The NBA Finals, one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year, follow a straightforward format-but it has taken decades to arrive at its current structure.
Since the league’s earliest days in the 1940s, the playoff series format has undergone numerous tweaks before settling into the familiar best-of-seven model we know today.
In 1947, the league-then known as the Basketball Association of America – held its first Finals between Philadelphia and Chicago, with the Philadelphia Warriors winning the series 4-1. Back then, only 11 teams competed, and early playoff rounds included best-of-three series.
Over time, however, the league moved toward longer series across all rounds, culminating in today’s uniform best-of-seven structure.
Three teams from that original season-the Warriors, Celtics, and Knicks-remain part of the league’s fabric, and they’ve each played pivotal roles in shaping the playoff landscape.
The rise of the best-of-seven format
The idea of extending playoff series was primarily driven by commercial incentives. More games meant more revenue – particularly from home court ticket sales and broadcast rights.
The first shift occurred in 1955, when Division Finals expanded to best-of-five. By 1958, these series transitioned to best-of-seven.
The rest of the playoff structure followed, and by 1968, every round used the current best-of-seven format.
Take the Golden State Warriors in a recent playoff run: nine home games netted them $100 million in revenue.
Each of the first two rounds brought in $7 million per home game, the Conference Finals added another $18 million total, and at least two guaranteed Finals games were worth $15 million each.
It’s easy to see why the league-and its franchises-embraced longer series.
How the Finals are structured in 2025
The NBA Finals, like the other playoff rounds, use a 2-2-1-1-1 format. The team with the better regular-season record hosts Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 (if necessary), while the opponent gets Games 3, 4 and 6 at home.
This format was reinstated in 2014 after nearly three decades of the 2-3-2 structure, which had been introduced in 1985 to reduce travel time between games.
Game 7 has become a dramatic staple of NBA postseason lore. In total, 145 Game 7s have been played across all playoff rounds, with only six going into overtime – and just one needing double overtime.
Interestingly, the road team has only won 34 of those 145 high-stakes games.
Some years have even ended without the tension of a Game 7. In 1994, 2014, and 2016, the Finals were decided without the need for a sixth game.
Historically, the Lakers and Knicks have each recorded the most Game 7 wins in a single postseason-both notching three in 1988 and 1994, respectively.
The 2025 NBA Finals will follow this same time-tested format, maintaining a balance between competitive fairness and the league’s business interests.
Whether fans get a quick 4-0 sweep or the drama of a Game 7, the structure ensures every championship run is earned under consistent rules.
Read the full article here
