10 Most Iconic NBA Moments in history

Michael Jordan's "The Shot" stands out as one of the most iconic moments in NBA history, as it was a clutch performance that showcased his greatness in a moment of intense pressure. On May 7, in the first round of the 1989 playoffs, there was a heated faceoff between Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Bulls were trailing by one point, with only three seconds left to the close of the game. Jordan welcomed an inbound pass and moved to the foul line, before hitting a jumper over Craig Ehlo, securing a 101-100 victory for the Bulls. He delivered a clutch shot that was dubbed “The Shot”, making it not just a career highlight, but an iconic performance. 

Game six of the Finals on June 8, 1980 featured a matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers. The game established a defining moment in NBA history, after Magic Johnson was pushed into the spotlight, following the sideline of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar after an ankle injury. 

Magic was a point guard, playing center in that game. Despite being a rookie, he had been burdened with a critical task of matching up Kareem’s exceptional performance; a task that he fulfilled beyond expectations. He put up a historic performance by accumulating 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists. 

This game positioned Magic as a versatile player and solidified his superstar status. It also cemented a strong foundation for legacy creation, given that he won the MVP award as a rookie. 

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson maintained a formidable rivalry in the 1980s, shaping the NBA and making a historical shift. The fierce competition between the two legends influenced both the popularity of their teams and the league. 

The rivalry germinated from their contrasting play styles, with Bird’s popularity emerging from his high basketball IQ, tenacity, and exceptional shooting, and Magic’s influence grounded on charisma and a flashy play style. 

Magic’s dumbfounding performance in the 1980 Finals as a rookie set the pace for their rivalry; the Lakers carried the day and the Celtics were climbing up the ranks. The rivalry intensified in the 1984 Finals, where Bird’s Celtics won after a series of seven intense games that bore unforgettable moments and highlighted Birds exceptional performance. Later in the 1985 Finals, the Lakers defeated the Celtics, avenging their previous loss. Magic stood out for his fruitful leadership and ground-breaking performance. 

The rivalry between Magic and Bird played an astounding role of elevating NBA’s popularity in the ‘80s, leading the growth of a diverse fanbase. Further, the rivalry epitomized into Celtics-Lakers rivalry that remains one of the most storied in NBA history. 

During the 2016 NBA Finals, a key matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors was underway. The Warriors had maintained an impressive NBA regular season record of 73 wins and the Cavaliers were looking to grab their first championship title in 52 years. 

Two minutes to the final blow, the Cavaliers were leading narrowly when Andre Iguodala threatened to interrupt the lead by driving the ball to the basket for what seemed like a sure scoring moment. At that moment, LeBron, who was trailing Iguodala, sprinted ahead of him and miraculously made a chase-down block, maintaining Cavaliers’ lead. The Cavaliers emerged victorious with a 93-89 lead, recording a historic clinch of their first NBA Championship title. 

LeBron’s defensive play is one of the most recognized in NBA history, as it gave the Cavaliers an iconic comeback from the 3-1 deficit and further ended their 52-year championship drought. 

January 22, 2006 marked a historic moment when Kobe Bryant delivered a unique and rare performance. In a matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Toronto Raptors, Kobe carried a huge expectation as the former’s primary scorer.

In the first half of the game, Kobe had already scored 26 points, although the Lakers were lagging behind by 14 points. The second half went to a surge, owing to Bryant’s explosive performance. He grabbed an astonishing 55 points. When the game came to a close, Kobe had accumulated 81 points, from the field, the three-point range, and the free-throw line. 

Kobe’s historic achievement of 81 points became the second highest, single game total in NBA history, after Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point record in 1962. The game ascertained Bryant’s excellent footwork and scoring prowess, rendering him one of the elite scorers in NBA history. 

Reggie Miller made an incredible feat in Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semi-finals, making the happenings of the event to be counted as one of the most memorable in NBA history. The Indiana Pacers had maintained an intense rivalry with the New York Knicks during the regular season and in their Game one playoffs faceoff, the stakes were high. 

Shortly before the game ended, just 18.7 seconds prior, the Knicks were staring at victory and the Pacers were trailing them by six points. Within five seconds, Miller made a three-pointer that minimized the Knick’s lead by three points. The Pacers made a foul that favored the Knicks with two free throws, reinstating their six-point lead. 

A second three-pointer came in for the Pacers, after Miller made the score, 14.2 seconds before the final whistle. Briefly after, with just 8.9 minutes left, the Knicks fouled, prompting Miller to make two free throws that led to a tie at 105-105. The final three-pointer by Miller came after intercepting an inbound pass, leading to Pacers clinching victory.

This game highlighted Miller’s exceptional clutch shooting skills, reinforcing his legacy as one of the best shooters in NBA history. His clutch performance earned him the nickname “The Knick Killer”, making it one of the most cited comebacks in the NBA. 

Game five of the 1997 NBA Finals featured an iconic performance from Michael Jordan, who was battling a severe flu. The Chicago Bulls were competing against Utah Jazz and a win for the Bulls was much needed, as it would move them closer to earning a fifth championship title. In the previous night, Jordan has contracted debilitating flu-like symptoms that threatened his ability to participate in the Finals. 

However, he activated his competitive spirit and went ahead to play. His first half performance has a sluggish takeoff but he later picked up momentum and scored 17 points in this half. The second half saw him escalate to an unstoppable performance that led to an accumulation of 38 total points and gave the Bulls a 90-88 victory. 

The “Flu Game” as it is often cited, remains one of the best, unprecedented performances in NBA history. It elevated Jordan’s determination, resilience and competitive nature, besides erecting an iconic career status. 

Kawhi Leonard created an unforgettable moment in Game seven of the 2019 playoffs, following an iconic shot that generated a palpating effect on fans and the audience. The game was a competitive faceoff between the Toronto Raptors and Philadelphia 76ers. The 3-3 series had been marked by intense games and heated rivalries and this particular game would culminate to a win-or-go-home outcome. 

Time was running out, with just seconds left for the curtains to close; the Raptors were looking at a two-point loss. It is then that Leonard welcomed an inbound pass and immediately dribbled to the corner to create space against Joel Embiid. He then launched a jumper shot that raced against time by dramatically dancing around the rim in four bounces, before dropping through the net. 

This buzz-beater moment was a saving grace for the Raptors, as it gave them a winning ticket for the next round. This encounter, greatly contributed to the Raptors winning their first NBA championship. It became a career highlight for Leonard and solidified his legacy as a clutch performer.

Wilt Chamberlain made a remarkable performance on March 2, 1962, in a game between the Philadelphia Warriors and the New York Knicks. Chamberlain was known as a strong force in the NBA and a score leader. This was a regular season game and from when it started, Chamberlain had maintained an early lead in scoring.

By the end of the game, Chamberlain had amazingly achieved 100 points, the highest scoring milestone that had never been achieved by any player before, in a single game. Chamberlain showcased his scoring prowess and an iconic achievement that is among the most unpopular and unmatched in NBA history.