Game 7, 1968-69 NBA Finals
May 5, 1969 · The Forum, Inglewood, California
Game 7, 1968-69 NBA Finals: BCBoston Celtics 108–106 Los Angeles Lakers, at The Forum, Inglewood, California on May 5, 1969.
LA owner Jack Kent Cooke had thousands of balloons rigged in the Forum rafters for a title celebration that never happened; a Don Nelson jump shot bounced high off the back rim and dropped through late in the fourth quarter, and Boston held on 108-106 to take the title. Jerry West (42 points, 12 assists) was named Finals MVP despite playing for the losing team — the only time that's happened in NBA history.
Box score
| LALLos Angeles Lakers starters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
| Jerry West | 42 | 13 | 12 |
| Elgin Baylor | 20 | 15 | 7 |
| Wilt Chamberlain | 18 | 27 | 3 |
| Keith Erickson | 6 | 7 | 3 |
| Johnny Egan | 9 | 3 | 4 |
| BCBoston Celtics starters | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Player | PTS | REB | AST |
| John Havlicek | 26 | 9 | 5 |
| Bill Russell | 6 | 21 | 6 |
| Em Bryant | 20 | 5 | 3 |
| Sam Jones | 24 | 7 | 2 |
| Don Nelson | 16 | 6 | 2 |
Sources
Data last verified: 11 August 2026.
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