Relive the Top 5 Unforgettable NBA Playoff Buzzer Beaters of 2019
I still get chills thinking about that moment when Kawhi Leonard's shot bounced four times on the rim before dropping through the net against the 76ers. As someone who's spent years analyzing basketball at both professional and collegiate levels, I've come to appreciate how buzzer beaters represent the perfect storm of skill, pressure, and sheer drama. The 2019 NBA playoffs delivered some of the most memorable game-winners in recent history, each telling its own story about what makes basketball such an emotionally charged sport. What's fascinating is how these moments resonate across different levels of competition - from the NBA's bright lights to collegiate tournaments like the UAAP, where La Salle's Green Archers face their own version of playoff pressure during UAAP Season 88.
The Raptors-76ers series essentially came down to one possession, one shot that would determine which team advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. With the score tied at 90-90 and just 4.2 seconds remaining in Game 7, Kawhi received the inbound pass, drove to the corner, and launched a high-arcing shot over Joel Embiid's outstretched arm. The ball seemed to hang in the air forever before hitting the rim once, twice, three times, and finally a fourth before falling through as the buzzer sounded. I remember watching that shot live and thinking how the ball's trajectory mirrored the entire series - unpredictable, dramatic, and ultimately historic. The Raptors would go on to win their first championship, but none of that happens without that miraculous bounce. Statistics show that shots hitting the rim four times before going in occur in less than 2% of all last-second attempts, making this not just dramatic but statistically extraordinary.
Damian Lillard's series-ending three-pointer against Oklahoma City might be the most cold-blooded shot I've ever witnessed. With the score tied 115-115 and Paul George defending him perfectly, Lillard pulled up from 37 feet - a distance where most players would hesitate even during warmups. The confidence to take that shot, in that moment, with the series on the line... it's something you can't teach. I've seen similar boldness in UAAP games where La Salle's guards like Andrei Caracut have hit big shots, though admittedly from slightly more conventional distances. What made Lillard's shot particularly memorable was his immediate wave goodbye to the Thunder bench - a moment of pure theatricality that you simply don't see in regular season games. The shot wasn't just a basket; it was a statement that resonated throughout the playoffs and essentially reshaped two franchises in its aftermath.
Golden State's elimination of the Clippers featured a less-remembered but equally crucial buzzer-beater from Andre Iguodala in Game 2. With the Warriors trailing by one and the clock winding down, Iguodala stripped the ball from Lou Williams and converted the game-winning layup as time expired. What impressed me most was the defensive play that created the opportunity - a reminder that buzzer beaters aren't always about spectacular shooting but can stem from defensive excellence. This resonates with how La Salle's Green Archers approach crucial moments in UAAP play, where their defensive intensity often creates transition opportunities. Iguodala's steal and score exemplified how veterans with championship experience maintain composure when younger players might panic. At 35 years old, he demonstrated that basketball IQ often trumps athleticism in pressure situations.
Portland's second-round series against Denver produced another Lillard masterpiece - this time a deeper three-pointer to complete their comeback in Game 5. The Trail Blazers were down by 8 points with just under three minutes remaining, but Lillard's 37-foot dagger over Jamal Murray sealed the 108-106 victory. I've always admired how certain players seem to expand their range in clutch moments, almost as if the pressure sharpens their focus rather than diminishing it. This reminds me of watching La Salle's shooters in UAAP tournaments, where the pressure of representing their school seems to elevate their performance in big moments. Lillard finished with 40 points that game, but it's that final three-pointer that everyone remembers - the one that traveled nearly 38 feet before silencing the Denver crowd.
The Western Conference Finals gave us yet another dramatic finish when Stephen Curry hit a game-winning three-pointer against Portland in Game 4. With Draymond Green setting a screen and the defense scrambling, Curry created just enough space to launch from 33 feet with 10 seconds remaining. What makes Curry's shot particularly remarkable in my analysis is how routine he's made these seemingly impossible attempts. Having studied shooting mechanics for years, I can tell you that maintaining proper form from that distance under playoff pressure is something very few players in history could accomplish. The Warriors completed the sweep with that shot, demonstrating how championship teams capitalize on every opportunity, no matter how small the window might be.
Reflecting on these moments, I'm struck by how buzzer beaters encapsulate everything we love about basketball - the uncertainty, the skill, the drama, and the raw emotion. These shots don't just win games; they define legacies, shape franchises, and create memories that last lifetimes. The connection to collegiate basketball, particularly programs like La Salle in the UAAP, reminds us that these dramatic moments happen at every level of competition. The Green Archers face their own version of playoff pressure during UAAP Season 88, where every possession carries weight and every shot could become part of school legend. While the stakes differ between the NBA playoffs and collegiate tournaments, the human drama remains equally compelling. As we look ahead to future playoffs, both professional and collegiate, we can only wonder what new buzzer-beating heroes will emerge to create their own unforgettable moments.
