Game-winning buzzer beaters in the NBA playoffs have become some of the most iconic moments in basketball history. The first recorded NBA playoff buzzer beater came in 1977 when Jojo White sank a clutch shot off of his teammate Sidney Wicks’ miss for the Boston Celtics. One of the most memorable playoff buzzer beaters came from Michael Jordan in 1989, when he hit “The Shot” over Craig Ehlo to eliminate the Cleveland Cavaliers and in 1993, did it again, this time over Gerald Wilkins in the ECSF in game 4. In 1997, John Stockton sent the Utah Jazz to the Finals with a dramatic three-pointer at the buzzer against the Houston Rockets, and the next game Michael Jordan beat them at the buzzer in game 1 of the 1997 NBA finals. In the 2000’s, Derek Fisher stunned the San Antonio Spurs in 2004 with a shot made in just 0.4 seconds. Damian Lillard has his name in the record books, eliminating the Rockets in 2014 at the buzzer in 6 games, and eliminating the Thunder in 2019 in 5 games. LeBron James added his name to the list with multiple playoff buzzer beaters, including a game-winning three in 2018 against the Pacers and the Raptors. Kawhi Leonard’s 2019 buzzer beater against the 76ers was the first Game 7 winner in NBA history. These moments have become etched in NBA lore, highlighting the drama and unpredictability of the playoffs.
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