From Michael Jordan to Damian Lillard, the history of the NBA playoffs has witnessed numerous path-breaking buzzer-beaters who have led their teams to shocking victories just before the game clock expired. The buzzer-beaters have undoubtedly dominated the opponent teams and shifted momentum in the NBA playoffs by making fate-changing shots at the end of a quarter, half, or more dramatically, sometimes at the end of the game, as well. Have you ever wondered about the most dominant buzzer beaters who have changed the course of tightly contested series and delivered the most unforgettable moments in the history of the NBA playoffs? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four buzzer-beaters in the history of NBA playoffs.
NBA: Top 4 Most Unforgettable Buzzer Beaters in Playoffs
Michael Jordan – Bulls vs. Cavaliers, 1989
Often popularly referred to as “MJ”, the legendary American former professional basketball player Michael Jordan is at the first spot in our list of the top four most memorable NBA buzzer-beaters who undoubtedly ruled the playoffs. Michael Jordan delivered the most sensational shot of his NBA career during game five of the 1989 Eastern Conference First Round between the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With a tied score of 2-2, the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers, it was perceived as the fate-deciding match for both teams. With three seconds remaining on the clock, the Bulls still had a chance to make a roaring comeback when Michael Jordan got the ball from his teammate Brad Sellers and took a shot in front of Cleveland’s defender Craig Ehlo just before the time ran out. Well, the shot struck right, the ball went in, and the Chicago Bulls ceased their spine-chilling 101-100 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
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Kawhi Leonard – Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 2019
At the second spot in our list of the top four buzzer-beaters in the history of the NBA playoffs, we have American professional basketball player, Kawhi Leonard, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Game seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals witnessed one of the most memorable and iconic clashes between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers.
The series was tied at a 3-3 score, making the match even more intense for both the teams and their ardent supporters. The match took an extremely dramatic turn as it got tied at 90-90 with just 4.2 seconds left on the clock. Well, just when things seemed to be getting hard for the Raptors, Kawhi Leonard took the ball on the right side of the court and fearlessly dribbled it towards the corner and took a fadeaway shot. Shockingly, the ball dropped into the basket, advancing the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals, and later, they won the NBA Championship—their first ever.
Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers vs. Houston Rockets, 2014
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four buzzer beaters who changed the course of the NBA playoffs for their respective teams, we have the legendary American professional basketball player, Damian Lamonte Ollie Lillard Sr. also popularly referred to as “Dame Time”. After leading the series 3-2, the Portland Trail Blazers took on the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs in 2014.
Shockingly, the Houston Rockets took the lead, bringing the score to 98-96 with just 0.9 seconds remaining on the clock. With less than a second remaining in their hands, the Trail Blazers left no stone unturned and Nicolas Batum inbounded the ball to Damian Lillard, who instantly launched a deep three-pointer over Rockets defender Chandler Parsons. Adding an unparalleled dose of drama to the game, the buzzer sounded while the ball was still in the air. Well, the ball went straight into the net and led the Portland Trail Blazers to their first-ever playoff series since 2000, ending the unfortunate 14-year-long drought.
LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic, 2009
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four most memorable NBA buzzer-beaters who undoubtedly ruled the playoffs, we have the iconic American professional basketball player, LeBron James, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA).
With a tied series count of 1-1, Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals witnessed a spine-chilling showdown between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic. Although both times breathed fire, the match still came to a shocking tied score of 95-95 with just three seconds remaining on the clock. Often popularly referred to as “James King”, Cavaliers’ LeBron James took the ball from the baseline after a timeout and dribbled it to the top of the arc. With only a second remaining on the clock, LeBron James pulled up for a three-pointer right in front of the three-point line, securing a sensational victory for the Cavaliers.
