Let me tell you, nothing beats the excitement of the NBA playoffs. The sheer intensity, the high stakes, and the legendary performances make it an absolute feast for basketball lovers. Take the 2016 NBA Finals, for example. The Cleveland Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors. LeBron James posted a triple-double in Game 7, scoring 27 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists. Not just any triple-double, but one that cemented his legacy as one of the greatest ever. Everyone talks about the iconic block against Andre Iguodala, but what often gets overshadowed is how Kyrie Irving nailed the go-ahead three-pointer with just 53 seconds remaining. That shot? Cold-blooded. You had to be there—or at least watch it live on TV—to fully grasp its significance.
Fast forward to 2019 when Kawhi Leonard’s buzzer-beater in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Philadelphia 76ers sent the Toronto Raptors to the Conference Finals. That shot, which Leonard took over Joel Embiid, bounced four times on the rim before dropping in. Listen, a buzzer-beater in a Game 7? That’s the stuff of legend. Leonard ended the game with 41 points, a performance that underscored his MVP-caliber talent. You could almost feel the collective gasp of the entire Scotiabank Arena and the millions of fans watching worldwide.
The 2004 Western Conference Semifinals featured one of the most shocking upsets in NBA history. The 8th seed Golden State Warriors demolished the 1st seed Dallas Mavericks in six games. Baron Davis led the charge with fearless play, averaging 25 points, nearly 6 rebounds, and over 5 assists per game in the series. The “We Believe” Warriors made everyone think twice about underestimating an underdog. It wasn’t just about numbers, though. It was the intensity, the grit, and the passion that made this series unforgettable. Fans and analysts alike still talk about this upset, reminding us that anything is possible in sports.
Thinking about epic performances, how can one forget Michael Jordan’s “Flu Game” in the 1997 NBA Finals? Jordan dropped 38 points despite being visibly drained and ill. His performance in Game 5 against the Utah Jazz is forever etched in NBA lore. With just 25 seconds to go and the game tied, Jordan sank a three-pointer to give the Chicago Bulls the lead. I mean, 38 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block while playing sick? Talk about clutch. If there were ever any doubts about Jordan being the greatest of all time, this game put those doubts to rest.
In recent years, one of the most talked-about playoff games has to be Damian Lillard’s performance in the first round of the 2019 playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Lillard ended the series with a dagger three-pointer from near half-court, scoring 50 points in the game. The shot not only eliminated the Thunder but also marked one of the coldest game-winners in NBA history. And the post-shot wave goodbye to OKC? Absolutely savage. A true defining moment for Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers franchise.
The 2001 NBA playoffs gave us Allen Iverson’s unforgettable Game 1 performance in the NBA Finals against the heavily favored Los Angeles Lakers. Iverson scored 48 points, including a memorable step-over on Tyronn Lue after hitting a crucial late-game jumper. Although the 76ers eventually lost the series, Iverson’s heart, tenacity, and skill are celebrated to this day. Scoring 48 points against a team that had gone undefeated in the playoffs up to that point? Impressive doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Remember 2010, when the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers battled it out in a seven-game series? Game 7 was a defensive slugfest, and Kobe Bryant, not known for having his best shooting performance that night, still found a way to contribute. He grabbed 15 rebounds—a career-high in a Finals game—to go along with his 23 points. The Lakers secured their 16th NBA title with an 83-79 victory, and Bryant earned Finals MVP honors. Even when not at his best, Kobe showed why he was one of the fiercest competitors to ever play the game.
Now, if defense is your thing, you’d probably love the 2008 Finals Game 4 between the Celtics and Lakers. The Celtics staged one of the biggest comebacks in Finals history, rallying from a 24-point deficit. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett displayed incredible resilience and teamwork, proving why they were known as the “Big Three.” Pierce scored 20 points, Garnett added 16, and Allen chipped in with 19. Defense wins championships, and this game underscored that maxim perfectly.
These games, and many others, are reasons why the NBA playoffs are such a captivating spectacle. The unforgettable moments, the larger-than-life performances, and the history-making games keep fans coming back year after year. If you haven’t already, make sure to check out arena plus for more highlights and in-depth analysis of these incredible playoff moments. These moments capture why basketball, at its highest level, is genuinely a beautiful game. So, what are your favorite NBA playoff moments? I’m sure everyone has their own list, filled with unforgettable games and performances.