Some of the most memorable NBA and college basketball moments come as the game is counting down and it reaches its final moments. Here’s a look at the ten greatest buzzer beaters of all-time.
Robert Horry
When the Los Angeles Lakers took on the San Antonio Spurs in the 2002 playoffs, Robert Horry had a chance to play hero in Game 4 of the series. After Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant both missed layups the ball was swatted out past the three point line where Horry picked up the ball, rose up for a three-pointer and made the shot at the buzzer. That gave the Lakers an 87-85 victory.
John Stockton
The Utah Jazz and the Houston Rockets squared off in the 1997 NBA Western Conference Finals. With the Jazz leading 3 games to 2, Game 6 at Houston was tied in the final seconds. As the clock ticked down, Stockton rose up in the final seconds and the star point guard hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Jazz a 103-100 victory.
Nick Van Exel
The Los Angeles Lakers trailed the San Antonio Spurs 3 games to 1 and were forced to go to the Alamo City to stay alive. Trailing the Spurs by a point, guard Nick Van Exel hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to turn defeat into sudden victory.
Michael Jordan
Many people believe Jordan is the greatest player in NBA history. A big part of his legend was formed in Game 5 of the Chicago Bulls’ playoff series with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1989. In the final seconds of the best-of-5 series, the Bulls trailed the Cavs by a point and the Bulls had the ball. Jordan refused to let the Bulls lose, rising up over guard Craig Ehlo and hitting the series-winning shot as the Bulls took a 101-100 victory.
