Ranking the Greatest NBA Finals Performances in Losing Efforts Since 2000
As much as we hope to see greatness rewarded, that simply does not always happen in the NBA Finals.
In recent memory, a prime example is LeBron James during the 2015 NBA Finals. He paced all scorers in five of the six games, but his injury-plagued Cleveland Cavaliers could not keep up with the Golden State Warriors.
Five other instances stand out since the 2000 NBA Finals.
Historically, the losing team's top player is not recognized for his efforts. Only once—Jerry West in 1969—has an individual from the runner-up still earned the MVP honor. But the following group has a few players who demanded that level of respect in the last 20-plus years.
The list is subjective but focuses on individual production and considers both series length and context.
6. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (2019)
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In the moment, perhaps you didn't have a lot of sympathy for Stephen Curry. After all, the Golden State Warriors had made the NBA Finals for a fifth consecutive season and previously won three titles.
But as a star-studded roster crumbled around him, Curry did as much as possible to keep the Dubs in contention.
Golden State lost Kevin Durant to an Achilles injury in Game 1 and Klay Thompson to a torn left ACL in Game 5.
Curry averaged 30.5 points, 6.0 assists and 5.2 rebounds in the series. Along with maxing out at 47 points—then the highest total of his playoff career—in Game 3, he drilled a clutch late-game triple to help the Warriors win Game 4.
However, the Kawhi Leonard-led Toronto Raptors dispatched the banged-up Warriors in six games.
5. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder (2012)
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The next two players share a common trait: They excelled in a Finals loss to LeBron-led opposition.
Durant tallied 25-plus points in all five clashes with the Heat, opening the series by scoring 36 points in an OKC victory. Unfortunately for the Thunder, that would be their lone win of the series.
Nevertheless, the 23-year-old Durant had a memorable five-game run. He averaged 30.6 points with a 54.8 percent shooting mark, hitting 39.4 percent of his 6.6 long-range attempts per game.
LeBron secured MVP honors and his first-ever championship, but KD left a strong impression in his Finals debut.
4. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat (2020)
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Since joining the Miami Heat in 2020, Jimmy Butler has unleashed an incredible alter ego: Playoff Jimmy.
The legend began in the bubble, peaking opposite the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA Finals. Butler had 22-plus points in the first five contests, including a 40-point explosion with a triple-double in Game 3.
As if that's not enough, the Heat won Game 5 thanks to his 35-point triple-double—with a handful of steals, too.
Butler wrapped up the series with 26.2 points per game on 55.2 percent shooting, adding 9.8 assists and 8.2 rebounds. Miami bowed out to LeBron and the Lakers in six games, though.
3. Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers (2001)
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From a narrative perspective, it's a shame that one of Allen Iverson's most iconic highlights preceded a series loss.
But this moment has endured for decades.
The opening game of the 2001 Finals between the Philadelphia 76ers and Lakers went to overtime. Iverson sealed the Philly victory with a step-back jumper and disrespectful—in the best way—step over Tyronn Lue.
Iverson, who scored 48 points, also contributed six assists and five steals on that memorable night.
Similar to Durant, the disappointing reality is AI and the Sixers could not manage another win. Nevertheless, he poured in 35.6 points and 3.8 assists per game.
2. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers (2017)
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Durant and Butler found themselves on the wrong end of a series against The King. LeBron, however, is not immune to a stellar individual series not being enough for a ring.
In 2017, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Warriors squared off in a third straight NBA Finals. But the Warriors added Kevin Durant in the prior offseason and cruised to a championship. They jumped out to a 3-0 series lead and sealed the title in a relatively comfortable Game 5.
James made history anyway.
Despite the runner-up finish, he became the first player to average a triple-double in the Finals. LeBron recorded 33.6 points, 12.0 rebound and 10.0 assists per game, shooting 55.6 percent from the floor.
Most remarkably, it's hardly even a discussion this performance in 2017 is behind his showing in 2015.
1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers (2015)
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You could've given him the MVP in 2015.
Sure, the Warriors took the series. LeBron absolutely was the best player, though. He scored a game-high total in five of the six outings—and ended two assists shy of a triple-double in the one contest he did not.
Cleveland only had Kyrie Irving for a game, and Kevin Love didn't play a minute. James responded to their absences in tremendous fashion, netting 39-plus points in Games 1-3. He tallied a 40-point triple-double in Game 5 and racked up 32 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists in the series-ending Game 6 loss.
James averaged a hugely impressive 35.8 points with 13.3 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game.
The next season, he'd lead the Cavaliers to a long-awaited ring.
