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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
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SI Staff

In Photos: Sports Illustrated at the NBA Finals

NBA Finals the NBA Finals Greg Nelson Larry Bird Boston Celtics Game 3 Philadelphia 76ers
Celtics Hall of Famer Larry Bird goes up for a shot during the 1987 NBA Finals. | Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated

Sports Illustrated has covered countless NBA Finals in its 70-plus years of existence.

As the 2025 NBA Finals tip off with Game 1 between the Western Conference champion Oklahoma City Thunder and the Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers on Thursday, let's take a look back at some of the most memorable images taken by SI's photographers during the NBA Finals over the decades.

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