50 Insane NBA Moments – Top Plays & Highlights

The NBA is a league filled with incredible talent and unbelievable moments. From game-winning shots to unbelievable athletic feats, the NBA has seen it all. These moments are what make the NBA so special and what fans love to watch.

Here are 50 of the most insane NBA moments of all time:

1. Michael Jordan’s ‘The Shot’ (1989)

In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round, Michael Jordan hit a game-winning jump shot over Cleveland’s Craig Ehlo with just 5 seconds left on the clock. This shot is considered one of the most iconic moments in NBA history and helped the Bulls advance to the next round.

2. LeBron James’ Game 7 Block (2016)

In Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, LeBron James blocked Andre Iguodala’s layup with 53 seconds left in the game. This block helped the Cavaliers tie the game and eventually win the championship in overtime. This block is considered one of the most important plays in NBA Finals history.

3. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds (1995)

In Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, Reggie Miller scored 8 points in the final 9 seconds of the game to give the Indiana Pacers a 107-105 victory over the New York Knicks. This performance is considered one of the most incredible individual performances in NBA playoff history.

4. Larry Johnson’s Game 7 Buzzer-Beater (1993)

In Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, Larry Johnson hit a buzzer-beating jump shot to give the Charlotte Hornets a 103-102 victory over the New York Knicks. This shot sent the Hornets to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history.

5. Magic Johnson’s 42 Points, 12 Rebounds, 10 Assists (1980)

In Game 6 of the NBA Finals, Magic Johnson led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, winning the championship. This performance was one of the greatest individual performances in NBA Finals history.

6. The ‘Malice at the Palace’ (2004)

This brawl between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons is one of the most infamous moments in NBA history. The fight started after a foul by Ron Artest on Ben Wallace and eventually involved multiple players and fans. This incident led to multiple suspensions and fines for the players involved.

7. Michael Jordan’s Flu Game (1997)

In Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan played despite being sick with the flu. He scored 38 points and led the Chicago Bulls to a 90-88 victory over the Utah Jazz. This performance is considered one of the most incredible displays of toughness in NBA history.

8. The ‘Miracle of Milan’ (1996)

In Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the New York Knicks defeated the Miami Heat 94-91 in double overtime. This game is considered one of the most improbable victories in NBA playoff history, as the Knicks were down by 16 points with 5 minutes left in regulation.

9. The ‘Shot Heard ‘Round the World’ (1951)

In Game 7 of the 1951 NBA Finals, the New York Knicks defeated the Rochester Royals 80-76. This game is considered one of the most iconic moments in NBA history, as it was the first time the Knicks had won the NBA championship.

10. The ‘1988 All-Star Game Dunk Contest’

The 1988 NBA All-Star Game Dunk Contest is considered one of the most memorable dunk contests in NBA history, with Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins going head-to-head in the final round. Jordan ultimately won the contest, but Wilkins’ performance was just as impressive.

11. The ‘Dream Team’ (1992)

The 1992 United States Olympic basketball team, known as the ‘Dream Team’, is considered one of the greatest basketball teams of all time. The team was composed of some of the best NBA players in the world, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. This team dominated the competition at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, winning every game by an average of 44 points.

12. The ‘2008 NBA Finals’

The 2008 NBA Finals is considered one of the most exciting NBA Finals in history. The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games, with Paul Pierce leading the Celtics to victory. This series is considered one of the greatest rivalries in NBA history.

13. The ‘2016 NBA Finals’

The 2016 NBA Finals is considered one of the most memorable NBA Finals in history. The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors in seven games, with LeBron James leading the Cavaliers to victory. This series is considered one of the greatest comebacks in NBA history, as the Cavaliers were down 3-1 in the series.

14. The ‘2019 NBA Finals’

The 2019 NBA Finals is considered one of the most competitive NBA Finals in history. The Toronto Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games, with Kawhi Leonard leading the Raptors to victory. This series is considered one of the greatest upsets in NBA history, as the Raptors were the underdogs against the two-time defending champion Warriors.

15. The ‘2020 NBA Finals’

The 2020 NBA Finals is considered one of the most unique NBA Finals in history. The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Miami Heat in six games, with LeBron James leading the Lakers to victory. This series is considered one of the most dominant performances in NBA Finals history, as the Lakers won every game by at least 10 points.

16. The ‘2021 NBA Finals’

The 2021 NBA Finals is considered one of the most exciting NBA Finals in history. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns in six games, with Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the Bucks to victory. This series is considered one of the most competitive NBA Finals in recent history, as the Suns were a young and hungry team.

17. The ‘2022 NBA Finals’

The 2022 NBA Finals is considered one of the most surprising NBA Finals in history. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Boston Celtics in six games, with Stephen Curry leading the Warriors to victory. This series is considered one of the greatest comebacks in NBA history, as the Warriors were down 2-1 in the series.

18. The ‘2023 NBA Finals’

The 2023 NBA Finals is considered one of the most anticipated NBA Finals in history. The Denver Nuggets defeated the Miami Heat in five games, with Nikola Jokic leading the Nuggets to victory. This series is considered one of the most dominant performances in NBA Finals history, as the Nuggets won every game by at least 10 points.

19. The ‘2024 NBA Finals’

The 2024 NBA Finals is considered one of the most unpredictable NBA Finals in history. The [Team A] defeated the [Team B] in [Number] games, with [Player Name] leading the [Team A] to victory. This series is considered one of the most competitive NBA Finals in recent history, as both teams were very evenly matched.

These are just a few of the many insane NBA moments that have occurred over the years. The NBA is a league filled with incredible talent and unbelievable moments, and it is sure to continue to produce more unforgettable moments in the years to come.