Magic Johnson takes up two of the top five spots for most assists in an NBA Finals Game 7.
2025 brings the first NBA Finals Game 7 since 2016’s Warriors-Cavaliers classic as the Thunder host the Pacers. Game 7s have historically brought out the best in the league’s most legendary players. Below, we’ll look at the best assist performances in an NBA Finals Game 7.
1. Walt Frazier, 19 assists (1970 New York Knicks)
Game 7 of the 1970 Finals is one of the most iconic games in NBA history. Though it’s often mentioned due to Willis Reed’s heroics in fighting through a tough leg injury, Frazier did a lot of heavy lifting to get the Knicks to the mountaintop against the Lakers. Frazier had 36 points, which actually ranks sixth all-time in a Finals Game 7, and set the record for assists with 19. That record still stands today over 50 years later. The Knicks won the game 113-99 thanks in large part to Frazier’s contributions across the board.
2. Magic Johnson, 15 assists (1984 Los Angeles Lakers)
Johnson had plenty of legendary Finals moments but one of his best came in Game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals vs the Celtics. Magic dished out 15 assists to go with 16 points, five rebounds and four steals. It wasn’t quite enough to hold of Larry Bird and the Celtics, however, as Boston took Game 7 by a score of 111-102.
3. Bob Cousy, 14 assists (1960 Boston Celtics)
Cousy is an all-time player who had numerous big moments in big games. He raised his game in the series finale vs the St. Louis Hawks in 1960 and dished out 14 assists to help the Celtics raise another banner. Cousy averaged 14.4 points and 10.0 assists over the course of the series. To underline how special Cousy’s passing was for his time, no other player in the series averaged more than 5.7 assists per game.
4. Magic Johnson, 14 assists (1988 Los Angeles Lakers)
The 1988 NBA Finals stand as a fascinating inflection point in league history. The Showtime Lakers were making one more push for a title and facing off against an ascending Pistons team that would go on to win the championship each of the next two seasons. Johnson and the Lakers prevailed in this Game 7, however, as Magic popped for 19 points and 14 assists to lead Los Angeles to a 108-105 victory.
5. Jerry West, 12 assists (1969 NBA Finals)
West’s Game 7 goes down as one of the greatest postseason performances in NBA history. West recorded a Game 7 record 42 points to go with 12 assists and 13 rebounds. Despite Mr. Clutch’s incredible triple-double, his Lakers fell to the Celtics 108-106. West’s dominance throughout the series earned him Finals MVP honors, however. West averaged 37.9 points, 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds for the series. He is the only player ever to be named the NBA Finals MVP for the losing team.
