Ranking Jamal Murray’s daggers vs. Lakers among craziest NBA playoff game winners

Although the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic in the 2009 Eastern Conference finals, LeBron James was the bright spot for Cleveland. After losing Game 1, James and the Cavs fought back in Game 2 with James sinking a crazy buzzer-beating three off an inbounds pass. To make matters more interesting, James only had one second to sink the shot.

9. Kobe Bryant and Lakers take 3-1 series lead over Suns

Kobe Bryant carved out a reputation for his insane moments in the clutch. There’s no doubt that the Mamba Mentality comes alive when the game is on the line with a few seconds to go.

In fact, Bryant took control for the Lakers in Game 4 of the 2006 first-round NBA Playoffs series with the Phoenix Suns. Not only did the Black Mamba make the game-tying shot, but he also hit the buzzer-beating fadeaway over two defenders to seal the game. Unfortunately, the Lakers still fell to the Suns in seven games.

8. Jamal Murray leads Nuggets to a 2-0 series lead over Lakers

Jamal Murray is a bad man, especially against the Lakers in the NBA Playoffs. With the Lakers knocking on the door in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets, Murray went to work in the clutch.

Despite being defended by a much bigger Anthony Davis, Murray went into his bag by resorting to his signature step-back midrange jumper to drain the shot at the buzzer to break the hearts of Lakers fans.

7. The bank is open for Derrick Rose

LeBron James pretty much dominated the East for most of the 2010s. However, if there’s one player who made it difficult, it was Derrick Rose.

In the 2015 Eastern Conference semifinals, Rose and the Chicago Bulls managed to go up 2-1 after he managed to sink a pull-up 3-pointer off the glass at the buzzer. But after making the game winner, Rose didn’t look as happy compared to the time he won a game of ping pong.

6. LeBronto takes over

When LeBron James played for the Cavaliers, it’s safe to say that the Toronto Raptors just couldn’t get a break against him. Time and time again, James and the Cavs found a way to deny the Raptors in the postseason.

In fact, the Raptors would only win a championship once The King took his talents to Los Angeles. But while in Cleveland, James even managed to sweep the Raptors in 2018. In Game 3, James made a buzzer-beating floater to take a commanding series lead.

5. Dame Time ends playoff drought

Fourteen years without an NBA Playoffs series win for the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard took care of business against the Houston Rockets. Just in his sophomore season, Lillard gave the Blazers fans a treat by ending the series in spectacular fashion.

With only one victory left to end the postseason slump, Lillard caught an inbounds pass and settled for a shot from the parking lot to hit all net at the buzzer.

4. Jamal Murray eliminates Lakers for good

After sinking the game winner in Game 2 of the 2024 Playoffs against the Lakers, Murray brought the same killer mentality in Game 5 to lead the Nuggets past the Lakers for good.

Instead of going right like the previous time, Murray decided to go left and hit a last-second stab to send the Lakers home. He remains the only NBA player in history to make two game-winning field goals in the same playoff series, according to sources.

3. Kawhi Leonard takes care of business to help Raptors advance

No one really expected Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors to win it all in 2019. However, fans certainly started to believe after Leonard took matters into his own hands by sending Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers home in the second round.

In Game 7, Leonard attempted a tough fadeaway with the game tied in the final seconds of the game. Thanks to a lucky bounce, Leonard’s shot went in, propelling the Raptors to the Eastern Conference finals en route to an NBA title.

2. Dame Time takes a ‘bad shot’ to send Thunder home

Most people love to watch Dame Time, but don’t ask the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is due to Game 5 of the first round of the 2019 Playoffs. The Blazers were just one game away to put away the Thunder for good.

With several seconds remaining, Lillard decided to milk the clock out with a much bigger Paul George defending him. Surprisingly, Lillard pulled up from 37 feet and managed to sink the fadeaway for the series win. Bitter about the shot, George called it a “bad shot.”

1. Michael Jordan’s final shot as a Bull

Arguably the most iconic game winner in playoff history, Michael Jordan hit his final shot in a Bulls uniform in dramatic fashion, He hit a crossover before pulling up with a few seconds remaining on the clock. The last shot also paved the way for Jordan and the Bulls to win their sixth NBA championship, completing the second three-peat.