So, I've been thinking a lot about those unforgettable moments in the NBA, where the photograph captures not just a game, but a slice of history. Take Michael Jordan's "The Shot" in Game 5 of the 1989 Eastern Conference First Round against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Imagine the atmosphere in Richfield Coliseum — the clock ticking down, Jordan double-clutching in mid-air, and swishing the ball through the net as the buzzer goes off. What many people forget is that Jordan had just turned 26 that season, and this was merely the beginning of his playoff heroics. That shot is forever etched in our minds.
Another classic shot that really stands out has to be Ray Allen's game-saving three-pointer in Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals for the Miami Heat. The arena? American Airlines Arena in Miami. Down by three points with just 5.2 seconds left, Allen backpedaled to the corner and launched a perfect three-point shot. The ball sailed through the net, tying the game and eventually leading the Heat to a championship win in Game 7. The moment wasn't just iconic for its dramatic flair; it also punctuated Allen's record as one of the best three-point shooters. His career three-point percentage? An astonishing 40%, with that particular season being one of his remarkable performances.
Now, I can't talk about iconic NBA shots without mentioning Kobe Bryant. One image that always gets shared is his buzzer-beater in 2006 against the Phoenix Suns in Game 4 of the first round. This was at the Staples Center. The Lakers were tied at 90 with just a few seconds left in overtime, and Bryant, with his signature fadeaway jumper, clinched the game. That season, Kobe averaged a staggering 35.4 points per game, marking it as one of the best individual scoring seasons in NBA history.
Speaking of individual brilliance, Stephen Curry has given Golden State Warriors fans a plethora of memories at the Chase Center. One particularly jaw-dropping moment was in the 2021-2022 season when Curry broke the all-time three-point record against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Nevertheless, his home-court performances at Chase Center, like his buzzer-beater against the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016 from well beyond the arc, continue to reverberate throughout the league. That particular game was crucial as it ensured the Warriors' 72-win record that season, just one win shy of Michael Jordan’s 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls.
Dirk Nowitzki's game-winning shot in the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Center in Dallas still gives Mavericks fans goosebumps. Down by one point with 20 seconds left, Nowitzki drove to the basket and made a left-handed layup to secure the win. This was pivotal not just for the game but for winning the championship, as the Mavs would go on to win the series 4-2 against the heavily-favored Miami Heat. Dirk’s playoff run was so phenomenal that it earned him Finals MVP honors at the age of 32.
Let's swing over to the East Coast and talk about Kawhi Leonard's buzzer-beater in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals. This took place at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. With only seconds left, Leonard launched a high-arcing shot from the corner, the ball bouncing on the rim four times before finally going in. That shot not only clinched the game but also propelled the Raptors to their first-ever NBA Finals and subsequently their first championship in franchise history. It was a moment that solidified Leonard's reputation, exemplifying his clutch performance throughout the series.
Another shot that deserves mention is Damian Lillard’s 37-foot buzzer-beater in 2019 that ended the Oklahoma City Thunder’s season. When you think about it, a shot that long isn’t supposed to be part of anyone’s game plan, but for Lillard, those types of shots have become routine. Played at the Moda Center in Portland, this iconic moment ensured the Trail Blazers' advancement to the second round, underscoring Lillard's ice-cold demeanor under pressure. The shot was not only memorable but also signified Dame’s importance to Portland’s franchise.
And how can anyone forget Magic Johnson's junior, junior sky hook in the 1987 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics? This took place in the legendary Boston Garden, a place rich with NBA history. With just a few seconds on the clock, Magic maneuvered past defenders to score a crucial hook shot, clinching the game for the Lakers. Johnson was 27 at the time and already had multiple championships under his belt, but this shot epitomized his knack for delivering in critical moments. That series was another chapter in the storied Lakers-Celtics rivalry, which had defined the NBA for decades.
These iconic shots aren’t merely highlights; they're episodes in the dramatic series that is the NBA. Players like Jordan, Curry, Bryant, Allen, and Leonard have given us these unforgettable moments, each embedded in the respective arenas where they took place. The drama, the pressure, and the skill are all frozen in those images, encapsulating what makes basketball so enthralling. When you check out the shots captured by arena plus, you'll relive these moments in high definition, each frame telling its own story of triumph, skill, and legacy.