reads when double-teamed. Toronto’s offensive structure throughout the game was built around his ability to create under pressure.

Statistical Summary

Kawhi Leonard: 41 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists

Joel Embiid: 21 points, 11 rebounds

Jimmy Butler: 16 points

Ben Simmons: 13 points

Leonard scored 41 of Toronto’s 92 points and made the game-winning shot at the buzzer. It was the first Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA playoff history.

Aftermath and Historical Significance

The win sent Toronto to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2016. Leonard’s shot immediately became one of the most recognizable moments in NBA history due to the context, difficulty, and finality of the play.

Toronto went on to defeat Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference Finals and later won the franchise’s first NBA championship. Leonard’s Game 7 performance is widely regarded as one of the defining moments of that championship run.

Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals remains one of the most documented and replayed playoff games due to its defensive intensity, individual brilliance, and the final shot that ended the series.

Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals was played with the Oklahoma City Thunder holding a 3–2 series lead and positioned to eliminate the defending champion Golden State Warriors on their home floor. Golden State entered the game facing elimination and needed a win to extend the series.

Game Context

Golden State entered the series after a 73–9 regular season but had struggled to find consistent offense against Oklahoma City’s length, athleticism, and physical defense. Through five games, the Thunder had disrupted the Warriors’ rhythm and forced contested perimeter shots.

Stephen Curry had been inconsistent by his standards, and Golden State’s margin for error was minimal entering Game 6. Oklahoma City had controlled much of the series with rebounding, transition offense, and isolation scoring from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

First Half

The first half reflected the tone of the series. Oklahoma City controlled pace and built its lead by attacking the paint and limiting Golden State’s easy looks. The Thunder’s defense focused on switching and closing out aggressively on shooters.

Klay Thompson kept Golden State within reach by scoring efficiently from the perimeter. Several of his first-half three-pointers came off quick releases and limited space, preventing the Thunder from building a double-digit lead. At halftime, Oklahoma City led 53–48.

Second Half and Fourth Quarter

Oklahoma City extended its advantage in the third quarter and appeared in control entering the fourth. The Thunder led by multiple possessions late in the game, and Golden State’s offense stalled as Oklahoma City continued to defend the paint and force tough shots.

Despite the deficit, Thompson remained aggressive. Golden State continued to run actions designed to free him through off-ball movement, screens, and quick reversals. Thompson took shots without hesitation, regardless of coverage.

Klay Thompson’s 11 Three-Pointers

Thompson finished the game with 41 points and made 11 three-pointers on high volume. The makes came in a variety of situations: spot-ups, pull-ups, contested shots, and late-clock attempts. Oklahoma City frequently had a defender in position, but Thompson’s release speed minimized contest effectiveness.

Several of Thompson’s three-pointers occurred with Golden State trailing or the game within one possession. He repeatedly answered Thunder baskets and prevented Oklahoma City from gaining separation. His shot-making forced the Thunder to extend their defensive coverage, opening the floor late in the game.

Thompson scored 19 points in the fourth quarter. During that stretch, he hit multiple three-pointers from the right wing and top of the arc, including shots taken with defenders closing or already in his shooting space.

Final Minutes (Possession-by-Possession)

Statistical Summary

Klay Thompson: 41 points, 11 three-pointers (NBA playoff record)

Stephen Curry: 31 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists

Kevin Durant: 29 points

Russell Westbrook: 28 points, 9 assists

Thompson’s 11 made three-pointers set an NBA playoff record at the time. His shooting accounted for a majority of Golden State’s fourth-quarter offense and directly swung the outcome of the game.

Aftermath and Historical Significance

The victory forced a Game 7 in Oklahoma City, which Golden State went on to win. Thompson’s performance became known as “The Klay Game” and remains one of the most cited shooting performances in NBA playoff history.

The game marked a turning point in the series and in league history, as it preserved Golden State’s season and preceded Oklahoma City’s collapse in Game 7.