James Worthy

Cross-checked NBA and Lakers legends profiles, official classic-game film, championship retrospectives, franchise histories and records, verified archive box scores, and recurring fan discussion. In keeping with the consensus meaning of 'Big Game James,' the list is entirely postseason-based: it spans each of Worthy's three championship seasons, his singular Finals MVP masterpiece, a conference-finals career high, and the best individual scoring game of his Finals career.

1. #1. Worthy produced the only triple-double of his career—36 points, 16 rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals—in the 1988 Finals Game 7, securing the Lakers' repeat championship and his Finals MVP award. NBA classic: Worthy's 1988 Finals Game 7 · NBA Archive 75: James Worthy
2. #2. Worthy scored 28 points on 11-of-15 shooting with three assists and committed no fouls as Los Angeles won the 1985 title in Boston Garden, finally defeating the Celtics in the Finals after eight failed attempts. NBA legends profile: James Worthy · Lakers playoff history
3. #3. Worthy opened the 1987 Finals with 33 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists, and two steals in a 126–113 victory, helping Showtime seize control of its final championship series against Bird's Celtics. Lakers Hardwood Classics: 1987 NBA Finals · Lakers: 1987 redemption tour
4. #4. Worthy set a playoff career high with 39 points on 16-of-25 shooting, adding five assists and two steals as the Lakers escaped Seattle 122–121 and took a commanding 3–0 conference-finals lead. Lakers: 1987 redemption tour · NBA official Lakers–SuperSonics game
5. #5. With Magic Johnson and Byron Scott sidelined, Worthy scored a Finals-career-high 40 points on 17-of-26 shooting with three blocks in the 1989 finale, carrying an otherwise depleted defending champion to the end. NBA Archive 75: James Worthy · Lakers alumni profile: James Worthy

Reviewed through 2026-07-18