A list of players with the most consecutive NBA finals appearances

A list of players with the most consecutive NBA finals appearances

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:16 PM

To reach an NBA final and help the team clinch the title may be a dream for many NBA players. The sport's history has seen many players reach that level of triumph more than once, and some have done it, often making a final appearance somewhat become regular for them. So, who are these players with the most consecutive NBA finals appearances?

most consecutive NBA championships player
A list of players with the most consecutive NBA finals appearances. Photo: Henrik Sorensen (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Should there be a discussion about the most consecutive NBA finals appearances by a team, it will nearly be impossible to do that without including these two prestigious teams, Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. This article finds the player with the most consecutive NBA finals appearances.

Which player has the most consecutive NBA finals appearances?

According to recent data analysis, every player in the list below has their name in the history of the Eastern Conference, except for LeBron James. The latter is still feeding his resume of the basketball pitch. All the other players had their careers successful and are currently retired.

10. Tom Sanders

most consecutive NBA championships player
Former Boston Celtics player and coach Tom Sanders departs from the funeral of John Havlicek inside the Trinity Church in Boston's Copley Square on 23 May 2019. Photo: Jim Davis
Source: Getty Images

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Also known as Satch Sanders, Tom was among the most underrated Boston legends. After playing at New York University, he spent 13 seasons of his career in the NBA with the Boston Celtics, having won eight NBA titles from 1961 to 1966, 1968, and 1969.

Date of birth

8 November 1938

Position

Power Forward

Team

Boston Celtics (1960-1973)

Appearances

8

Finals won

8

Consecutive finals

6

9. KC Jones

Which player has the most consecutive NBA finals appearances
Head coach KC Jones of the Seattle Supersonics looks on against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1991 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

And while most of his fans thought that his name, KC, stood for some particular thing, it did not, as it was his birth name. The guard received a scholarship from the University of San Francisco and became a roommate with the professional basketball player Bill Russell.

In this case, Bill's success could have been contagious as the two roommates happen to be in consecutive finals appearances NBA players' list.

Date of birth

25 May 1932

Position

Point Guard

Team

Boston Celtics (1958-1967)

Appearances

8

Finals won

8

Consecutive finals

7

8. John Havlicek

what NBA player has been to the most consecutive finals
John Havlicek of the Boston Celtics in action against the Washington Bullets during a game circa 1977 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Photo: Focus on
Source: Getty Images

At this point, Bill Russel has been a good mentor as he was also mates with John Havlicek, who won eight championship titles, four of which came in the first four seasons. Following his success in those seasons, he rose to stardom, making him one of only four players to share the story.

Therefore, if you come across a question like, what NBA player has been to the most consecutive finals? You should not be surprised that Havlicek could top the list.

Date of birth

8 April 1940

Position

Shooting Guard / Small Forward

Team

Boston Celtics (1962-1978)

Appearances

8

Finals won

8

Consecutive finals

4

7. Jerry West

consecutive finals appearances NBA player
Jerry West attends a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Houston Rockets at Crypto.com Arena on 31 October 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Allen Berezovsky
Source: Getty Images

If there is one player who is a true example whose depth of success cannot be fathomed with the number of championship titles, it sure is Jerry West. He gradually found his way into the All-NBA First and Second Teams and got elected four times.

In 1972, his fame skyrocketed, and it was seemingly one of the best moments in his career as he became the All-Star MVP and won the only championship title that year.

Date of birth

28 May 1938

Position

Point Guard / Shooting Guard

Team

Los Angeles Lakers (1960-1974)

Appearances

9

Finals won

1

Consecutive finals

3

6. LeBron James

most consecutive NBA finals appearances by team
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James makes a face during the NBA game against the Los Angeles Clippers on 9 November 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. Photo: Jevone Moore
Source: Getty Images

At the sixth position sits the famous LeBron James. Today, it is so evident that when a topic of successful basketball players comes about, there is no way that LeBron's name would miss.

But his skills on the basketball pitch are often unmatched. However, as of 2022, spectators still have to wait to know if all these positive aspects will lead to more of LeBron James' consecutive finals in the promising future.

Date of birth

30 December 1984

Position

Power Forward / Small Forward

Team

Cleveland Cavaliers (2003-2010, 2014-2018), Miami Heat (2010-2014), Los Angeles Lakers (2018-Present)

Appearances

9

Finals won

3

Consecutive finals

7

5. Magic Johnson

player with the most consecutive NBA finals appearances
Magic Johnson attends a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans at Crypto.com Arena on 2 November 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Allen Berezovsky
Source: Getty Images

Today, numerous stories describe how Magic Johnson managed to break into fame while in the Lakers. One of his memorable kingpin moments was when he played in 9 NBA Finals from 1980 to 1991.

Before retirement, the 5-time champion enjoyed the peak of his success and glory from 1980 to 1988. No wonder he makes it among the top 5 on the list.

Date of birth

14 August 1959

Position

Point Guard

Team

Los Angeles Lakers (1979-1991, 1996)

Appearances

9

Finals won

5

Consecutive finals

7

4. Tom Heinsohn

Which player has the most consecutive NBA finals appearances
Tom Heinsohn of the Boston Celtics in action drives during a mid-circa 1960's NBA basketball game at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

Before Tom Heinsohn came into the limelight, he played in the NCAA for the Holy Cross Crusaders, which at that time were one of the best college teams in his country. In the 1956 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics then selected him.

Following his selection, he became the team's top scorer from 1960 to 1962. Consequently, his teammates dubbed him Tommy Gun as he was an accomplished shooter at the time.

Date of birth

26 August 1934

Position

Power Forward

Team

Boston Celtics (1956-1965)

Appearances

9

Finals won

8

Consecutive finals

9

3. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

what NBA player has been to the most consecutive finals
Former basketball player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar during an interview on 20 June 2022. Photo: Todd Owyoung
Source: Getty Images

At the third position sits Kareem Abdul, whose name appears on various lists highlighting the most significant or the best NBA players of all time. 19 All-Star games, six MVPs, and six championships are all his achievements throughout his career as a basketball player over two decades.

Date of birth

16 April 1947

Position

Center

Team

Milwaukee Bucks (1969-1975), Los Angeles Lakers (1975-1989)

Appearances

10

Finals won

6

Consecutive finals

7

2. Sam Jones

most consecutive NBA championships player
Former NBA legend Sam Jones attends the 19th annual Harold and Carole Pump Foundation Gala at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on 9 August 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Michael Tullberg
Source: Getty Images

The legendary professional player had no prior plans of breaking into the basketball scene as he was passionate about being a teacher. When the Celtics coach Red Auerbach drafted him, he was expected to get any playing time behind the regulars.

However, Sam Jones perfected his shot with the help of the board, which ultimately became his trademark. By the time he retired, he had already snatched his place among the most NBA titles and NBA finals appearances.

Date of birth

24 June 1933

Position

Shooting Guard

Team

Boston Celtics (1957-1969)

Appearances

11

Finals won

10

Consecutive finals

9

1. Bill Russell

consecutive finals appearances NBA player
Former president Barack Obama presents Basketball Hall of Fame member and human rights advocate Russell in the East Room of the White House 15 February 2011 in Washington, DC. Photo: Chip Somodevilla
Source: Getty Images

For starters, Bill Russel, Wilt Chamberlain's pitch rival, does not have enough fingers to put all his 11 rings on. The professional legend was voted Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine.

It has been decades since his retirement, but no NBA player has still broken his record of the most NBA titles. His fans are concretely assured that his record will seemingly not be broken any time soon.

Date of birth

12 February 1934

Position

Center

Team

Boston Celtics

Appearances

12

Finals won

11

Consecutive finals

10

Which team has the most NBA finals appearances?

The Los Angeles Lakers have made the most NBA finals appearances. Additionally, they have contested for it several times and made 32 total appearances. They made the most appearances in 2020.

This list consists of specific players with the most consecutive NBA finals appearances. It does not, however, insinuate that other NBA players like Kobe, Shaquille, and Durant, among others, are less legendary than they are. These are just some of those who are recognised for having the most consecutive NBA championships.

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Authors
Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.