2023-05-29 07:00:00
Derrick White led the Boston Celtics into a Game 7 once morest the Miami Heat with a crazy game winner. His throw is already one of the iconic moments in NBA history. We’ve compiled the 30 biggest playoff throws.
The NBA playoffs at a glance: when do the finals start?
First of all: It is impossible to create an objective ranking. Criteria for the ranking were: Was the litter memorable? What were the circumstances? What were the possible effects? How hard was the throw?
All of this went into the assessment. Before we start, there are a few more litters that didn’t make the list:
Platz 30: DAMIAN LILLARD (2014)
- Portland Trail Blazers – Houston Rockets 99:98 (Game 6, First Round)
James Harden failed in his first two seasons with the Rockets in round one of the playoffs – in 2014 this was mainly due to Damian Lillard. In Game 6 he sank Houston with an incredible dagger – it shouldn’t have been his last.
26th place: EDDIE JOHNSON (1997)
- Houston Rockets – Utah Jazz 95:92 (Spiel 4, Conference Finals)
Using a buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 1997 Conference Finals once morest the Jazz Johnson made himself immortal among Rockets fans. However, the series went to the Jazz, who then lost to MJ in the finals.
Platz 25: LUKA DONCIC (2020)
- Dallas Mavericks – LA Clippers 135:133 OT (Game 4, First Round)
After that game, the whole NBA world understood that Luka Doncic is a problem. Almost single-handedly, the Slovenian won Game 4 once morest the big favorites from LA with a stat line of 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists. The game winner with his signature move was just the icing on the cake.
22nd place: JOHN STOCKTON (1997)
- Houston Rockets – Utah Jazz 100:103 (Spiel 6, Conference Finals)
With 2.8 seconds left on the clock, Stockton got the Spalding in the open. A short time later it made “Swish” and the Jazz were in the finals for the first time.
Platz 20: DERRICK WHITE (2023)
- Miami Heat – Boston Celtics 103:104 (Spiel 6, Conference Finals)
The white winner was almost a copy of the Artest hit. The difference? The impact was greater. With his putback he saved the Celtics’ season and Boston still has a chance to become the first team in history to reverse a 0-3 deficit. It was only the second buzzerbeater following a deficit that prevented their own team from being eliminated. On the other hand we still come…
Platz 19: MARIO ELIE (1995)
- Phoenix Suns – Houston Rockets 114:115 (Spiel 7, Conference Semifinals)
This litter went down in history as the “Kiss of Death”. Elie sank the game winner in Game 7 once morest the Suns with 7.1 seconds left and then celebrated with a hand kiss to the crowd.
Platz 18: JOHN PAXSON (1993)
Phoenix Suns – Chicago Bulls 98:99 (Spiel 6, NBA Finals)
In 1993, the Bulls won their third title with MJ, also thanks Paxson! In Game 6 of the Finals, he sunk the final three three seconds before the end – he was the only Bulls player along with MJ to score in the fourth quarter.
Platz 17: LEBRON JAMES (2018)
Cleveland Cavaliers – Toronto Raptors 105:103 (Spiel 3, Conference Semifinals)
LeBron James is often accused of not being as clutch as he needs to be. However, the king also has five game winners in the playoffs on his account, nobody has more. And none was heavier than this runner once morest Torontowho finally set the course for Sweep in the Conference Semifinals.
Platz 15: ROBERT HORRY (2002)
- Los Angeles Lakers – Sacramento Kings 100:99 (Spiel 4, Conference Finals)
That threesome still gives Kings fans nightmares today. Horry had some great playoff moments, but his best throw was arguably Downtown’s buzzer-beater in Game 4 of the Conference Finals — in a streak that continued to spark plenty of excitement years later.
Platz 13: SEAN ELLIOTT (1999)
- San Antonio Spurs – Portland Trail Blazers 86:85 (Spiel 2, Conference Finals)
This litter is better known as the Memorial Day Miracle. With 12 seconds left, Elliott caught the ball on the touchline, tiptoed just regarding without stepping on the line, and pocketed the game winner.
Platz 11: GAR HEARD (1976)
- Boston Celtics – Phoenix Suns 128:126 3OT (Spiel 5, NBA Finals)
Mit dem “Shot Heard ‘Round The World” the power forward saved his Suns in the third OT of Game 5 of the 1975 Finals once morest the Celtics – with a turnaround buzzer beater. Boston still won the game and the title.
Platz 9: DAMIAN LILLARD (2019)
- Portland Trail Blazers – Oklahoma City Thunder 118:115 (Game 5, First Round)
He did it once more! The Blazers star decided the series once morest OKC with this incredible throw from the logo. It was points 48, 49 and 50 for Dame DOLLA who sent the Oklahoma City Thunder around Russell Westbrook and Paul George on vacation.
8th place: JERRY WEST (1970)
- Los Angeles Lakers – New York Knicks 108:111 OT (Spiel 3, NBA Finals)
One of the longest two-pointers in history. In Game 3 of the 1970 Finals, The Logo sank a buzzer beater from their own half, forcing overtime. The throw would have been enough to win nowadays, but back then there was no line of three…
6th place: MICHAEL JORDAN (1989)
- Cleveland Cavaliers – Chicago Bulls 100-101 (Game 5, First Round)
Shortly before, Craig Ehlo had put his Cavs in front, but then MJ took over. With a jump from the free-throw line, he gave the Bulls the win. Jordan celebrated – and Ehlo fell to the ground in despair. “The Shot” was born.
Platz 5: KAWHI LEONARD (2019)
- Toronto Raptors – Philadelphia 76ers 92:90 (Spiel 7, Conference Semifinals)
The first and so far only buzzerbeater in a game 7! The Claw propelled Toronto to the Conference Finals (and later title) for only the second time with that incredible throw over 7-foot-tall Joel Embiid.
Platz 3: KYRIE IRVING (2016)
- Golden State Warriors – Cleveland Cavaliers 89:93 (Spiel 7, NBA Finals)
No, not LeBron, but Kyrie put the lid on Cleveland’s first championship in 2016. Stephen Curry’s defense didn’t help much either… There was still plenty of time on the clock, but the historical importance of this shot should not be underestimated. Maybe Durant will never switch to the Warriors followingwards if the thing doesn’t fall?
2nd place: RAY ALLEN (2013)
- Miami Heat – San Antonio Spurs 103:100 OT (Spiel 6, NBA Finals)
Actually, the dream of the Heat was already over. Then along came Ray Allen! With an incredible stepback jumper, he saved Miami in overtime in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals once morest Spurs – breaking San Antonio’s neck.
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