The greatest NBA game winners in recent history

Game winners
The greatest ones
Leonard vs Phili (2019)
Catalyst to success
Lillard vs OKC (2019)
'Dame Time'
LeBron vs Toronto (2018)
'LeBronto'
Kyrie Irving vs Warriors (2016)
3-1 down
John Stockton vs Rockets (1997)
The Finals awaited
Paxson vs Suns (1993)
'Paxson for three!'
Michael Jordan vs Utah (1998)
Six rings
Game winners

In recent years, the NBA has provided fans with box office game-winners and title-deciding buzzer-beaters.

The greatest ones

Let's look through some of the best game-winners in recent NBA history!

Leonard vs Phili (2019)

Kawhi Leonard's game-winning buzzer-beater in game seven of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers is one of the most iconic game-defining buckets in recent memory.

Catalyst to success

The shot from the corner bounced around the rim four times before swooshing through the basket. The win for the Raptors was the catalyst for glory, beating the Milwaukee Bucks in the Conference Finals, then winning the championship, beating Golden State.

Lillard vs OKC (2019)

Against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Playoffs 2019, Damian Lillard hit arguably his most iconic game-winner to send his Portland Trail Blazers into the next round.

'Dame Time'

Lillard scored a 40ft looping three-point shot over the outstretched arm of NBA superstar Paul George with no time left on the clock, leading to fans giving him the nickname 'Dame Time.'

LeBron vs Toronto (2018)

In recent years, the Toronto Raptors have never been able to stop LeBron James in the NBA playoffs. With Cleveland up 2-0 in the series, James' one-legged buzzer-beater from the corner gave the Cavs a 105-103 victory, taking them to 3-0 for the contest.

'LeBronto'

According to bleacherreport.com, LeBron James' psychological advantage over Toronto earned him the nickname 'LeBronto.'

Kyrie Irving vs Warriors (2016)

The shot that defined the greatest NBA Finals comeback in history was Kyrie Irving's clutch shot over Steph Curry in game seven of the Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.

3-1 down

Irving's shot with 53 seconds left in the game shattered Golden State's heart, completing the turnaround from 3-1 down in the series to win 4-3, securing Cleveland's first-ever NBA title.

John Stockton vs Rockets (1997)

John Stockton made the NBA playoffs every season in his career for the Utah Jazz. Before 1997, he and his side had struggled to make a run to the NBA Finals.

The Finals awaited

This made Stockton's game-winner against the Houston Rockets even sweeter, knocking the previous two-time champions out and getting a shot at Michael Jordan and the Bulls.

Paxson vs Suns (1993)

After Phoenix won games four and five in the 1993 NBA Finals, the series between them and Michael Jordan's Bulls looked to be going the distance, except it didn't...

'Paxson for three!'

John Paxson's championship-deciding shot, four seconds left of game six, cemented the Bulls and his teammate Michael Jordan's legacy, winning the first NBA Championship three-peat since Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics in the 60s.

Michael Jordan vs Utah (1998)

The GOAT, the final shot, the 'Last Dance', possibly the most iconic game-winner in the history of basketball is Michael Jordan's final shot as a Chicago Bull in the 1998 NBA Finals against the Utah Jazz.

Six rings

The shot cemented Jordan's sixth and final ring in the NBA, a second three-peat, and confirmed to all NBA fans that he's the greatest to play basketball.

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