Top Single-Game Performances in the NBA Finals (Part Four: the last two decades)

(last updated on October 18, 2025)

We are going to continue our look at the greatest single-game performances in the NBA Finals. This list will focus on the Finals since 2010. Many familiar names and future Hall of Famers will be getting an entry. 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. For instance, LeBron and Steph have several worthy performances, but each can only have one make the list. 

Let’s look back at the last two decades … a time of smartphones, social media, and Uber. We will now revisit some of the top single-game performances in NBA Finals history since 2010.

Dirk Nowitzki (Game 2 of the 2011 NBA Finals)

If you’re making a Mount Rushmore of foreign-born NBA stars, this German definitely gets a spot: Dirk Nowitzki. This Hall of Famer and the sixth all-time leading scorer in NBA history (31,560 points) had an epic NBA Finals game that fueled an unbelievable comeback win and eventually led to the Larry O’Brien Trophy. In Game 2 of the 2011 Finals, Dirk and the Dallas Mavericks were down 15 points halfway through the fourth quarter in Miami against the Heat. Staring a 2-0 deficit in the face, the seven-foot sharpshooter put the Mavs on his back. He went for 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists, not the most eye-popping stats, but the amount of clutch plays in the final moments is what stands out. The 2007 NBA MVP scored Dallas’s last nine points, including the game-winning drive with just three seconds left. In Game 6, the Mavs won again in Miami to win the franchise’s first NBA championship. Nowitzki was named the Finals MVP as he cemented his legacy as perhaps the greatest foreign player in league history. Dirk Nowitzki delivered some monumental stats in his 21 seasons, and he also delivered one of the top single-game performances ever in the NBA Finals.

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Kawhi Leonard (Game 4 of the 2014 NBA Finals)

Three players in NBA history have won the Finals MVP award with multiple teams. Kareem and LeBron were the first two to do it. Who is the third? Kawhi Leonard was the Finals MVP in 2014 (San Antonio Spurs) and in 2019 (Toronto Raptors). In Game 4 of the 2014 NBA Finals, Leonard had one of his signature stat-stuffing performances that was one of the most impressive in Finals history. The Claw’s 20 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks helped the Spurs dominate the Miami Heat (in South Beach) by 21 points. San Antonio won its fifth NBA title in the next game, and Leonard was named the Finals MVP. This series also represented the Spurs becoming Kawhi’s team as this signaled his presence as an NBA force. In addition to those Finals MVPs, Kawhi has been a six-time All-Star, a six-time All-NBA player, and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Kawhi Leonard is still building his career resume, and that already includes one of the best single-game performances in NBA Finals history.

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LeBron James (Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals)

LeBron James has played in 55 NBA Finals games. But what one has been his best performance? It would be hard to top what he did in Game 6 of the 2016 Finals. Yes, in Game 7 of that series he had the unforgettable chase-down block as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in their house, but his performance in Game 6 was his crown jewel. That night in a 115-101 Cavs win, King James scored 41 points, dished 11 assists, swallowed 8 boards, snatched 4 steals, and swatted 3 blocks. He had a 42.5 game score rating (his third best in 287 career playoff games). This was one of the wildest and most memorable Finals ever. Cleveland won its first title as they overcame a 3-1 series deficit to the team with the best regular-season record in NBA history. As far as LBJ’s Finals accolades, he has been a four-time Finals MVP with three different teams. Besides that, the Akron native is second in Finals points (1,562), second in Finals assists (430), second in Finals steals (93), fourth in Finals rebounds (562), and sixth in Finals blocks (46). It is obvious why LeBron James is in the GOAT conversation, and his eye-popping performance in Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals helps state that claim.

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Kevin Durant (Game 3 of the 2018 NBA Finals)

Without a doubt, Kevin Durant has been one of the most dynamic scorers the NBA has ever seen. He is already eighth on the all-time scoring list with some good years left. His combination of size, shooting, and elite scoring ability was on full display in Game 3 of the 2018 NBA Finals. That night KD and the Golden State Warriors took a commanding 3-0 lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Slim Reaper torched LeBron and company with 43 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists; he was 6 for 9 from deep and registered a 39.6 game score rating (his second best ever in 170 career playoff games). Golden State won their second consecutive title, and Durant collected his second consecutive Finals MVP award. The Durantula is one of four players in league history who has averaged 30 points or more in his Finals career (30.3 ppg). Kevin Durant is climbing up the career scoring list, and he also has one of the top single-game performances in NBA Finals history.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo (Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals)

Only seven players have ever scored 50 points in an NBA Finals game. Out of those seven, only two did it in a close-out game for their team. Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of those men. In Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals, the Greek Freak had one of the signature close-out games in Finals history when he led the Milwaukee Bucks over the Phoenix Suns for the franchise’s first title in 50 years. Giannis dropped 50 points and collected 14 boards; his efficiency was excellent by going 16-25 from the field (64%) and 17-19 from the line (90%). This I-can-do-everything player was named the Finals MVP and reaffirmed his status as a modern-day great. Only age 30 yet, this all-time Buck already has a Springfield resume: nine-time All-Star, nine-time All-NBA, two-time MVP, DPOY award, NBA 75th Anniversary Team, etc. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been one of the best in the league the last decade, and he showed that with an all-time game in the NBA Finals.

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Stephen Curry (Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Finals)

It’s wild to think that Steph Curry only captured the Finals MVP once in Golden State’s four title runs. That was the 2022 Finals against the Boston Celtics, and he had a Finals game for the ages in that series. In Game 4 at the Boston Garden, with the Warriors down 2-1, Steph was masterful with 43 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists. The volume shooter was ultra efficient that night: 14 of 26 from the field, 7 of 14 from deep, and 8 of 9 from the charity stripe. This performance surged the team, and they went on to win the next two games in comfortable fashion for their fourth NBA championship in the Splash Brothers era. Curry got his long awaited Finals MVP award. He already has the most three-point field goals in Finals history (152) … and playoff history (650) … and regular-season history (4,058 and growing). His 27.3 ppg in the Finals is ninth all time, and we could fill up a sea scroll with the rest of his accolades. Stephen Curry may be the greatest shooter ever in the NBA, and he also has one of the best single-game performances in NBA Finals history.

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Nikola Jokic (Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals)

You know the winner of the NBA MVP award in three out of the last five years had to make an appearance on this list: Nikola Jokic. Jokic started his Finals career resoundingly by putting up a triple-double in Game 1 of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. The Denver Nuggets Serbian center had 27 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds in a decisive 104-93 victory. He had a 78 true shooting % for maximum efficiency. The Joker added another triple-double in Game 3 of this series, and the Nuggets went on to win their first NBA title in five games. He seized the Finals MVP with averages of 24.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg, and 9.8 apg. This triple-double machine is already third on the playoffs all-time list with 21. His versatility as a center is historic, and since he is relatively young, all of these numbers are going to soar the rest of this decade. Nikola Jokic may be the best all-around player in today’s game, and it is fitting that he has one of the top single-game performances in NBA Finals history.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024 at 9:29 pm and is filed under Top 10 Lists. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.