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The NBA’s 2025-26 season is reaching its most decisive stretch, and the postseason is almost here. According to the NBA’s official schedule, the 2026 Play-In Tournament runs from April 14-17, and the first round of the NBA Playoffs begins on April 18.
That makes this the right time to revisit the moments that define playoff mythology. Regular-season buzzer beaters are dramatic, but playoff game-winners carry a different weight. They can end a series, break a fanbase’s heart, or launch a player into legend. This season has already reminded fans how sharp that line can be, with clutch finishes and late-game shot-making keeping the league’s drama alive.
From Damian Lillard to Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Jerry West and Kawhi Leonard, the NBA has produced a small group of players whose postseason shot-making still shapes how fans talk about greatness. With the 2026 playoffs about to begin, the conversation naturally turns to the biggest playoff buzzer beaters ever.
MORE: LaMelo Ball apologizes for Bam Adebayo trip that led to injury
Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Kawhi Leonard owns the greatest playoff buzzer-beater in NBA history. His shot came in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers. Toronto was tied with Philadelphia, and the final possession turned into one of the longest and most tense finishes ever seen in the playoffs. Leonard’s fadeaway bounced on the rim several times before finally dropping.
The moment sent the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals and kept alive the title run that ended with the franchise’s first championship.
Oct 27, 2024; Homestead, Florida, USA; 23XI owner Michael Jordan celebrates after his driver NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (not pictured) won the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
Michael Jordan’s “The Shot” remains one of the most important moments in playoff history. It came in Game 5 of the 1989 Eastern Conference First Round against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Chicago needed a winner, and Jordan rose over Craig Ehlo and buried the jumper at the buzzer.
The Bulls did not win the title that season, but the shot changed the way people viewed Jordan in the postseason. It became the first true playoff moment that matched his regular-season scoring reputation. It also helped build the legend that later carried him through the 1990s.
Mar 16, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) gestures to fans during the second half of the NBA game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Trail Blazers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Damian Lillard has two of the most famous playoff buzzer beaters, and the 2019 shot is the colder of the two. In Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lillard pulled up from 37 feet and waved goodbye as the ball dropped. The shot ended the series and erased the Thunder’s hopes in one motion. It also finished one of the most iconic individual playoff performances of his career, with 50 points on the night.
The image of Lillard walking off after the shot became part of NBA internet history immediately. It remains one of the most ruthless finishes ever.
Feb 15, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Shooting stars participant Robert Horry speaks to the media during the a press conference for the all star Saturday night participants at the Hilton Americas. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Robert Horry’s 2002 buzzer beater saved the Lakers at a critical point in the series. Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings was tightly contested, and the Kings were one possession away from taking command. After Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal missed in the final sequence, Horry was in the right place at the right time.
He knocked down the three at the buzzer to tie the series. The Lakers then went on to win the series in seven and continued their title run. It was one of the biggest role-player shots in playoff history.
Mar 29, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; sIndiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) in the second half against the Miami Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Tyrese Haliburton’s 2025 moment was not a game-winning buzzer beater, but it still belongs near the top because of the stage and the drama. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks, Haliburton hit a shot that sent the game to overtime. The bounce on the ball, the silence at Madison Square Garden and the late comeback gave the moment huge weight. Indiana then won in overtime, turning the play into a signature postseason flashpoint. It was also part of a bigger playoff run that further raised Haliburton’s profile. The shot carried serious legacy energy even without ending the game at the buzzer.
Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
Derek Fisher’s 0.4-second shot is one of the most technical buzzer beaters ever made. In Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers needed almost perfection to survive. Fisher caught the inbound pass, turned, and released the shot in a split second.
The basket shocked the Spurs and forced a review because of how little time was left. Los Angeles went on to win the series in six. The shot is remembered for both its difficulty and its timing.
February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great John Stockton is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
John Stockton’s 1997 buzzer beater sent the Utah Jazz to their first NBA Finals. In Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Rockets, Utah had worked back into the game and tied it late. Stockton came off a screen, stepped into a three, and buried the shot as time expired.
The moment was clean, calm and fitting for a player known more for control than flash. It ended Houston’s push for another title and pushed Utah into the Finals. For Stockton, it remains one of the defining shots of his career.
Jan 18, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Former Houston Rockets player Ralph Sampson is honored during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Ralph Sampson’s buzzer beater in the 1986 Western Conference Finals was wild and chaotic. Houston was fighting the Lakers in Game 5, and the possession ended with Sampson twisting in traffic near the rim. He got the shot off and somehow watched it drop for the win.
That basket eliminated Los Angeles and sent the Rockets to the NBA Finals. It was not the prettiest moment on this list, but it was one of the most dramatic. The stakes made it unforgettable.
February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great Jerry West is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Jerry West’s 60-footer in the 1970 NBA Finals is still one of the most famous shots in league history. The Lakers were down late in Game 3 against the New York Knicks, and West launched from well beyond half court. The ball dropped cleanly and forced overtime.
Los Angeles still lost the game, but the shot became immortal because of how unlikely it was. It also reinforced West’s image as “Mr. Clutch.” Few buzzer beaters have ever had that kind of lasting legacy without ending in a win.
Jan 12, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls class of 2024 Ring of Honor inductee and former player Toni Kukoc is honored during the inaugural ceremony at halftime of a game between the Bulls and Golden State Warriors at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Toni Kukoc’s 1994 buzzer beater against the New York Knicks was a cold-blooded moment for the Bulls. Chicago was without Michael Jordan, and the final possession put the spotlight on Kukoc instead of Scottie Pippen. He delivered with a fadeaway jumper as time expired.
The shot gave the Bulls a 2-1 series lead and proved Kukoc could handle the pressure. Even though Chicago lost the series in seven, the moment stood out because of the tension around it. It remains one of the most memorable shots from the post-Jordan Bulls era.
MORE: Erik Spoelstra rips LaMelo Ball for tripping Heat star Bam Adebayo
Playoff buzzer beaters capture the essence of NBA greatness, where pressure, skill and timing collide. As the 2026 playoffs approach, these iconic moments remind fans how one shot can define careers, shift legacies and shape basketball history. Expect new heroes to rise and add their names to this unforgettable list.
Continue reading...
That makes this the right time to revisit the moments that define playoff mythology. Regular-season buzzer beaters are dramatic, but playoff game-winners carry a different weight. They can end a series, break a fanbase’s heart, or launch a player into legend. This season has already reminded fans how sharp that line can be, with clutch finishes and late-game shot-making keeping the league’s drama alive.
From Damian Lillard to Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Jerry West and Kawhi Leonard, the NBA has produced a small group of players whose postseason shot-making still shapes how fans talk about greatness. With the 2026 playoffs about to begin, the conversation naturally turns to the biggest playoff buzzer beaters ever.
MORE: LaMelo Ball apologizes for Bam Adebayo trip that led to injury
1. Kawhi Leonard, Eastern Conference Semifinals, 2019
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Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Kawhi Leonard owns the greatest playoff buzzer-beater in NBA history. His shot came in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers. Toronto was tied with Philadelphia, and the final possession turned into one of the longest and most tense finishes ever seen in the playoffs. Leonard’s fadeaway bounced on the rim several times before finally dropping.
The moment sent the Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals and kept alive the title run that ended with the franchise’s first championship.
2. Michael Jordan, Eastern Conference First Round, 1989
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Oct 27, 2024; Homestead, Florida, USA; 23XI owner Michael Jordan celebrates after his driver NASCAR Cup Series driver Tyler Reddick (not pictured) won the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
Michael Jordan’s “The Shot” remains one of the most important moments in playoff history. It came in Game 5 of the 1989 Eastern Conference First Round against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Chicago needed a winner, and Jordan rose over Craig Ehlo and buried the jumper at the buzzer.
The Bulls did not win the title that season, but the shot changed the way people viewed Jordan in the postseason. It became the first true playoff moment that matched his regular-season scoring reputation. It also helped build the legend that later carried him through the 1990s.
3. Damian Lillard, Western Conference First Round, 2019
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Mar 16, 2026; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) gestures to fans during the second half of the NBA game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Trail Blazers at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Damian Lillard has two of the most famous playoff buzzer beaters, and the 2019 shot is the colder of the two. In Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lillard pulled up from 37 feet and waved goodbye as the ball dropped. The shot ended the series and erased the Thunder’s hopes in one motion. It also finished one of the most iconic individual playoff performances of his career, with 50 points on the night.
The image of Lillard walking off after the shot became part of NBA internet history immediately. It remains one of the most ruthless finishes ever.
4. Robert Horry, Western Conference Finals, 2002
You must be registered for see images attach
Feb 15, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Shooting stars participant Robert Horry speaks to the media during the a press conference for the all star Saturday night participants at the Hilton Americas. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Robert Horry’s 2002 buzzer beater saved the Lakers at a critical point in the series. Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals against the Sacramento Kings was tightly contested, and the Kings were one possession away from taking command. After Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal missed in the final sequence, Horry was in the right place at the right time.
He knocked down the three at the buzzer to tie the series. The Lakers then went on to win the series in seven and continued their title run. It was one of the biggest role-player shots in playoff history.
5. Tyrese Haliburton, Eastern Conference Finals, 2025
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Mar 29, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; sIndiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) in the second half against the Miami Heat at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Tyrese Haliburton’s 2025 moment was not a game-winning buzzer beater, but it still belongs near the top because of the stage and the drama. In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks, Haliburton hit a shot that sent the game to overtime. The bounce on the ball, the silence at Madison Square Garden and the late comeback gave the moment huge weight. Indiana then won in overtime, turning the play into a signature postseason flashpoint. It was also part of a bigger playoff run that further raised Haliburton’s profile. The shot carried serious legacy energy even without ending the game at the buzzer.
6. Derek Fisher, Western Conference Semifinals, 2004
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Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher during their game against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-Imagn Images
Derek Fisher’s 0.4-second shot is one of the most technical buzzer beaters ever made. In Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs, the Lakers needed almost perfection to survive. Fisher caught the inbound pass, turned, and released the shot in a split second.
The basket shocked the Spurs and forced a review because of how little time was left. Los Angeles went on to win the series in six. The shot is remembered for both its difficulty and its timing.
7. John Stockton, Western Conference Finals, 1997
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February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great John Stockton is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
John Stockton’s 1997 buzzer beater sent the Utah Jazz to their first NBA Finals. In Game 6 of the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Rockets, Utah had worked back into the game and tied it late. Stockton came off a screen, stepped into a three, and buried the shot as time expired.
The moment was clean, calm and fitting for a player known more for control than flash. It ended Houston’s push for another title and pushed Utah into the Finals. For Stockton, it remains one of the defining shots of his career.
8. Ralph Sampson, Western Conference Finals, 1986
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Jan 18, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Former Houston Rockets player Ralph Sampson is honored during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Ralph Sampson’s buzzer beater in the 1986 Western Conference Finals was wild and chaotic. Houston was fighting the Lakers in Game 5, and the possession ended with Sampson twisting in traffic near the rim. He got the shot off and somehow watched it drop for the win.
That basket eliminated Los Angeles and sent the Rockets to the NBA Finals. It was not the prettiest moment on this list, but it was one of the most dramatic. The stakes made it unforgettable.
9. Jerry West, NBA Finals, 1970
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February 20, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; NBA great Jerry West is honored for being selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during halftime in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Jerry West’s 60-footer in the 1970 NBA Finals is still one of the most famous shots in league history. The Lakers were down late in Game 3 against the New York Knicks, and West launched from well beyond half court. The ball dropped cleanly and forced overtime.
Los Angeles still lost the game, but the shot became immortal because of how unlikely it was. It also reinforced West’s image as “Mr. Clutch.” Few buzzer beaters have ever had that kind of lasting legacy without ending in a win.
10. Toni Kukoc, Eastern Conference Semifinals, 1994
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Jan 12, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls class of 2024 Ring of Honor inductee and former player Toni Kukoc is honored during the inaugural ceremony at halftime of a game between the Bulls and Golden State Warriors at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Toni Kukoc’s 1994 buzzer beater against the New York Knicks was a cold-blooded moment for the Bulls. Chicago was without Michael Jordan, and the final possession put the spotlight on Kukoc instead of Scottie Pippen. He delivered with a fadeaway jumper as time expired.
The shot gave the Bulls a 2-1 series lead and proved Kukoc could handle the pressure. Even though Chicago lost the series in seven, the moment stood out because of the tension around it. It remains one of the most memorable shots from the post-Jordan Bulls era.
MORE: Erik Spoelstra rips LaMelo Ball for tripping Heat star Bam Adebayo
Conclusion
Playoff buzzer beaters capture the essence of NBA greatness, where pressure, skill and timing collide. As the 2026 playoffs approach, these iconic moments remind fans how one shot can define careers, shift legacies and shape basketball history. Expect new heroes to rise and add their names to this unforgettable list.
Continue reading...
