Who has the most triple doubles in NBA Finals history?
By Scott Rogust
The 2023 NBA Finals begins with the Denver Nuggets facing the Miami Heat. Given the rich history of the Finals, which player has the most triple-doubles?
The NBA Finals have presented moments in which legends are born and dynasties are solidified. In 2023, the NBA has two teams remaining in the Miami Heat and Denver Nuggets vying for the coveted Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The Heat are looking to win the NBA title for the fourth time, while the Nuggets are looking for their first.
One of the big stars of this series is Nikola Jokic, the two-time NBA MVP who has been nearly impossible to stop. In this run alone, Jokic recorded eight triple-doubles. So, it feels inevitable that he will notch some triple-doubles in the Finals.
When it comes to NBA Finals history, who has the most triple-doubles ever?
Who has the most triple-doubles in NBA Finals history?
The player with the most triple-doubles in NBA Finals history is none other than LeBron James, who has 11.
Before James, the record was previously held by Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who recorded eight.
Below are the stats for every NBA Finals game in that James recorded a triple-double:
- 2011, Game 5 vs. Dallas Mavericks: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists
- 2012, Game 5 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder: 26 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists
- 2013, Game 1 vs. San Antonio Spurs: 18 points, 18 rebounds, 10 assists
- 2013, Game 6 vs. San Antonio Spurs: 32 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists
- 2015, Game 2 vs. Golden State Warriors: 39 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists
- 2015, Game 5 vs. Golden State Warriors: 40 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists
- 2016, Game 7 vs. Golden State Warriors: 27 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists
- 2017, Game 2 vs. Golden State Warriors: 29 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists
- 2017, Game 4 vs. Golden State Warriors: 41 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists
- 2018, Game 3 vs. Golden State Warriors: 33 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists
- 2020, Game 6 vs. Miami Heat: 28 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists
James got to that point after making it to the Finals 10 times as a player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Lakers Johnson, meanwhile, earned a spot in the Finals nine times, all of which were with the Lakers.
It will remain to be seen if any player matches James’ triple-doubles in the NBA Finals, let alone get near that range.