Buzzer-beaters decide championships, launch legends, and spark endless fan arguments about clutch greatness. Iconic shots combine pressure, precision, and drama that echo for generations. Vote to rank the most memorable game-winners in NBA history.
What counts: Best means greatest cultural impact, game stakes, shot difficulty and lasting debate value; distances approximate.
Michael Jordan 1989 First Round▲ Rising
Jordan's 18-foot jumper over Craig Ehlo gave the Bulls their first playoff series win in years and launched the dynasty era. The "The Shot" moment electrified Chicago and announced Jordan's clutch arrival. It ranks high for historical turning-point status.
Year: 1989Player: Michael JordanTeam: Chicago BullsDistance: 18 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Michael Jordan 1998 Finals▲ Rising
Jordan's 17-foot fadeaway sealed the sixth title and ended his Bulls career on the ultimate high note. The shot came after a push-off that remains debated yet defined his clutch legacy. It tops every list because it capped a dynasty in the most dramatic fashion.
Year: 1998Player: Michael JordanTeam: Chicago BullsDistance: 17 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Reggie Miller 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals▲ Rising
Miller's 16-foot jumper over the Knicks in Game 1 started his legendary New York rivalry and gave Indiana a huge road win. The shot ignited Miller's trash-talk persona. Its legacy comes from rivalry fuel and playoff intensity.
Year: 1995Player: Reggie MillerTeam: Indiana PacersDistance: 16 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Magic Johnson 1980 NBA Finals▲ Rising
Magic's sky-hook at the buzzer in Game 4 helped the Lakers take a 3-2 lead en route to the championship. The rookie center's unexpected move stunned the 76ers. It earns ranking through Finals setting and early Magic legend-building.
Year: 1980Player: Magic JohnsonTeam: Los Angeles LakersDistance: 12 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Kawhi Leonard 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals▲ Rising
Leonard banked in a 15-foot jumper at the buzzer to beat the 76ers in Game 7 and send Toronto to the conference finals. The improbable bounce became an instant meme and series-turner. It earns its rank through pure playoff drama and franchise-altering impact.
Year: 2019Player: Kawhi LeonardTeam: Toronto RaptorsDistance: 15 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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John Stockton 1993 Western Conference First Round
Stockton's 26-foot three at the buzzer lifted Utah over Houston in Game 5 and kept their playoff hopes alive. The long-range bomb showcased his clutch passing reputation extending to scoring. Its inclusion rests on playoff distance and Jazz franchise history.
Year: 1993Player: John StocktonTeam: Utah JazzDistance: 26 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Derek Fisher 2004 Western Conference Finals▲ Rising
Fisher's 18-foot jumper with 0.4 seconds left stunned the Spurs in Game 5 and forced a Game 6. The quick release after a timeout became a coaching-clinic staple. It ranks for pure timing and underdog Lakers drama.
Year: 2004Player: Derek FisherTeam: Los Angeles LakersDistance: 18 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Tony Parker 2004 Western Conference Semifinals
Parker's 18-foot floater at the buzzer lifted San Antonio over the Lakers in Game 5 and shifted series momentum. The crafty finish showed his future MVP potential. Its place comes from Finals-bound team context.
Year: 2004Player: Tony ParkerTeam: San Antonio SpursDistance: 18 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Damian Lillard 2019 Western Conference Finals▲ Rising
Lillard drained a 37-foot three over Russell Westbrook to eliminate OKC and reach the Finals for the first time. The step-back bomb and stare-down created one of the loudest moments in Portland history. Its ranking stems from record distance and playoff elimination power.
Year: 2019Player: Damian LillardTeam: Portland Trail BlazersDistance: 37 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Steve Nash 2007 Western Conference Semifinals
Nash's 22-foot jumper at the buzzer in Game 4 kept Phoenix alive against San Antonio. The quick release after a timeout became a signature moment. Its inclusion rests on Suns' exciting style era.
Year: 2007Player: Steve NashTeam: Phoenix SunsDistance: 22 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Paul Pierce 2002 Eastern Conference Finals
Pierce's 19-foot jumper at the buzzer gave Boston a 2-1 lead over New Jersey in a tense series. The clutch mid-range shot highlighted his emerging star status. It stands out for Eastern Conference stakes.
Year: 2002Player: Paul PierceTeam: Boston CelticsDistance: 19 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Larry Bird 1981 Eastern Conference Finals
Bird stole an inbound pass and hit a 15-foot jumper to beat the 76ers in Game 5 and propel Boston toward the title. The steal-and-score remains one of the smartest plays ever. Its place is secured by playoff brilliance and Bird's cerebral reputation.
Year: 1981Player: Larry BirdTeam: Boston CelticsDistance: 15 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Dwyane Wade 2004 Eastern Conference First Round▲ Rising
Wade's 14-foot jumper at the buzzer gave Miami a Game 1 win over New Orleans and announced his rookie arrival. The athletic drive highlighted his future star power. It ranks for breakout impact.
Year: 2004Player: Dwyane WadeTeam: Miami HeatDistance: 14 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Russell Westbrook 2014 Western Conference First Round
Westbrook's 17-foot jumper at the buzzer gave Oklahoma City a Game 4 win over Memphis. The athletic drive highlighted his triple-double MVP form. It ranks for playoff intensity.
Year: 2014Player: Russell WestbrookTeam: Oklahoma City ThunderDistance: 17 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Ray Allen 2005 Eastern Conference Finals
Allen's 26-foot three at the buzzer in Game 6 forced overtime against Detroit and kept Miami's title hopes alive. The deep shot showcased his shooting reputation. Its ranking reflects Finals path impact.
Year: 2005Player: Ray AllenTeam: Miami HeatDistance: 26 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Vince Carter 2001 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Carter's 18-foot jumper over the 76ers in Game 3 helped Toronto take a 2-1 lead in a hard-fought series. The athletic finish added to Carter's highlight reel. It earns a spot through Canadian basketball history and athletic flair.
Year: 2001Player: Vince CarterTeam: Toronto RaptorsDistance: 18 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Manu Ginobili 2005 Western Conference Finals
Ginobili's 19-foot jumper at the buzzer gave San Antonio a Game 5 win over Phoenix and series momentum. The crafty drive-and-kick finish fit his Finals MVP path. It earns ranking through championship context.
Year: 2005Player: Manu GinobiliTeam: San Antonio SpursDistance: 19 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Chris Paul 2011 Western Conference First Round
Paul's 24-foot three at the buzzer lifted New Orleans over the Lakers in Game 4 and stunned Los Angeles. The deep shot showcased his clutch passing reputation extending to scoring. Its place stems from underdog upset value.
Year: 2011Player: Chris PaulTeam: New Orleans HornetsDistance: 24 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Jimmy Butler 2022 Eastern Conference First Round▼ Falling
Butler's 23-foot jumper at the buzzer lifted Miami over Atlanta in Game 4 and gave them series momentum. The clutch mid-range finish highlighted his playoff heroics. Its place comes from recent memory and Heat culture.
Year: 2022Player: Jimmy ButlerTeam: Miami HeatDistance: 23 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Donovan Mitchell 2020 Western Conference First Round▼ Falling
Mitchell's 17-foot jumper at the buzzer in Game 2 gave Utah a win over Denver and series lead. The athletic finish showcased his rising star power. It ranks for bubble-era drama.
Year: 2020Player: Donovan MitchellTeam: Utah JazzDistance: 17 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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DeMar DeRozan 2019 Eastern Conference First Round▼ Falling
DeRozan's 19-foot jumper at the buzzer gave San Antonio a Game 1 win over Denver. The mid-range finish highlighted his scoring consistency. Its inclusion rests on recent playoff memory.
Year: 2019Player: DeMar DeRozanTeam: San Antonio SpursDistance: 19 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Fred VanVleet 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals
VanVleet's 24-foot three at the buzzer in Game 4 gave Toronto a 3-1 lead over Philadelphia. The deep shot showcased his rising role in the championship run. It earns a spot through title context.
Year: 2019Player: Fred VanVleetTeam: Toronto RaptorsDistance: 24 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Pascal Siakam 2019 Eastern Conference Finals▼ Falling
Siakam's 18-foot jumper at the buzzer in Game 4 gave Toronto a 3-1 lead over Milwaukee. The athletic finish helped seal the series sweep path. Its place stems from championship payoff.
Year: 2019Player: Pascal SiakamTeam: Toronto RaptorsDistance: 18 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Klay Thompson 2016 Western Conference Finals▼ Falling
Thompson's 26-foot three at the buzzer in Game 6 forced a Game 7 against Oklahoma City and kept Golden State's title hopes alive. The deep shot fit his shooting legend. Its ranking reflects Warriors dynasty context.
Year: 2016Player: Klay ThompsonTeam: Golden State WarriorsDistance: 26 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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J.R. Smith 2018 Eastern Conference Finals▼ Falling
Smith's 17-foot jumper at the buzzer in Game 1 gave Cleveland a stunning road win over Boston. The clutch shot extended LeBron's Finals streak. It earns a spot through dramatic underdog energy.
Year: 2018Player: J.R. SmithTeam: Cleveland CavaliersDistance: 17 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Kyle Lowry 2019 Eastern Conference Finals▼ Falling
Lowry's 22-foot jumper at the buzzer in Game 5 gave Toronto a 3-2 lead over Milwaukee. The clutch shot helped propel the Raptors to their first title. Its ranking reflects championship payoff.
Year: 2019Player: Kyle LowryTeam: Toronto RaptorsDistance: 22 ftPlayoffs: ✓
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Somebody explain the Michael Jordan 1998 Finals votes to me. Genuinely. I want to understand.
Michael Jordan 1998 Finals at the top is the correct call and I'll die on this hill.
Voted, but this order is going to look very different in a month once more people find it.