Dennis Johnson

Cross-checked NBA, SuperSonics, Celtics, and opponent histories, official Finals archives, league records, Hall of Fame coverage, and recurring historical discussion. The list centers Johnson's unusual combination of championship shot-making and guard defense: his Seattle Finals MVP peak leads, followed by the defining Boston winner and the two-way performances that connect all three of his championships.

1. #1. Johnson erupted for 32 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks as Seattle survived Washington 114–112 in overtime in 1979 Finals Game 4, taking a 3–1 lead with the signature performance of his Finals MVP series. NBA: 1979 Finals Game 4 classic · NBA: Dennis Johnson legends profile · NBA official Bullets–SuperSonics Game 4 box score
2. #2. Johnson amassed 27 points, seven rebounds, 12 assists, two steals, and two blocks before hitting Larry Bird's pass for a baseline jumper at the buzzer, giving Boston a 107–105 road win in 1985 Finals Game 4. NBA: Dennis Johnson's 1985 Finals buzzer-beater · NBA official Celtics–Lakers Game 4 box score
3. #3. Johnson scored 21 points with five assists, two steals, and a block as Seattle won 97–93 in Washington in 1979 Finals Game 5, clinching the only championship in SuperSonics history and completing his Finals MVP run. NBA: Dennis Johnson legends profile · NBA official SuperSonics–Bullets Game 5 box score
4. #4. Johnson delivered 22 points and 14 assists over 50 minutes as Boston won 129–125 in overtime at Los Angeles in 1984 Finals Game 4, evening the series after Kevin McHale's famous hard foul changed its emotional course. NBA official Celtics–Lakers Game 4 box score · NBA: Dennis Johnson legends profile
5. #5. In just his second NBA season, Johnson blocked seven shots—the enduring Finals single-game record for a guard—and added 12 points as Seattle edged Washington 93–92 on the road in 1978 Finals Game 3. NBA official SuperSonics–Bullets Game 3 box score · Wizards: history of the 1978 Finals

Reviewed through 2026-07-18