The Most Iconic NBA Finals Moments of All Time: A Journey Through Basketball History

The NBA Finals are the pinnacle of basketball drama, where legends are forged, dynasties are cemented, and underdogs defy the odds. Over 75 years, the league has gifted fans unforgettable moments that transcend sports—heart-stopping plays, superhuman performances, and stories of triumph and heartbreak that define generations. In this deep dive, we’ll relive 10 iconic NBA Finals moments in granular detail, unpacking their significance and explaining why they remain etched in basketball lore. By the end, you’ll understand why these episodes are not just games, but cultural touchstones.

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1. 1969: Willis Reed’s Heroic Limp (Knicks vs. Lakers)

Willis Reed of the Knicks grabbed a rebound as Wilt Chamberlain of the Los Angeles Lakers looked on in a playoff game at Madison Square Garden in 1970

The Moment: Game 7 of the 1970 Finals. Knicks captain Willis Reed, battling a torn thigh muscle, stunned the Madison Square Garden crowd by limping onto the court moments before tip-off. Despite barely moving, he hit two early jumpers, igniting a fire in his team.

The Details Reed missed Game 6 entirely and was ruled out for Game 7. Yet his symbolic return galvanized the Knicks, who rode Walt Frazier’s 36-point, 19-assist masterpiece to a 113-99 win over Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and the Lakers.

Why It Matters: Reed’s courage epitomized leadership. His mere presence shifted the momentum, proving that inspiration can outweigh physical limitations. This moment birthed the idea of the “warrior ethos” in sports.

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2. 1980: Magic Johnson’s Rookie Revolution (Lakers vs. 76ers)

This Day In Lakers History: Magic Johnson Starts At Center Vs. 76ers In Game 6 Of 1980 NBA Finals/Manny Millan-Sports Illustrated

The Moment:A 20-year-old Magic Johnson started at center in Game 6, replacing an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and dropped 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists to clinch the title.

The Details:With Kareem sidelined (sprained ankle), Magic played all five positions, dominating Julius Erving’s Sixers in a 123-107 closeout. His skyhook—a move borrowed from Kareem—sealed his legend.

Why It Matters:Magic’s performance redefined versatility. A rookie carrying a franchise? Unheard of. This game foreshadowed his era-defining career and the Lakers’ “Showtime” dynasty.

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3. 1984: The Birth of Bird vs. Magic (Celtics vs. Lakers)

A more perfect set of rivals couldn’t have been carved out in a television writers room’ … Magic Johnson and Larry Bird in 1984./Photograph: Andrew D Bernstein/NBA/Getty Images

The Moment:The Celtics and Lakers’ first Finals clash in 15 years (1984) reignited the NBA’s greatest rivalry. Larry Bird’s trash talk and Game 7 heroics (27 points, 14 rebounds) edged Magic’s Lakers in a 111-102 slugfest.

The Details:The series had it all: Kevin McHale’s infamous “clothesline” on Kurt Rambis, Magic’s late-game blunders, and Boston’s sweltering Garden heat (no AC in Game 5). Bird’s MVP performance cemented his “Hick from French Lick” mythos.

Why It Matters:This rivalry saved the NBA. The 1980s Celtics-Lakers battles, fueled by Bird and Magic’s contrast (white vs. black, rural vs. urban), catapulted the league into the mainstream.

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4. 1997: Michael Jordan’s “Flu Game” (Bulls vs. Jazz)

Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan at the end of game five of the 1997 NBA Finals 11 June at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jordan scored 38 points leading the Bulls to a 90-88 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. AFP PHOTO/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit: JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)

The Moment: In Game 5 of the 1997 Finals, a visibly ailing Jordan scored **38 points**—including a clutch three-pointer—to give Chicago a 3-2 series lead.

The Details: Jordan battled severe dehydration (later revealed as food poisoning) and nearly collapsed during timeouts. Scottie Pippen physically carried him off the court post-game. The Bulls won 90-88, then closed out Utah in Game 6.

Why It Matters: This was Jordan’s ultimate “clutch gene” moment. His refusal to quit under dire circumstances became the blueprint for competitive greatness.

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5. 1998: “The Last Shot” (Bulls vs. Jazz)

The Moment: Jordan’s iconic Game 6 steal and game-winning jumper over Bryon Russell sealed Chicago’s sixth title and completed the second three-peat.

The Details: With 5.2 seconds left, Jordan stripped Karl Malone, dribbled upcourt, pushed off Russell (controversially), and sank the shot. The Bulls won 87-86, ending the Jordan-Pippen-Phil Jackson dynasty.

Why It Matters: The perfect finale to Jordan’s Bulls career. This shot immortalized him as the GOAT and remains the most replayed highlight in NBA history.

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6. 2005: Robert Horry’s “Big Shot Rob” Redemption (Spurs vs. Pistons)

2005: Robert Horry’s “Big Shot Rob” Redemption (Spurs vs. Pistons)/GETTY IMAGE/NewYork Times

The Moment: In Game 5 of a defensive slugfest, Horry scored 21 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including a game-winning three with 5.8 seconds left.

The Details: Horry’s explosion (21 of his 24 points in the final 17 minutes) gave the Spurs a 96-95 OT win. San Antonio eventually won the series in seven.

Why It Matters: Horry, a role player, delivered under pressure *again* (he hit clutch shots in seven Finals series). This moment underscores the value of “glue guys” in championship runs.

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7. 2013: Ray Allen’s Corner Three (Heat vs. Spurs)

Late in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals, Ray Allen hit a clutch 3-pointer to save Miami. image Credit/nba.com

The Moment: With 5.2 seconds left in Game 6, Ray Allen’s step-back three-pointer saved Miami’s season, forcing OT in a game they’d eventually win 103-100.

The Details: Down 3-2 in the series, the Heat trailed by five with 28 seconds left. LeBron missed a three, but Chris Bosh grabbed the rebound and kicked it to Allen, whose shot tied the game. Miami won Game 7 for LeBron’s second ring.

Why It Matters: Allen’s shot altered legacies. Without it, LeBron might have faced endless criticism for the 2011-2014 Heat era. Instead, it became a defining resilience story.

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8. 2016: LeBron’s Block, Kyrie’s Three (Cavaliers vs. Warriors)

LeBron James’ chasedown block of Andre Iguodala in Game 7 of The Finals is one the most clutch defensive plays in NBA history/Getty image /nba.com

The Moment: Down 3-1, LeBron’s chase-down block on Andre Iguodala and Kyrie Irving’s step-back three over Steph Curry in Game 7 delivered Cleveland’s first title.

The Details: The block preserved a 89-89 tie with 1:50 left. Kyrie’s three (53 seconds remaining) gave the Cavs a lead they’d never relinquish. LeBron finished with 27-11-11 and a Finals-record 7 blocks in Game 7.

Why It Matters:This comeback (the first 3-1 reversal in Finals history) redeemed LeBron’s Cleveland legacy and shattered the “Warriors invincibility” narrative.

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9. 2019: The Fall of the Warriors Dynasty (Raptors vs. Warriors)

The Golden State Warriors had no answer for Kawhi Leonard in Game 4 of the N.B.A. finals. Credit Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press, via Associated Press

The Moment: A hobbled Kevin Durant ruptured his Achilles in Game 5, followed by Klay Thompson’s ACL tear in Game 6, as Toronto clinched its first title.

The Details: Durant returned prematurely from a calf injury, collapsing on the court after a routine move. Thompson, after dropping 30 points, landed awkwardly on a dunk attempt. The Raptors won 114-110, ending Golden State’s reign.

Why It Matters: This series exposed the human cost of chasing titles. Durant and Klay’s injuries marked the end of the Warriors’ superteam era.

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10. 2020: Kobe’s Legacy and the Bubble (Lakers vs. Heat)

NBA Finals 2020: Kobe Bryant's presence felt by Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat/credit-sky sports

The Moment: LeBron and Anthony Davis led the Lakers to a title in the isolated NBA “bubble,” dedicating the win to Kobe Bryant after his tragic death.

The Details: The Lakers wore “Black Mamba” jerseys in honor of Kobe, who died in a helicopter crash earlier that year. LeBron’s 28-14-10 triple-double in Game 6 sealed the 4-2 series win.

Why It Matters: The 2020 Finals symbolized perseverance—through a pandemic, social justice protests, and grief. It bridged Kobe’s legacy with LeBron’s quest for greatness.

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Why These Moments Resonate

These episodes aren’t just about basketball—they’re about humanity. Willis Reed’s grit, Magic’s audacity, Jordan’s ruthlessness, and LeBron’s redemption arc speak to universal themes: resilience, legacy, and the pursuit of excellence. For casual fans, they’re thrilling highlights. For die-hards, they’re chapters in a living history book.