# The 15 Greatest NBA Finals Moments of All Time

> The NBA Finals have produced some of basketball's most iconic and heart-stopping moments. From Willis Reed's legendary entrance to LeBron's chase-down block, which moment stands above all others?

*By YPB Team · Published June 16, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-15-greatest-nba-finals-moments-of-all-time*

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## Current results (3 votes)

1. **Jordan's Last Shot** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 1000/1000)
   Michael Jordan's series-winning jumper over Bryon Russell in Game 6 of the 1998 Finals — the final moment of the Bulls' dynasty — became the most iconic image in basketball history.
2. **Dr. J's Baseline Reverse Layup** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 862/1000)
   Julius Erving's behind-the-backboard scooping layup in Game 4 of the 1980 Finals left Magic Johnson calling it 'the greatest move I've ever seen in a basketball game.'
3. **Cavaliers' 3-1 Comeback** — 33.33% (1 votes · score 801/1000)
   In 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers became the only team in NBA history to win a championship after trailing 3-1, completing a miracle comeback against the 73-win Golden State Warriors.
4. **Jordan's Flu Game** — 0% (0 votes · score 632/1000)
   Despite suffering severe illness — widely attributed to food poisoning — Michael Jordan poured in 38 points in Game 5 of the 1997 Finals, collapsing into Scottie Pippen's arms after the final buzzer.
5. **LeBron's Chase-Down Block** — 0% (0 votes · score 632/1000)
   LeBron James sprinted down the court in the final minute of Game 7 in 2016 to swat Andre Iguodala's layup off the backboard, preserving a tie that Cleveland eventually won in overtime.
6. **Magic's Sky Hook** — 0% (0 votes · score 548/1000)
   Magic Johnson's baby sky hook with two seconds left in Game 4 of the 1987 Finals sealed an improbable Lakers win over the Celtics in what Magic called the greatest play of his life.
7. **Ray Allen's Corner Three** — 0% (0 votes · score 449/1000)
   With 5.2 seconds left in a do-or-die Game 6 in 2013, Ray Allen back-stepped to the corner and swished a three-pointer that saved the Heat's season and became one of the most clutch shots ever made.
8. **Willis Reed's Entrance** — 0% (0 votes · score 448/1000)
   In Game 7 of the 1970 Finals, an injured Willis Reed limped onto Madison Square Garden's court, instantly energizing the Knicks to their first championship over the Lakers.
9. **Shaq's Three-Peat Dominance** — 0% (0 votes · score 448/1000)
   Shaquille O'Neal's historic run of three consecutive Finals MVPs from 2000 to 2002 produced some of the most physically dominant individual performances in championship history.
10. **Dirk's Signature Fadeaway** — 0% (0 votes · score 448/1000)
   Dirk Nowitzki's one-legged fadeaway became the signature image of the Mavericks' 2011 championship run, where he outdueled LeBron James and Dwyane Wade in an iconic underdog triumph.
11. **Steph Curry's 2022 Finals MVP** — 0% (0 votes · score 329/1000)
   After seven years of championships, injuries, and criticism about his Finals record, Stephen Curry delivered an unmatched 34-point Game 6 performance to finally claim the MVP trophy.
12. **Allen Iverson's Crossover on Byron Scott** — 0% (0 votes · score 329/1000)
   Iverson's explosive 48-point explosion in Game 1 of the 2001 Finals against the heavily-favored Lakers — including stepping over Tyronn Lue — was the greatest individual Finals performance of the era.
13. **OG Anunoby's Game-Winner** — 0% (0 votes · score 329/1000)
   OG Anunoby's buzzer-beating mid-range jumper for the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals delivered Madison Square Garden its most electric moment in decades.
14. **Kyrie's Three Over Curry** — 0% (0 votes · score 183/1000)
   Kyrie Irving's step-back three over Stephen Curry with 53 seconds left in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals put Cleveland ahead for good, completing the greatest comeback in championship history.
15. **Magic Plays Center** — 0% (0 votes · score 183/1000)
   In Game 6 of the 1980 Finals, a 20-year-old Magic Johnson started at center in place of an injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and dropped 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists to clinch the championship.

Tags: sports, basketball, nba, classics, legends, all-time