# What is the greatest NBA Finals series of all time?

> From triple-overtime thrillers to iconic individual performances, the Finals have produced some of the most electric moments in sports history. Which series is the greatest?

*By YPB Team · Published May 26, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-greatest-nba-finals-series-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **1984 Lakers vs Celtics**
   The ultimate rivalry showdown — Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird, Lakers vs. Celtics — in a classic seven-game war that defined an era of NBA basketball.
2. **2016 Warriors vs Cavaliers**
   Cleveland's stunning 3-1 comeback against the record-setting 73-win Warriors, as LeBron James delivered the most improbable championship in NBA history.
3. **1997 Bulls vs Jazz**
   Michael Jordan's legendary 'Flu Game' highlighted a gripping six-game series cementing Jordan's status as the ultimate competitor.
4. **2013 Heat vs Spurs**
   Ray Allen's miraculous corner three in Game 6 to force overtime — then the Heat winning in seven — produced the single greatest moment in Finals history.
5. **1976 Celtics vs Suns**
   Game 5's triple-overtime thriller is still called the greatest Finals game ever played, featuring Jo Jo White's heroics and a wild court-storming incident.
6. **1980 Lakers vs 76ers**
   Magic Johnson's jaw-dropping 42-point, 15-rebound Game 6 performance at center — as a rookie — remains one of the most stunning individual Finals feats ever.
7. **2011 Heat vs Mavericks**
   Dirk Nowitzki's hobbled, one-handed fadeaway run through the Heat — including a finger-roll to force OT — delivered Dallas its only championship.
8. **1988 Lakers vs Pistons**
   James Worthy's triple-double in Game 7 secured the Lakers' back-to-back titles in a fierce physical battle against the rising Bad Boys.
9. **2006 Heat vs Mavericks**
   Dwyane Wade's explosive 40-point games sparked Miami's comeback from 0-2 down, as Wade averaged 34.7 PPG to claim Finals MVP in dominant fashion.
10. **1993 Bulls vs Suns**
   Michael Jordan averaged 41.0 PPG over six games — still the highest Finals PPG average ever — to win his third consecutive title against the Suns.
11. **1969 Celtics vs Lakers**
   Bill Russell's final championship as player-coach in a storied series featuring the legendary Jerry West, who won Finals MVP despite being on the losing team.
12. **2019 Warriors vs Raptors**
   Toronto's historic first championship came amid Warriors injuries and the stunning loss of Kevin Durant mid-series, creating one of the most dramatic Finals ever.
13. **1994 Rockets vs Knicks**
   A grinding, physical seven-game battle in the post-Jordan era, featuring Hakeem Olajuwon's masterclass against Patrick Ewing in classic big-man chess.

Tags: usa, sports, basketball, nba, all-time