Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: 10 greatest individual Game 7 performances of all time

By Jordanna Clark

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates as the Lakers defeat the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates as the Lakers defeat the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 17, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
Los Angeles Lakers, Wilt Chamberlain
(Photo credit should read MATT CAMPBELL/AFP via Getty Images) /

No. 8: Wilt Chamberlain – 1970 Western Divisional Series

Seven-foot-one center Wilt Chamberlain wasn’t about to lose to the Phoenix Suns in Game 7 of the Western Divisional Series in 1970. After all, it was only Phoenix’s second season in the NBA. The Suns won 16 games in their first year and somehow made it far enough the following season to go head-to-head against the Lakers.

As if that isn’t shocking enough, Los Angeles was at a 3-1 deficit after Game 4. Chamberlain, a four-time MVP, scored 36 points in Game 5, the most that he scored in the series, to lead the purple and gold to a 138-121 win. He contributed a triple-double in Game 6 with 12 points, 26 rebounds and 11 assists.

Yet, the final game of the series was Wilt’s best statistical Game 7 during his five years in Los Angeles. He finished with 30 points on 11-for-18 shooting, 27 rebounds and six assists in 43 minutes. Due to Chamberlain, the win-or-go-home game was a blowout. The Lakers led 33-21 at the end of the first quarter and went into halftime with a 63-40 lead before winning the game, 129-94.

Los Angeles swept the Atlanta Hawks in the Western Conference Finals before losing to the New York Knicks in the finals. Wilt scored 45 points in the NBA Finals against the Knicks, the most that he had ever scored in a Finals game. If it wasn’t for Chamberlain’s heroics in the final three games of the series against Phoenix, that never would’ve happened.

The rivalry spark between the Lakers and Suns was officially lit back in 1970. Phoenix’s Connie Hawkins, who would go on to play for Los Angeles from 1973 to 1974, and Wilt formed their own competition. That story has formed a new meaning 51 years later, as we all know, and to think that it all goes back to Wilt the Stilt.

Home/Lakers All-Time Lists