The NBA playoffs have provided fans with a plethora of highlights over the years. They are clutch moments played out on the game's biggest stages. In this piece, we'll take a look back at the greatest shots in NBA playoffs history.
10- John Stockton sends Jazz to 1997 NBA Finals
With the outstanding duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone, the Jazz were viewed as one of the best teams of the 90's. The pair was seeking their first trip to the NBA Finals, but the Houston Rockets stood in their path.
In Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals, the Rockets left Stockton open on the perimeter, and he made them pay. Utah would go on to be defeated by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in the Finals.
9- Robert Horry vs. Kings (2002 WCF)
Ah, yes… “Big Shot Bob,” as Horry has come to be known. A savvy marksman, Robert has hit several clutch shots over the course of his career. It's also worth noting that he's been a part of seven championship-winning teams.
In the 2002 Western Conference Finals, Horry and his Lakers squared off against Chris Webber and the Sacramento Kings. These were prime Kobe Bryant days, and many view this series as one of the greatest ever.
The Kings were looking to take a 3-1 series lead back home to Sacramento, but Horry saved the day with an open three from the top of the arc:
8- Damian Lillard vs. Rockets (2014 first round)
Damian Lillard is another player who possesses the clutch gene. The former Weber State standout was pitted against James Harden and the Rockets in the first round of the 2014 Western Conference Playoffs. For a bit of perspective, Portland hadn't been to the second round since 2000.
Though the Rockets were a solid team, the Blazers took a 3-2 series lead back home. Game 6 was hard-fought, and in the finals seconds, Lillard knocked down one of most memorable shots of his career.
7- Magic Johnson's hook vs. Celtics (1987 Finals)
The Lakers and Celtics have long been rivals. As it stands today, Los Angeles has 16 championships to their credit. However, Boston still holds the most with 17.
On a more personal level, the rivalry that grew between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in the NBA playoffs became the stuff of legend in the 1980's. During their careers, the Lakers and Celtics played in the Finals three times, with Los Angeles winning two of those meetings.
In Game 4 of the 1987 NBA Finals, Magic pushed the Lakers ahead 3-1 in their series against the Celtics with a beautiful running hook. Boston actually held a one-point advantage, but Johnson managed to push his team ahead. Three defenders came to him, but it didn't matter.
6- John Paxson seals Bulls' 3-peat
Most Bulls fans revere Michael Jordan as the greatest athlete to have ever dribbled a basketball. As great as he was, His Airness still needed help from his teammates at times.
Enter John Paxson…
Chicago had just won back-to-back titles in '91 and '92. Looking to defend their crown, the Bulls led the Phoenix Suns, 3-2, in the 1993 Finals. With time running out in Game 6, Horace Grant found an open Paxson, who proceeded to knock down an open three.
5- Kawhi Leonard vs. 76ers (2019)
In Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals, Kawhi Leonard put up a shot from the corner that left fans on the edge of their seats.
The game was tied at 90 points apiece with just under three seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Leonard received an inbound pass, then proceeded to dribble around defenders as he made his way to the corner. Though Sixers big man Joel Embiid had a hand in his face, Kawhi managed to knock down a shot that eventually led to the Raptors' first championship as they maneuvered through the NBA playoffs.
After bouncing precariously on the rim several times, the ball finally fell through the net:
4- Kyrie Irving vs. Warriors (2016 Finals)
Cavs fans hold three plays from the 2016 NBA Finals close to their hearts: Kevin Love's defensive stand on the perimeter, LeBron James' block, and Kyrie Irving's shot.
With less than a minute to play in Game 7 and the score tied at 89 points apiece, Irving got the matchup he was looking for. A screen at the top of the arc from J.R. Smith led to a defensive switch, leaving Curry with the ardent task of guarding Kyrie one-on-one.
Irving dribbled back and forth a few times in an attempt to lull Curry into a defensive lapse. The strategy created some separation, but not enough to write home about. Steph was still there, but Kyrie's shot fell.
Without Irving's shot over the outstretched hand of Curry, the Cavs may not have went on to claim their first championship.
3- Ray Allen vs. Spurs
Allen has always been known as a cold-blooded sniper from the perimeter. This aspect of his game was on full display in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals.
Trailing the Spurs 3-2 in the series, Miami was in a bit of trouble. With 15 seconds remaining in Game 6, the Heat were facing defeat, trailing by three. LeBron had a clean look from deep early in the possession, but his shot wouldn't fall. Chris Bosh grabbed the loose rebound, then sent the ball out to Allen, who was waiting in the corner.
Allen's shot scorched the net, tying the game at 95. The Heat would go on to win in overtime. And with this momentum, Miami would claim their second championship in the LeBron James era.
2- Michael Jordan “The Shot” vs. Cavs
Though he and his Bulls later became a dominant force in the Eastern Conference during the 90's, there were a few teams that gave Jordan a run for his money in the early stages of his career in the NBA playoffs.
One such team was the Cleveland Cavaliers — a team that sent out great players like Mark Price and Brad Daugherty. In fact, the Cavs actually defeated the Bulls in all six of their regular season matchups during the 1988-89 season. However, Jordan sent Cleveland home in crushing fashion in Game 5 of their first-round playoff matchup.
1- MJ's last shot with the Bulls
On June 14, 1998, Jordan knocked down his most memorable shot, giving the Bulls a Game 6 win over the Utah Jazz and a sixth NBA championship in eight years.
With roughly 20 seconds remaining and his Bulls trailing by one point, Jordan came away with a steal, then made his way towards the other end of the court. A few more seconds passed before Michael dealt Bryon Russell a nasty crossover, sending him to the floor.
Jordan rose up just beyond the elbow and buried an open jumper — his last shot with Chicago. He finished the game with a whopping 45 points.
“I think it was a very defining moment of what my career was in Chicago,” Jordan once said of his final shot.
Making a list of the greatest plays in NBA playoffs history is a tall order, as there are so many to choose from. Other great moments not mentioned in this list include Allen Iverson stepping over Tyronn Lue and Derek Fisher's game-winning shot against the Spurs.
So, what do you think of this list that consists of some of the greatest shots in NBA playoffs history?
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