Basketball Reference Blog

Top Single-Game Performances in the NBA Finals (Part Two: the 1990s)

Posted by Darren Baker on June 28, 2024

(last updated on October 17, 2025)

We are going to continue our look at the greatest single-game performances in the NBA Finals. This list will focus on the 1990s. This could be a list of all Michael Jordan games, but we are going to be fair to other clutch efforts and not just #23. To refresh your memory from the previous edition, for a player’s performance to qualify for this list, his team had to win the title during that series. Another rule for this list is that no player will get multiple entries. I apologize to that decent shooting guard on the Bulls, but we have to make room for his supporting cast as well. 

In the spirit of Inside Stuff, NBA Jam, and John Tesh’s NBA on NBC anthem, now we jump into the 1990s … when one team had a three-licious decade and basketball truly became an international game. Let’s bounce into some of the top single-game performances in NBA Finals history during the 90s.

Joe Dumars (Game 3 of the 1990 NBA Finals)

Photo of Joe Dumars

Joe Dumars

Pronunciation: \DOO-mars\

Joe Dumars III

(Joe D, Broadway Joe)

Position: Shooting Guard and Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-3, 190lb (190cm, 86kg)

Born: May 24, 1963 (Age: 60-353d) in Shreveport, Louisiana us

College: McNeese State University

High School: Natchitoches Central in Natchitoches, Louisiana

Draft: Detroit Pistons, 1st round (18th pick, 18th overall), 1985 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 25, 1985

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2006 (Full List)

Career Length: 14 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

1018

PTS

16.1

TRB

2.2

AST

4.5

FG%

46.0

FG3%

38.2

FT%

84.3

eFG%

49.8

PER

15.3

WS

86.2

Yes, Isiah Thomas was the MVP of the 1990 Finals, but the most clutch performance of the series may have been from his backcourt mate: Joe Dumars. Joe D was the reigning Finals MVP and already a very accomplished player heading into the ‘90 Finals. In Game 3 of that series, he reinforced his status as one of the top two-way guards in the NBA. After the defending champion Detroit Pistons lost a tough Game 2 at home to the very talented Portland Trail Blazers, they were facing three daunting games at “The Crib” and the possibility of not returning to the Palace. Dumars alleviated concerns with 33 points and 5 assists (9 for 9 from the line) in a resounding 121-106 Game 3 win. Actually, returning to the Palace never happened because the Bad Boys won all three games in Portland to repeat as champions. This guard from McNeese State may have been quiet in personality but not on the court. He was a huge piece of the Detroit Dynasty of the late 80s and early 90s. This humble Hall of Famer was a six-time All-Star, a five-time All-Defensive Team player, and a two-time NBA champion. On top of that, Joe Dumars has one of the best single-game performances ever in the NBA Finals.

John Paxson (Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals)

Photo of John Paxson

John Paxson

John MacBeth Paxson

(Pax, Johnny Pax, Johnny)

Position: Point Guard ▪ Shoots: Right

6-2, 185lb (188cm, 83kg)

Born: September 29, 1960 (Age: 63-225d) in Dayton, Ohio us

Relatives: Brother Jim Paxson; Father Jim Paxson

College: Notre Dame

High School: Archbishop Alter in Kettering, Ohio

Draft: San Antonio Spurs, 1st round (19th pick, 19th overall), 1983 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 29, 1983

Career Length: 11 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

772

PTS

7.2

TRB

1.2

AST

3.6

FG%

49.9

FG3%

35.5

FT%

80.4

eFG%

52.8

PER

12.0

WS

36.3

He is probably the least heralded name on this list, but he was certainly an impactful one. John Paxson was a role player during the Chicago Bulls first three-peat, and he had one of the best single-game performances in the NBA Finals. Michael Jordan and the Bulls were stalking their first title in 1991 with a 3-1 lead heading into Game 5 against the LA Lakers in the Great Western Forum. The game was tied heading into the fourth quarter, and that’s when John Paxson went off. Paxson splashed 20 points on 9 for 12 from the field; he was 5 for 5 in the final minutes. Interestingly, in the NBA of a different era, Paxson didn’t even attempt a three-point shot; he was a mid-range master. The Bulls won 108-101 and captured their first of six NBA titles in the 1990s. This is obviously not the flashiest statline in Finals history, but when you consider Paxson’s role compared to Jordan and Pippen, it is a darn impressive showing. This guard also hit a huge jumper to help seal the 1993 Finals for Chicago. John Paxson was a key piece to the early 90s Bulls teams, and his performance in Game 5 of the 1991 NBA Finals was a very memorable display.

Michael Jordan (Game 4 of the 1993 NBA Finals)

Photo of Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan

Michael Jeffrey Jordan

(Mike, Air Jordan, M.J., His Airness, Money, Black Cat, Mr. June, G.O.A.T., Superman, Captain Marvel, Black Jesus)

Position: Shooting Guard and Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

6-6, 198lb (198cm, 89kg)

Born: February 17, 1963 (Age: 61-084d) in Brooklyn, New York us

College: UNC

High School: Emsley A. Laney in Wilmington, North Carolina

Draft: Chicago Bulls, 1st round (3rd pick, 3rd overall), 1984 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 26, 1984

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2009 (Full List)

Career Length: 15 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

1072

PTS

30.1

TRB

6.2

AST

5.3

FG%

49.7

FG3%

32.7

FT%

83.5

eFG%

50.9

PER

27.9

WS

214.0

As previously mentioned, this list could have been totally composed of Michael Jordan’s best NBA Finals games. Picking Air Jordan’s top single-game performance in the Finals is like choosing your favorite Michael Jackson song. Since we can only choose one for this list, the belle of the ball will be Game 4 of the ‘93 Finals. That was the unforgettable matchup of Michael and his Chicago Bulls against Charles Barkley and his Phoenix Suns. At the time, they were pretty widely acknowledged as the two best players in the NBA. In Game 4 at the United Center, Jordan dropped 55 points on Sir Charles’s squad as the Bulls won 111-105 and took a 3-1 series advantage; they later wrapped up the three-peat in Game 6. This 55 piece is the second-highest scoring output in NBA Finals history (done without a single three pointer). It is one of six 40-point games MJ had in the Finals. His 33.6 ppg in the Finals is second all time. Another notable point about this game is the psychological message His Airness delivered. The Suns won the previous game and had momentum in the series, but Mike let them know that the Larry O’Brien Trophy was not switching homes. #23’s 246 points scored in this series was his highest total in any of his six Finals appearances. There is no doubt Michael Jordan is strongly in the GOAT conversation, and his performance in Game 4 of the 1993 NBA Finals only strengthens his case. 

Hakeem Olajuwon (Game 3 of the 1994 NBA Finals)

Photo of Hakeem Olajuwon

Hakeem Olajuwon

Pronunciation: \ah-KEEM ah-LAH-zhoo-wahn\

Hakeem Abdul Olajuwon ▪ Twitter: DR34M

(formerly Akeem Olajuwon)

(The Dream, Little Moses)

Position: Center ▪ Shoots: Right

7-0, 255lb (213cm, 115kg)

Born: January 21, 1963 (Age: 61-111d) in Lagos, Nigeria ng

College: Houston

High School: Muslim Teachers College in Lagos, Nigeria

Draft: Houston Rockets, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1984 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 27, 1984

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2008 (Full List)

Career Length: 18 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

1238

PTS

21.8

TRB

11.1

AST

2.5

FG%

51.2

FG3%

20.2

FT%

71.2

eFG%

51.3

PER

23.6

WS

162.8

After the previous guy on this list, you could make a very convincing argument that Hakeem Olajuwon was the most dominant player of the 1990s. This Hall of Famer accumulated two Defensive Player of the Year awards (1993 and 1994), two NBA titles (1994 and 1995), two Finals MVPs (1994 and 1995), and the 1994 MVP award. The Dream played in 11 Finals games, and his top single-game performance was probably Game 3 of the ‘94 Finals. Ironically, this was his lowest scoring outing in the Finals, but his overall stat line in a pivotal game is what shines. Hakeem and his Houston Rockets were tied 1–1 with Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks staring at three straight games in MSG. In a typical 90s-Knicks-bloodbath type of game, the Nigerian center starred on both sides of the court: 21 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 7 blocks, and a steal. The Rockets won 93-89 and then later survived in seven games. This was the first of two straight NBA championships in Clutch City with #34 winning Finals MVP both times. Hakeem Olajuwon has an all-time NBA resume, and that includes one of the best single-game performances in NBA Finals history.

Scottie Pippen (Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals)

Photo of Scottie Pippen

Scottie Pippen

Scottie Maurice Pippen ▪ Twitter: ScottiePippen

(Formerly known as Scotty Maurice Pippen)

(Pip, Scott, Batman, Robin)

Position: Small Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

6-8, 210lb (203cm, 95kg)

Born: September 25, 1965 (Age: 58-229d) in Hamburg, Arkansas us

Relatives: Nephew Kavion Pippen; Son Scotty Pippen Jr.

College: University of Central Arkansas

High School: Hamburg in Hamburg, Arkansas

Draft: Seattle SuperSonics, 1st round (5th pick, 5th overall), 1987 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: November 7, 1987

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2010 (Full List)

Career Length: 17 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

1178

PTS

16.1

TRB

6.4

AST

5.2

FG%

47.3

FG3%

32.6

FT%

70.4

eFG%

50.4

PER

18.6

WS

125.1

If Michael Jordan can’t appear multiple times on this list, then you know Scottie Pippen has to make an appearance. As one half of the perhaps the greatest duo in NBA history, Pippen played in 35 NBA Finals games in his career. This small forward from Central Arkansas was known for his overall game at both ends of the floor, and that was on display in Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals. Pippen and the Bulls were taking on the Utah Jazz. In front of the United Center crowd, Scottie did his normal stat filling: 27 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 steals, and 2 assists. The Bulls won a nail biter 84-82 when some guard from North Carolina drained a jumper at the buzzer. In a closer-than-you-might-realize series (the total point differential was only four points), Chicago won its fifth NBA title in six games. Like he did throughout the decade, #33’s contributions were vital to his team’s championship run. Scottie Pippen was one of the best two-way players in NBA history, and he showed that in Game 1 of the ‘97 Finals.

Tim Duncan (Game 2 of the 1999 NBA Finals)

Photo of Tim Duncan

Tim Duncan

Timothy Theodore Duncan

(Timmy, The Big Fundamental, Groundhog Day, Old Man Riverwalk, The Stone Buddha)

Position: Center and Power Forward ▪ Shoots: Right

6-11, 250lb (211cm, 113kg)

Born: April 25, 1976 (Age: 48-016d) in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands vi

College: Wake Forest

High School: Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal in Saint Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Draft: San Antonio Spurs, 1st round (1st pick, 1st overall), 1997 NBA Draft

NBA Debut: October 31, 1997

Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 2020 (Full List)

Career Length: 19 years

SUMMARY

Career

G

1392

PTS

19.0

TRB

10.8

AST

3.0

FG%

50.6

FG3%

17.9

FT%

69.6

eFG%

50.7

PER

24.2

WS

206.4

Is there a more under-the-radar NBA great than Tim Duncan? The back of his card reads like a Billy Joel greatest hits album, but at times it feels that he doesn’t get the love that he rightfully deserves. In two decades as a San Antonio Spur, Duncan played in the playoffs every season and was a five-time NBA champion (5-0 in Finals appearances with three Finals MVPs). It is tough picking his top Finals performance, but it would be hard to beat Game 2 of the 1999 NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. In a defensive-minded series where neither team ever cracked 100 points in a game, Timmy showcased his well-rounded game. Game 2 was an 80-67 Spurs triumph, and the steady post player posted 25 points, 15 boards, 4 blocks, and 3 assists. Most impressively, Duncan and fellow Twin Tower David Robinson forced the Knicks front court to 4 of 16 from the field; hence, New York had one of the lowest team point totals in Finals history (67). Tim Duncan’s personality may have been reserved, but his performance in Game 2 of the 1999 NBA Finals spoke very loudly.

FAQs

What is the most points scored in a single game of the NBA Finals in the 1990s?

Michael Jordan scored the most points in an NBA Finals game during the 1990s. On June 16, 1993, Jordan scored 55 points for the Chicago Bulls in a win over the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The Bulls later won that series in six games.

Who has the most triple-doubles in NBA Finals history?

LeBron James has the most triple-doubles in the NBA Finals with 11.

What is the most points scored in a single game of the NBA Finals?

Elgin Baylor holds the NBA record for most points scored in an NBA Finals game. On April 14, 1962, Baylor scored 61 points in a win for the Los Angeles Lakers against the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The Lakers later lost that series in seven games. 

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