Greatest Game 7s in Sports History

2016 NBA Finals Game 7 (Cavaliers vs. Warriors)

Down 3-1 to a 73-win juggernaut, LeBron James delivered the chase-down block on Andre Iguodala and Kyrie Irving drilled a dagger three over Steph Curry to give Cleveland its first title. The block alone is replayed as one of the greatest defensive plays ever, capping the largest

Year: 2016Sport/League: NBA FinalsFinal Score: Cavaliers 93–89 WarriorsDrama Rating: 10/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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1960 World Series Game 7 (Pirates vs. Yankees)

Bill Mazeroski's walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth remains the only Game 7 walk-off homer to ever end a World Series, stunning the powerhouse Yankees. Pittsburgh's wild 10-9 win instantly cemented Mazeroski's swing as baseball folklore.

Year: 1960Sport/League: MLB World SeriesFinal Score: Pirates 10–9 YankeesDrama Rating: 10/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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2016 World Series Game 7 (Cubs vs. Indians)

The Cubs broke a 108-year championship drought in extra innings, surviving a rain delay and a tying Rajai Davis homer off Aroldis Chapman before winning in the 10th. For Chicago it was pure generational catharsis; for Cleveland's own decades-long curse, pure heartbreak.

Year: 2016Sport/League: MLB World SeriesFinal Score: Cubs 8–7 IndiansDrama Rating: 10/10Went to Overtime/Extras: ✓

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2001 World Series Game 7 (Diamondbacks vs. Yankees)

Facing the greatest closer ever in Mariano Rivera, Arizona rallied in the ninth as Luis Gonzalez blooped a walk-off single over a drawn-in infield. Coming weeks after 9/11, the Yankees' bid for a historic fourth straight title fell agonizingly short.

Year: 2001Sport/League: MLB World SeriesFinal Score: Diamondbacks 3–2 YankeesDrama Rating: 9/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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2004 ALCS Game 7 (Red Sox vs. Yankees)

Not a World Series game, but arguably the most stunning comeback in baseball history: Boston became the only MLB team to erase a 3-0 series deficit, finishing with a 10-3 rout in the Bronx. It broke the 86-year 'Curse of the Bambino' and rewired the entire rivalry.

Year: 2004Sport/League: MLB ALCSFinal Score: Red Sox 10–3 YankeesDrama Rating: 9/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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1970 NBA Finals Game 7 (Knicks vs. Lakers)

Willis Reed limped onto the Madison Square Garden floor with a torn thigh muscle, scored the game's first two baskets, and inspired the Knicks to blow out the Lakers for their first title. Reed's grit-over-stats entrance became one of the most iconic images in NBA history.

Year: 1970Sport/League: NBA FinalsFinal Score: Knicks 113–99 LakersDrama Rating: 9/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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1994 Stanley Cup Final Game 7 (Rangers vs. Canucks)

The Rangers ended a 54-year championship drought, holding off Vancouver 3-2 at Madison Square Garden as Mark Messier's Game 6 guarantee became prophecy. Fans famously chanted '1940' throughout the series until the final horn erased the curse.

Year: 1994Sport/League: NHL Stanley Cup FinalFinal Score: Rangers 3–2 CanucksDrama Rating: 9/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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1965 World Series Game 7 (Dodgers vs. Twins)

Sandy Koufax, pitching on just two days' rest and having sat out Game 1 for Yom Kippur, threw a three-hit shutout to clinch the title for Los Angeles. It stands as one of the gutsiest single-game pitching performances in World Series history.

Year: 1965Sport/League: MLB World SeriesFinal Score: Dodgers 2–0 TwinsDrama Rating: 8/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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1987 Stanley Cup Final Game 7 (Oilers vs. Flyers)

Wayne Gretzky's Oilers held off an upstart Flyers team that had stunned Edmonton by winning Games 5 and 6 to force a decider despite trailing 3-1 in the series. Edmonton's win completed the franchise's third Cup in four years.

Year: 1987Sport/League: NHL Stanley Cup FinalFinal Score: Oilers 3–1 FlyersDrama Rating: 8/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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2019 World Series Game 7 (Nationals vs. Astros)

The Nationals became the first team ever to win a World Series without a single home victory, closing it out in Houston behind Max Scherzer and a lockdown bullpen. It capped a run from 19-31 in May to champions in October.

Year: 2019Sport/League: MLB World SeriesFinal Score: Nationals 6–2 AstrosDrama Rating: 8/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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1955 World Series Game 7 (Dodgers vs. Yankees)

After losing to the Yankees five previous times, 'Dem Bums' finally broke through as Johnny Podres threw a complete-game shutout and Sandy Amoros made a legendary running catch in left field. It remains Brooklyn's only World Series title before the franchise moved west.

Year: 1955Sport/League: MLB World SeriesFinal Score: Dodgers 2–0 YankeesDrama Rating: 8/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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2011 Stanley Cup Final Game 7 (Bruins vs. Canucks)

Boston blanked Vancouver 4-0 on the road, with Tim Thomas posting a dominant shutout to claim Boston's first Cup since 1972. The aftermath turned dark when the loss sparked a riot in downtown Vancouver, overshadowing the Bruins' emphatic clincher.

Year: 2011Sport/League: NHL Stanley Cup FinalFinal Score: Bruins 4–0 CanucksDrama Rating: 7/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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1988 NBA Finals Game 7 (Lakers vs. Pistons)

Isiah Thomas's heroic 25-point third quarter on a badly sprained ankle in Game 6 wasn't enough, as the Lakers held on 108-105 to become the first team in 19 years to repeat as champions. James Worthy's triple-double sealed Pat Riley's famous 'Guarantee.'

Year: 1988Sport/League: NBA FinalsFinal Score: Lakers 108–105 PistonsDrama Rating: 8/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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1962 World Series Game 7 (Yankees vs. Giants)

Ralph Terry outdueled Jack Sanford in a tense finish, and the Series ended when Bobby Richardson snagged Willie McCovey's screaming line drive at second base to save the title. That final out became one of baseball's most famous 'what if' moments, immortalized in Peanuts.

Year: 1962Sport/League: MLB World SeriesFinal Score: Yankees 1–0 GiantsDrama Rating: 8/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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2013 NBA Finals Game 7 (Heat vs. Spurs)

One night after Ray Allen's corner three saved Miami's season in Game 6, the Heat closed out San Antonio 95-88 as LeBron James scored 37 points to secure his second straight title. The Games 6-7 sequence is considered among the greatest Finals finishes ever played.

Year: 2013Sport/League: NBA FinalsFinal Score: Heat 95–88 SpursDrama Rating: 8/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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1994 NBA Finals Game 7 (Rockets vs. Knicks)

Amid a Game 5 broadcast overshadowed by the O.J. Simpson car chase, Hakeem Olajuwon's Rockets held off Patrick Ewing's Knicks 90-84 to win Houston's first title. John Starks' infamous 2-for-18 shooting night became New York's enduring what-could-have-been.

Year: 1994Sport/League: NBA FinalsFinal Score: Rockets 90–84 KnicksDrama Rating: 7/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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1974 NBA Finals Game 7 (Celtics vs. Bucks)

Boston topped the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar-led Bucks 102-87, avenging a Game 6 loss that featured Abdul-Jabbar's iconic game-winning bank shot off the backboard glass. It launched the next chapter of the Celtics' dynasty under John Havlicek and Dave Cowens.

Year: 1974Sport/League: NBA FinalsFinal Score: Celtics 102–87 BucksDrama Rating: 6/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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1975 World Series Game 7 (Reds vs. Red Sox)

One night after Carlton Fisk's iconic waving home run forced a decisive Game 7, the 'Big Red Machine' rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat Boston on Joe Morgan's go-ahead ninth-inning single. It capped what's often called the greatest World Series ever played.

Year: 1975Sport/League: MLB World SeriesFinal Score: Reds 4–3 Red SoxDrama Rating: 9/10Went to Overtime/Extras: —

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