The 3 Luckiest Plays in NBA History

In the fast-paced, high-stakes world of the NBA, luck can sometimes play a larger role than skill. While individual talent and team strategy are crucial, there are moments where the basketball gods seem to intervene, leading to improbable outcomes. This article delves into three of the luckiest plays in NBA history, highlighting how chance and fortune can dramatically impact the outcome of a game.

1. Michael Jordan’s Game 6 Buzzer Beater (1998 NBA Finals)

The 1998 NBA Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz was a nail-biter. In Game 6, with the Bulls trailing by one point and seconds remaining, Michael Jordan received the ball on the wing. He drove towards the basket, drawing double-team coverage. With his back to the basket, Jordan attempted a fadeaway shot over two defenders. The shot was off-balance and appeared destined to miss. However, the ball bounced off the rim, then off the backboard, and miraculously found its way through the hoop as the buzzer sounded. The Bulls won the game, and the series, securing their sixth championship in eight years.

This play is considered one of the luckiest in NBA history because of the sheer improbability of the shot going in. The ball had to bounce off the rim, then the backboard, and finally through the hoop, all within a split second. Many argue that Jordan’s shot was a near miss, and the outcome was decided by pure luck.

2. The “Miracle of the Meadowlands” (1981 NBA Playoffs)

The 1981 NBA Playoffs saw a dramatic clash between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks. In Game 5, with the Sixers leading by one point and seconds remaining, the Knicks had possession of the ball. The Knicks’ point guard, World B. Free, attempted a jump shot, but the ball missed the basket. The Sixers’ center, Darryl Dawkins, grabbed the rebound, but he fumbled the ball out of bounds. The referee ruled that the Knicks had possession, giving them another chance to tie the game. The Knicks’ coach, Red Holzman, drew up a play, but the ball ended up in the hands of the Knicks’ center, Bill Cartwright. Cartwright, with only seconds left, threw a desperate pass towards the basket, hoping to find a teammate. The ball landed in the hands of the Knicks’ forward, Spencer Haywood, who was standing near the baseline. Haywood had no time to react, so he simply tossed the ball towards the basket. The ball miraculously bounced off the backboard, then off the rim, and into the basket as the buzzer sounded. The Knicks won the game and went on to win the series.

This play is considered one of the luckiest in NBA history because of the series of improbable events that led to the game-winning shot. The Knicks had no time to set up a play, and the ball ended up in the hands of Haywood, who had no time to react. The fact that the ball bounced off the backboard and the rim before going in makes this play even more improbable.

3. The “Game of 7” (2016 NBA Finals)

The 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors was one of the most dramatic series in NBA history. In Game 7, with the Warriors leading by three points and seconds remaining, the Cavaliers had possession of the ball. The Cavaliers’ point guard, Kyrie Irving, attempted a jump shot, but the ball missed the basket. The Warriors’ center, Andrew Bogut, grabbed the rebound, but he lost control of the ball. The ball bounced around for a few seconds before ending up in the hands of the Cavaliers’ forward, LeBron James. James, with only seconds left, attempted a three-pointer, but the shot missed the basket. The ball bounced off the rim, then off the backboard, and into the hands of the Cavaliers’ forward, J.R. Smith. Smith, with only seconds left, attempted a jump shot, but the ball missed the basket. The ball bounced off the rim, then off the backboard, and into the hands of the Cavaliers’ forward, Kevin Love. Love, with only seconds left, attempted a jump shot, but the ball missed the basket. The ball bounced off the rim, then off the backboard, and into the hands of the Cavaliers’ forward, Kyrie Irving. Irving, with only seconds left, attempted a jump shot, and the ball went in as the buzzer sounded. The Cavaliers won the game and the championship, becoming the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.

This play is considered one of the luckiest in NBA history because of the series of improbable events that led to the game-winning shot. The Cavaliers missed several shots, and the ball bounced around for several seconds before ending up in Irving’s hands. The fact that Irving was able to make the shot with only seconds left makes this play even more improbable.

These three plays are just a few examples of how luck can play a significant role in the NBA. While skill and strategy are essential, sometimes the basketball gods decide to intervene, creating moments that will be remembered for years to come. These plays highlight the unpredictability and excitement of the NBA, reminding us that anything can happen on any given night.