Game 7: Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers (May 12, 2019)

The Context: Tie game (90-90) with 4.2 seconds remaining in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Shot: Kawhi Leonard received the inbound pass, drove right toward the corner while contested heavily by Joel Embiid’s towering 7-foot frame, and launched a high-arching fadeaway Jumper over the outstretched arm. The ball bounced off the rim four distinct times before falling through the net as the horn sounded.

Why It Stands Alone: It is the only Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA playoff history. The mental picture of Kawhi squatting on the baseline watching the bounces remains one of the most striking visual images in modern sports history, propelling Toronto to its first-ever NBA championship.

Game 5: Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (April 23, 2019)

The Context: Tied 115-115 with under five seconds on the clock, Portland holding a 3-1 series lead.

The Shot: Staring down Paul George near center court, Lillard casually let the clock run down before pulling up from 37 feet out. He sank the deep three-pointer right over George, capstone to his 50-point masterpiece, before waving “goodbye” to the Thunder bench.

The Aftermath: George infamously dubbed it a “bad shot” in the post-game press conference, but Lillard’s icy audacity transformed it into an instant classic that effectively ended the Westbrook-George era in Oklahoma City.

Game 2: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets (September 20, 2020)

The Context: The Lakers trailed 103-102 with 2.1 seconds left in Game 2 inside the Orlando Bubble.

The Shot: Rajon Rondo delivered a pinpoint sideline inbound pass to Anthony Davis on the wing. AD caught, turned, and uncorked a smooth three-pointer over Nikola Jokić to secure a dramatic 105-103 victory.

Cultural Impact: Dressed in the Black Mamba city edition jerseys honoring Kobe Bryant, Davis shouted “Kobe!” immediately after watching the ball splash through the net, creating a unforgettable emotional touchstone for Lakers fans.

Game 4: Dallas Mavericks vs. LA Clippers (August 23, 2020)

The Context: Dallas trailed 133-132 in overtime while playing without Kristaps Porziņģis.

The Shot: Playing on a sprained ankle, a 21-year-old Luka Dončić pulled off a signature step-back 28-foot three-pointer over Reggie Jackson at the buzzer to give Dallas a 135-133 victory, capping off a monstrous 43-point, 17-rebound, 13-assist triple-double performance.

Regular Season: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Dallas Mavericks

The Context: Cleveland trailed 110-108 with only 2.6 seconds left in regulation after Luka Dončić assisted P.J. Washington for a late lead.

The Shot: Max Strus caught the pass in the backcourt, took two quick dribbles, and unleashed a 59-foot shot from well behind the half-court line. The ball swished clean through the hoop to seal an astonishing 111-110 Cleveland win.

Statistical Anomaly: Strus made five three-pointers in the final four minutes of the game, making it one of the most absurd individual shooting explosions ever captured on film.

Game 6: Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat (May 27, 2023)

The Context: Boston was down 103-102 facing postseason elimination, trailing 3.0 seconds on the clock.

The Play: Marcus Smart’s corner three rattled out, but Derrick White sprinted from the opposite wing untouched, crashing the glass to convert a put-back layup with just 0.1 seconds remaining. The replay review confirmed the ball left his fingers mere milliseconds before the light strip illuminated red, forcing a Game 7.