The NBA Finals have given basketball fans some of the most exciting moments in sports. Big shots, huge performances, and acts of heart turn regular players into legends. This article picks some of the very best Finals moments ever. You’ll see what happened, why it mattered, and the key facts behind each play.
Game-Saving Plays That Changed Titles
Michael Jordan, “The Last Shot” (1998 Game 6)
In the final seconds of Game 6 of the 1998 Finals, Michael Jordan got the ball, created space, and hit a 20-foot jumper over Bryon Russell. The shot gave the Chicago Bulls an 87–86 lead with 5.2 seconds left. The Jazz missed on the last try, and the Bulls won the title. That jumper is often called “The Last Shot” because it sealed Jordan’s sixth championship with Chicago.
Ray Allen, Corner Three to Force Game 7 (2013 Game 6)
In Game 6 of the 2013 Finals, the Miami Heat were down late and facing elimination against the San Antonio Spurs. Ray Allen made a perfect catch-and-shoot three with 5.2 seconds left. That shot tied the game and forced overtime.
The Heat then won Game 7 the next night and claimed the championship. It is one of the most famous clutch shots in Finals history.
LeBron James Chase-Down Block and Kyrie Irving Clincher (2016 Game 7)
Game 7 of the 2016 Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors had two plays that people still talk about. With under two minutes left, LeBron James chased down Andre Iguodala and blocked his layup at the rim.
That block kept the game tied and swung momentum. A minute later, Kyrie Irving hit a tough three over Stephen Curry with 53 seconds left to give Cleveland the lead. The Cavs held on and won 93–89. That title ended Cleveland’s long championship drought and was the first time a team came back from a 3–1 series deficit in the Finals.
Robert Horry, Clutch Three in OT (2005 Game 5)
In the 2005 Finals, Robert Horry came off the Spurs’ bench and hit a big three in overtime to lift San Antonio past the Detroit Pistons in Game 5. Horry was known as “Big Shot Rob” for moments like this, late-game buckets that swung the series his team’s way. His clutch shooting across multiple Finals made him a legend of the postseason.
John Paxson, Three to Finish the Three-Peat (1993 Game 6)
In Game 6 of the 1993 Finals, the Bulls trailed late in Phoenix. With only 3.9 seconds left, Horace Grant found John Paxson in the corner. Paxson nailed the three to put the Bulls up 99–98 and clinch their third straight title. That shot completed Chicago’s first three-peat in the Jordan era.
Legendary Individual Performances
Magic Johnson, Rookie Starts at Center and Wins it All (1980 Game 6)
In Game 6 of the 1980 Finals, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was injured and could not play. Rookie Magic Johnson started at center and delivered an incredible performance: 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists.
The Lakers won the game and the championship. Magic earned Finals MVP as a rookie. That night is remembered as one of the most versatile and fearless Finals performances ever.
Michael Jordan, “Flu Game” (1997 Game 5)
In Game 5 of the 1997 Finals, Michael Jordan was sick with what many believed was the flu. Even so, Jordan played and scored 38 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and led the Bulls to a tight win in Utah. The effort is famous because he pushed through severe illness and still carried his team in a critical Finals game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, 50-Point Clincher (2021 Game 6)
To win the Milwaukee Bucks’ first NBA title since 1971, Giannis scored 50 points in Game 6 of the 2021 Finals against the Phoenix Suns. He also grabbed 14 rebounds and had five blocks. That dominant closeout game earned him Finals MVP and is one of the greatest single-game Finals performances in recent memory.
Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (Early 2000s Finals Moments)
Across the early 2000s, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal formed a dominant Finals duo for the Lakers. Shaq’s power and Kobe’s scoring created many big games and series-winning plays. While not a single play, their Finals run included repeated dominant performances and buzzer moments that defined that era.
Moments of Heart, Style, and Pure Drama
Willis Reed, The Walk and the First Baskets (1970 Game 7)
Before Game 7 of the 1970 Finals, Willis Reed was injured, and many thought he would not play. Reed shocked the crowd by walking onto the court during warmups. He then scored the Knicks’ first two baskets and helped inspire New York to a 113–99 win over the Lakers.
The sight of Reed limping out and playing became a lasting symbol of courage in Finals history.
Julius Erving, Baseline Reverse Layup (1980 Finals Game 4)
Julius Erving, known as “Dr. J,” made a behind-the-back, baseline reverse layup in the 1980 Finals that stunned fans and TV audiences. The move showed his creativity and athleticism and brought ABA-style excitement to the NBA. That play is still replayed in highlight reels today.
Jerry West, 60-foot Buzzer-Beater to Force OT (1970 Game 3)
In Game 3 of the 1970 Finals, Jerry West hit a 60-foot shot at the buzzer to tie the game and force overtime. It remains one of the longest and most dramatic buzzer-beaters in Finals history. Even though the Lakers lost the series, West’s shot became instantly famous.
Allen Iverson, Step over Tyronn Lue (2001 Game 1)
In Game 1 of the 2001 Finals, Allen Iverson scored 48 points and hit a late jumper over Tyronn Lue. After the basket, Iverson stepped over Lue in a dramatic move that became one of the most replayed Finals highlights. It symbolized Iverson’s fearless style of play.
The 1976 Triple-Overtime Thriller (Gar Heard’s shot)
In the 1976 Finals, Gar Heard hit a turnaround jumper late in regulation to force overtime in a game that went to triple-overtime. It remains one of the longest and most dramatic Finals contests ever played. The game showed how intense and emotional the Finals can be.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which NBA Finals moment is often called the greatest?
A: There is no single answer. Many lists rank Michael Jordan’s 1998 “Last Shot,” LeBron’s 2016 block, Ray Allen’s 2013 three, and Magic’s 1980 rookie center game among the top moments. Different fans value different things — big shots, big games, or acts of courage.
Q: Are these moments backed by official records?
A: Yes. Every moment here can be checked against box scores and official NBA recaps. The dates, point totals, and outcomes match the official game records.
Q: Did rule changes affect some of these moments?
A: Yes. The three-point line was introduced in the 1979–80 season. That means earlier clutch long shots, like Jerry West’s 60-footer in 1970, only counted for two points. Style of play and player size have also changed over time, but the importance of clutch Finals moments remains the same.
Q: Where can I watch these highlights?
A: The NBA’s official site and major sports outlets post many highlight videos and recaps. YouTube also has full highlight reels of historic Finals moments, including the league’s own “Top Finals moments” playlists.
Conclusion
The NBA Finals give us the highest-stakes, most intense basketball moments. Sometimes a single shot decides a title. Sometimes one player’s entire night becomes part of sports history. Here are the key takeaways:
- Big shots matter: Jordan’s 1998 jumper, Ray Allen’s 2013 corner three, and Paxson’s 1993 trey all directly decided championships.
- Big performances matter: Magic as a rookie in 1980, Jordan’s 1997 Flu Game, and Giannis’ 50-point clincher show how one night can define a player’s Finals legacy.
- Heart and drama matter: Willis Reed walking onto the court, Jerry West’s 60-footer, and Iverson’s step-over remind us that emotion and style live forever in Finals lore.
Read More
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
