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25 Greatest Performances In NBA Finals History

By Bill Speros

PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 16: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team owner Jerry Buss after they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA finals 4 games to 2 on May 16, 1980 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 16: Earvin Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates with team owner Jerry Buss after they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1980 NBA finals 4 games to 2 on May 16, 1980 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Lakers from 1979 - 91, 96. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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Basketball: NBA Finals: Boston Celtics Bob Cousy (14) in action, layup vs St. Louis Hawks Bob Pettit (9). Boston, MA 3/30/1957–4/13/1957 CREDIT: Richard Meek (Photo by Richard Meek /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X4483 F18 )
Basketball: NBA Finals: Boston Celtics Bob Cousy (14) in action, layup vs St. Louis Hawks Bob Pettit (9). Boston, MA 3/30/1957–4/13/1957 CREDIT: Richard Meek (Photo by Richard Meek /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images) (Set Number: X4483 F18 ) /

5. Bob Pettit, St. Louis vs. Boston, Game 6 (1958)

Bob Pettit is one of the few all-time greats whose championship potential was cut short because his career ran parallel to that of Bill Russell and the dynastic Celtics of the late 1950s and 1960s.

The St. Louis Hawks were a power in the NBA Western Conference. Pettit was their star. The Hawks and Celtics met for the title in 1958, a rematch of the ’57 series won by Boston in seven games.

This time, Russell would suffer an ankle injury in Game 3. Pettit and the Hawks would eventually prevail. He scored 50 points in the series-clinching Game 6 at St. Louis, including 19 of St. Louis’ last 21. The Hawks wrestled the title from Boston with a 110-109 victory.

"“In his day, he was the best power forward there was,” Boston coach Red Auerbach said of Pettit. “Elgin Baylor was a close second”"

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