NBA Playoffs: 30 best Game 7 performances in NBA Playoffs history
Best Game 7 performances in NBA Playoffs history: 21. Dirk Nowitzki (2003)
Stat line:
- 30 points
- 19 rebounds
- 60% from the field
- 75% from the 3-point line
The Dallas Mavericks and the Sacramento Kings had an under-the-radar rivalry in the early 2000s. From 2002-2004, both squads met in the NBA Playoffs three straight years. There were plenty of memorable moments between them as well.
From a one point Game 5 win for the Kings in 2004 to close out the series to a double-overtime victory for the Mavericks in Game 3 in 2003, there have been countless classics.
In what was possibly the most memorable performance of any player in those games, Dirk Nowitzki had an outrageous outing in Game 7 in 2003.
Even without Hall of Fame bound Chris Webber, the Kings had endless weapons which all seemed to play well in that final game. Five of their eight players scored in double figures and both Mike Bibby and Bobby Jackson cleared 20 points. Still, that wasn’t enough. The big German scored 30 points and was red hot all game long. He shot 60% from the field and connected on an unheard of 75% from distance. Never known for his willingness to crash the glass, Nowitzki showed how much that game meant to him as he grabbed 19 on the night.
Considering how great he was from every part of the floor, there’s no way he wasn’t going to make this list.