The Most Unforgettable Moments in NBA Playoff History
The NBA playoffs are where pressure builds, rivalries flare, and careers shift in an instant. These plays and performances live on long after the final buzzer. Here’s a look at 15 unforgettable playoff moments that still spark debates, highlights, and chills.
Ray Allen’s Corner Three Saved the Heat
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Game 6 of the 2013 Finals looked lost. However, after a missed LeBron three, Chris Bosh grabbed the board and kicked it to Ray Allen, who backpedaled straight into history. His cold-blooded corner three tied it up and forced overtime. Miami went on to win the game and the series.
LeBron’s Block Sealed a Title
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With Game 7 of the 2016 Finals tied late, Andre Iguodala raced toward an easy layup. Then LeBron James chased him down and pinned the shot off the glass with perfect timing. Cleveland would go on to win its first-ever title, and “The Block” became one of LeBron’s defining highlights.
Magic Johnson Took Over as a Rookie
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Before he became Magic, he did this: 42 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, all in a must-win Finals game—as a rookie. With Kareem injured, Johnson played every position, including center. The 20-year-old made Lakers history and set a tone for the dynasty to come.
Kawhi’s Buzzer-Beater Bounced Into History
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In 2019, the Raptors and Sixers were tied in a tense Game 7. Kawhi Leonard took the inbounds pass and fired over Joel Embiid. The shot hit the rim four times, then dropped. The buzzer-beater sent the Raptors past Philly and eventually to their first-ever championship.
“The Shot” That Started It All for Jordan
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Michael Jordan’s 1989 buzzer-beater over Craig Ehlo is simply known as “The Shot.” With the Bulls trailing by one and three seconds left, Jordan ended it. That play won the series against the Cavaliers and marked the beginning of Jordan’s run as the NBA’s most feared closer.
Damian Lillard Waved Goodbye to OKC
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In Game 5, 2019, Damian Lillard had already scored 47 points, and the game was tied with seconds left. While dribbling just inside the half-court logo, he pulled up and nailed a 37-foot three over Paul George. As the buzzer sounded, Lillard waved to the Thunder bench.
Iverson Stepped Over Lue in Game 1
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In the 2001 Finals, Allen Iverson torched the Lakers for 48 points in Game 1, all while shocking a heavily favored squad. Yet the lasting moment came late in overtime. After hitting a jumper over Tyronn Lue, Iverson stepped over the fallen defender and strutted away.
Kyrie’s Clutch Three Closed the Deal
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The 2016 Finals were knotted at 89 with just over a minute to go in Game 7. Kyrie Irving took on Steph Curry one-on-one and drilled a three-pointer from the right wing. This shot finally gave Cleveland its title, and Kyrie earned a permanent spot in playoff history.
Klay’s Game 6 Eruption Changed Everything
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Down 3-2 to the Thunder in the 2016 Western Conference Finals, Golden State needed a miracle, and Klay Thompson delivered. He hit 11 threes—an NBA playoff record at the time—and dropped 41 points to force Game 7. The Warriors would win the series and reach the Finals.
LeBron Silenced Boston With 45
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In 2012, Miami was one loss away from elimination against the Celtics. LeBron James responded with one of the most focused games of his career—45 points, 15 rebounds, five assists. He barely cracked a smile the entire night. The Heat won Game 6, then the series, then the championship.
Reggie Miller Scored 8 in 9 Seconds
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Madison Square Garden was loud—until Reggie Miller got involved. In 1995, with under 20 seconds left, he put up 8 points in 9 seconds: two threes, a steal, and a pair of free throws. Knicks fans were stunned, and it remains one of the wildest endings in playoff memory.
Durant’s Dagger Over LeBron Was a Shift
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In 2017, Kevin Durant’s Game 3 dagger changed the balance of power. With under a minute left and the Warriors up by two, he pulled up and drained a three in LeBron’s face. The shot gave Golden State a 3-0 series lead and all but guaranteed Durant’s first ring.
Isaiah Thomas Played Through Heartbreak
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Isaiah Thomas played some of the best basketball of his career in the 2017 playoffs—all while grieving his sister’s sudden passing. On what would have been her birthday, he scored 53 points in a Game 2 win over the Wizards.
Kobe to Shaq for the Lob
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Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals saw the Lakers erase a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit against Portland. The defining play involved Kobe Bryant slicing through defenders and lobbing the ball to Shaquille O’Neal for a two-handed slam.
The Kings-Lakers Officiating Controversy
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Ask any Kings fan about Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference Finals and you’ll hear one word: robbery. Questionable calls piled up in the fourth quarter and swung momentum to the Lakers. They won the game, then the series, but many felt the Kings had been robbed.