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The Oklahoma City Thunder face the San Antonio Spurs Saturday night in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line. If Oklahoma City were to make it, it'd mark former Duke guard Jared McCain's first finals appearance after a midseason trade from Philadelphia. If San Antonio were to prevail, four-year Duke center Mason Plumlee would make his first championship appearance in his 13th NBA season.
Considering this Game 7 has historic implications, let's look back at the greatest Game 7 performances from Duke alumni in recent history.
Paolo Banchero has played in two first-round Game 7s as a member of the Orlando Magic, scoring 38 points in each. Unfortunately for Banchero and the Magic, they lost both of them, including this year's Game 7 defeat to the Detroit Pistons. Banchero's stats were a bit better in 2024 when he tallied 38 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block against the Cavaliers.
Kyrie Irving has only played in one Game 7 during his career, but it's safe to say the former Blue Devil made it count. In the 2018 NBA Finals, Irving knocked down a clutch 3-pointer over Warriors point guard Stephen Curry with 53 seconds remaining to give Cleveland a 92-89 lead. On the night, Irving finished with 26 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal. Cleveland would go on to win 93-89, securing the Cavaliers their first NBA championship in franchise history. If this list ranked the most meaningful Game 7s from Duke alumni, this performance would undoubtedly place first.
At age 28, Jayson Tatum has already appeared in seven career Game 7s, not counting the one he missed in the 2026 NBA playoffs due to injury. Of those seven contests, Tatum's strongest output came in 2023 during the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 76ers. Tatum was on fire throughout, scoring 51 points on 17-for-28 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals. The Celtics would go on to advance but fall to the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Top-three Game 7s from Duke alums in recent NBA history
Continue reading...
Considering this Game 7 has historic implications, let's look back at the greatest Game 7 performances from Duke alumni in recent history.
3. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 2024
Paolo Banchero has played in two first-round Game 7s as a member of the Orlando Magic, scoring 38 points in each. Unfortunately for Banchero and the Magic, they lost both of them, including this year's Game 7 defeat to the Detroit Pistons. Banchero's stats were a bit better in 2024 when he tallied 38 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, three steals and one block against the Cavaliers.
2. Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors 2016
Kyrie Irving has only played in one Game 7 during his career, but it's safe to say the former Blue Devil made it count. In the 2018 NBA Finals, Irving knocked down a clutch 3-pointer over Warriors point guard Stephen Curry with 53 seconds remaining to give Cleveland a 92-89 lead. On the night, Irving finished with 26 points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal. Cleveland would go on to win 93-89, securing the Cavaliers their first NBA championship in franchise history. If this list ranked the most meaningful Game 7s from Duke alumni, this performance would undoubtedly place first.
1. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers 2023
At age 28, Jayson Tatum has already appeared in seven career Game 7s, not counting the one he missed in the 2026 NBA playoffs due to injury. Of those seven contests, Tatum's strongest output came in 2023 during the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the 76ers. Tatum was on fire throughout, scoring 51 points on 17-for-28 shooting to go along with 13 rebounds, five assists and two steals. The Celtics would go on to advance but fall to the Miami Heat in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
This article originally appeared on Duke Wire: Top-three Game 7s from Duke alums in recent NBA history
Continue reading...
