Most triple-doubles in NBA Finals history: LeBron James, Magic Johnson lead the way

Kyle Irving

Most triple-doubles in NBA Finals history: LeBron James, Magic Johnson lead the way image

It's only taken three games in the NBA Finals for Nikola Jokic to make his mark on the record books.

Jokic, who has been on another level throughout the playoffs, is averaging a triple-double and making a nightly habit of recording them. Jokic has surpassed Wilt Chamberlain (7) for the most triple-doubles in a single postseason with 10. No other player in the 2023 NBA Playoffs has more than one.

This postseason has seen Jokic climb all the way to No. 3 on the all-time playoffs triple-doubles list, passing playmaking greats like Russell Westbrook and Jason Kidd on the leaderboard.

Jokic has already recorded two triple-doubles in his first three NBA Finals appearances, jumping up a leaderboard that features a number of Hall of Famers. Who has the most triple-doubles in NBA Finals history? The two names at the top of the list probably shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

Who has the most triple-doubles in NBA Finals history?

LeBron James is the NBA's all-time leader with 11 triple-doubles in the Finals. Trailing him is another all-time great playmaker in Magic Johnson with eight.

Draymond Green has tallied three triple-doubles in the NBA Finals, while Nikola Jokic, Jimmy Butler, Larry Bird, Walt Frazier, Bob Cousy and Bill Russell all have two.

Rank Player Finals triple-doubles
1. LeBron James 11
2. Magic Johnson 8
3. Draymond Green 3
T-4. Nikola Jokic 2
  Jimmy Butler 2
  Larry Bird 2
  Walt Frazier 2
  Wilt Chamberlain 2
  Bob Cousy 2
  Bill Russell 2
T-10 12 players tied 1

The 12 players to record a single triple-double in the NBA Finals are Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Rajon Rondo, Jason Kidd, Tim Duncan, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, James Worthy, Dave Cowens, Wes Unseld, Jerry West and Elgin Baylor.

Most triple-doubles in NBA Playoffs history

Magic Johnson is the NBA's all-time leader for playoff triple-doubles with 30. James is right on his tail, registering 28 career playoff triple-doubles.

Jokic is now four clear of Russell Westbrook (12) — the NBA's all-time triple-double leader — in third place with 16. Jason Kidd ranks fifth with 11. Draymond Green, Rajon Rondo and Larry Bird are all tied for sixth with 10, rounding out the list of players to record at least 10 playoff triple-doubles.

Rank Player Playoff triple-doubles
1. Magic Johnson 30
2. LeBron James 28
3 Nikola Jokic 16
4 Russell Westbrook 12
5. Jason Kidd 11
6. Draymond Green 10
  Rajon Rondo 10
  Larry Bird 10
9. Wilt Chamberlain 9
10. Oscar Robertson 8

10 of Jokic's 16 playoff triple-doubles have come in the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.