With the NBA Finals taking place this month, we look back at the greatest performances through the league’s history
1962
Bill Russell saves the Boston Celtics with a herculean 30-point, 40-rebound effort in a winner-takes-all Game 7 matchup, tying his own 1960 NBA Finals rebounding record.
1976
Garfield Heard of the Phoenix Suns hits a 20-foot jumper against the Boston Celtics with one second left on the clock, forcing the first triple overtime in NBA Finals history.
1998
With a steal, crossover dribble and 20-foot, game-winning jumper – and what was his final shot before his second retirement – Michael Jordan wraps up the championship for the Chicago Bulls.
2013
With the shot clock turned off and the San Antonio Spurs ready to celebrate a championship, the Miami Heat’s Ray Allen nails a three-pointer to send Game 6 – which the Heat then win – into overtime.
2016
After clawing their way back from a 3-1 deficit against the Golden State Warriors, the Cleveland Cavaliers claim the title thanks to a dazzling 25-foot jumper by point guard Kyrie Irving.
This article was originally published in the June 2018 issue of SilverKris magazine.
