NBA Finals: Regular Season Toppers Unable to Win Larry O’Brien Trophy in Championship Series
The 2025 NBA Finals are now down to one game – Game 7. Two of the sweetest words in basketball are with players, coaches and even fans giving it all for the 48 minutes of action. The Top seed, OKC, was the outright favorite from game 1, while the Pacers had their incredible run, playing the dark horse role in nearly every series. Can they topple the best-performing side of the NBA 2024-25 season?
Well, it’s a possibility and not new in the NBA. There are teams that have created record-winning streaks in the NBA finals against the top-seeded sides. There are three instances in NBA history where the top-ranked side reached the final stage, but couldn’t lift the Larry O’Brien trophy. Here are the top sides that lost in the NBA Finals.
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NBA Finals Upsets: Top Seeds That Couldn’t Seal the Deal
| Estación | Top Regular-Season Team (Record) | Finals Result | Adversario | Key Star Performance(s) |
| 1996–97 | Utah Jazz (64–18) | Lost 2–4 | Toros de Chicago | Michael Jordan: Finals MVP, averaged ~32 PPG, clutch performances; Scottie Pippen: All-around excellence |
| 2015–16 | Golden State Warriors (73–9) | Lost 3–4 | Cavaliers de Cleveland | LeBron James: Dominant 27–11–5, Finals MVP; Kyrie Irving: Game 7 dagger |
| 1992–93 | Phoenix Suns (62–20) | Lost 2–4 | Toros de Chicago | Michael Jordan: Averaged 41 PPG in Finals; Bulls’ supporting cast stepped up |
1996–97 Utah Jazz (64–18) vs. Chicago Bulls
Despite a stellar 64–18 record, the Jazz fell 4–2 to the Bulls. The difference: Michael Jordan, who delivered iconic moments and efficient scoring, backed by Scottie Pippen’s all-around dominance. Utah’s balanced attack couldn’t withstand Chicago’s legendary clutch performance.
2015–16 Golden State Warriors (73–9) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Golden State shattered the single-season wins record at 73–9, but LeBron James and Kyrie Irving engineered an epic Game 7 comeback. James earned Finals MVP thanks to his all-around efficiency and leadership, while Irving’s step-back three erased Stephen Curry’s legacy-setting run.
1992–93 Phoenix Suns (62–20) vs. Chicago Bulls
Led by MVP Charles Barkley, Phoenix finished 62–20. But in the Finals, Michael Jordan again dominated, averaging over 40 PPG and shutting down Barkley. Chicago’s supporting cast improved during the series, handing the Suns their second consecutive Finals loss.
Regular season excellence does put the side in control – they are positive about the results, have momentum in the series, have formed great chemistry throughout the year, and players are performing at the peak. But the above three best examples highlight that it does not always result in a championship. Star-driven playoff narratives often override regular-season dominance.
The postseason dramas and even the NBA Finals series are the epitome of the season – the games that widely define the franchise’s future and the overall year. Performances in the moment earn them titles and greater success.
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