The buzzer beater is one of the most thrilling plays in basketball. It’s a shot that’s taken just before the game clock expires, and it can win or lose a game.
Over the years, there have been many memorable buzzer beaters in NBA history. Here are the top 10 buzzer beaters of all time:
| Rank | Player | Team | Year | Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls | 1989 | 5th game of the Eastern Conference First Round |
| 2 | John Stockton | Utah Jazz | 1987 | 5th game of the Western Conference First Round |
| 3 | Joe Dumars | Detroit Pistons | 1990 | 7th game of the Eastern Conference Finals |
| 4 | Reggie Miller | Indiana Pacers | 1995 | 1st game of the Eastern Conference Finals |
| 5 | Damian Lillard | Portland Trail Blazers | 2014 | 6th game of the Western Conference First Round |
| 6 | Kawhi Leonard | Toronto Raptors | 2019 | 4th game of the Eastern Conference Finals |
| 7 | Derek Fisher | Los Angeles Lakers | 2004 | 5th game of the Western Conference Semifinals |
| 8 | LeBron James | Cleveland Cavaliers | 2016 | 7th game of the NBA Finals |
| 9 | James Harden | Houston Rockets | 2017 | 7th game of the Western Conference Semifinals |
| 10 | Kawhi Leonard | Los Angeles Clippers | 2021 | 7th game of the Western Conference Finals |
These are just a few of the many memorable buzzer beaters in NBA history. These plays are always exciting, and they can have a major impact on the outcome of a game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the most famous buzzer beater in NBA history?
A: Michael Jordan’s buzzer beater in Game 5 of the 1989 Eastern Conference First Round is widely considered to be the most famous buzzer beater in NBA history.
Q: Who has the most buzzer beaters in NBA history?
A: Reggie Miller has the most buzzer beaters in NBA history, with 12.
Q: What is the longest buzzer beater in NBA history?
A: Damian Lillard’s buzzer beater in Game 6 of the 2014 Western Conference First Round is the longest buzzer beater in NBA history, traveling 63 feet.
Q: What is the shortest buzzer beater in NBA history?
A: Joe Dumars’ buzzer beater in Game 7 of the 1990 Eastern Conference Finals is the shortest buzzer beater in NBA history, traveling just 15 feet.
Q: What is the most recent buzzer beater in NBA history?
A: Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer beater in Game 7 of the 2021 Western Conference Finals is the most recent buzzer beater in NBA history.
Buzzer-Beater NBA Finals
A buzzer-beater in the NBA Finals occurs when a game-winning shot is made just as the game clock expires. These moments are etched in NBA history and provide some of the most memorable and dramatic finishes the league has ever seen. Some notable buzzer-beater shots in NBA Finals include:
- Ray Allen’s 3-pointer (2013): With 5.2 seconds left and the Miami Heat trailing the San Antonio Spurs 95-92 in Game 6, Ray Allen drained a corner three-pointer to tie the game and send it into overtime. Miami went on to win the game and eventually the series.
- Michael Jordan’s jumper (1998): In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, with 5.2 seconds remaining and the Chicago Bulls trailing the Utah Jazz 86-85, Michael Jordan hit a fadeaway jumper over Bryon Russell to secure the title for the Bulls.
- Magic Johnson’s layup (1987): With 3 seconds left and the Los Angeles Lakers tied with the Boston Celtics 107-107 in Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals, Magic Johnson stole the ball from Larry Bird and scored a layup to give the Lakers a 109-107 victory.
- Kobe Bryant’s buzzer-beater (2010): In Game 2 of the 2010 NBA Finals, with 4.6 seconds remaining and the Lakers trailing the Celtics 107-106, Kobe Bryant launched a 30-foot fadeaway jumper that swished through the net, giving the Lakers a 109-108 win.
Buzzer Beater Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard, the star point guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, is known for his incredible clutch performances, especially buzzer-beating shots. Here are some of his most memorable buzzer-beater moments:
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Game 6 of the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals: With the Blazers trailing the Denver Nuggets by one point and only 0.9 seconds remaining, Lillard pulled up from 37 feet and drained a miracle shot to send the game to overtime. Portland went on to win and advance to the Western Conference Finals.
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Regular season game against the Oklahoma City Thunder: In December 2019, Lillard faced off against his former teammate Paul George in a thrilling battle. The game was tied with less than a second left when Lillard drove to the rim and banked in a running floater as time expired.
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Regular season game against the New Orleans Pelicans: In February 2020, Lillard was at it again. With the Blazers down by two points and only 0.7 seconds remaining, he received a pass from CJ McCollum and launched a 60-foot shot that found the bottom of the net.
These are just a few examples of Damian Lillard’s incredible buzzer-beater skills. His ability to hit these shots under pressure has become legendary and has earned him the nickname "Dame Time."
Buzzer Beater Paul Pierce
Paul Pierce, a legendary NBA player known as "The Truth," etched his name into sports history with an iconic buzzer-beater shot in the 2008 NBA Finals. In Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers, with just 5.9 seconds remaining and the Celtics trailing by one point, Pierce received the inbounds pass and calmly drained a jumper over Kobe Bryant, securing a crucial victory for his team. The shot sent the Boston crowd into a frenzy and ultimately paved the way for the Celtics’ championship victory. Pierce’s buzzer-beater remains one of the most unforgettable moments in NBA history, showcasing his clutch play and unwavering determination.
Buzzer Beater: Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan, widely recognized as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, has etched his name into history with countless iconic moments. Among those moments, the buzzer beater shot against the Utah Jazz in the 1998 NBA Finals stands out as one of the most memorable.
On June 14, 1998, in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, the Chicago Bulls trailed the Jazz by one point with just 5.2 seconds remaining. Jordan received the ball at the top of the key and dribbled towards the lane, drawing attention from multiple defenders. With just seconds left, he pulled up and unleashed a fadeaway jump shot over the outstretched arm of Karl Malone. Time seemed to slow down as the ball arched towards the basket with the crowd holding its breath. In a dramatic climax, the ball swished through the net at the buzzer, giving the Bulls an 87-86 victory and securing their sixth NBA championship.
Buzzer Beater LeBron James
LeBron James, the NBA legend, has made several iconic buzzer-beating shots throughout his career. Here are some notable highlights:
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2007 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Game 5 (vs. Detroit Pistons): With the score tied at 109 and only seconds remaining, James drove to the basket and hit a game-winning layup over Rasheed Wallace.
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2012 NBA Finals, Game 2 (vs. Oklahoma City Thunder): This is arguably James’ most famous buzzer-beater. With the Heat trailing by 3 points, James received the ball in the corner from Chris Bosh and drained a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer to tie the game.
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2014 Eastern Conference Finals, Game 5 (vs. Indiana Pacers): With the series tied at 2-2, James hit a driving layup with 0.5 seconds remaining to give the Heat the win and a 3-2 series lead.
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2018 NBA Finals, Game 1 (vs. Golden State Warriors): James drained a go-ahead 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds left to give the Cavaliers a 119-116 victory in the opening game of the Finals.
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2020 NBA Finals, Game 5 (vs. Miami Heat): In a crucial Game 5 of the Finals, James hit a 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds remaining to give the Lakers a 106-103 win and a 3-2 series lead.
Buzzer Beater Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have a long and storied history of buzzer-beating moments. Most notably, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s series-clinching buzzer-beater against the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 Eastern Conference Finals. Other notable buzzer-beaters include Khris Middleton’s game-winner against the Brooklyn Nets in 2021 and Jrue Holiday’s game-tying shot against the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2020 NBA Finals. The Bucks’ ability to close out games with dramatic shots has been a key factor in their recent success, including their championship victory in 2021.
Buzzer Beater Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant, a legendary NBA player, made countless memorable plays throughout his career. One of his most iconic moments was the buzzer-beating shot against the Miami Heat in 2006. With the game tied at 99-99 and only seconds remaining, Bryant received the ball at the top of the key. He dribbled to his right, pulled up for a jumper, and released the ball just as the buzzer sounded. The shot soared through the air and swished through the net, giving the Lakers a hard-fought victory. This buzzer beater shot became a defining moment in Bryant’s career and is often cited as one of the most clutch shots in NBA history.
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