Ever since Stephen Curry rained in what Ian Eagle immediately and perfectly dubbed the “Golden Dagger” in this summer’s Olympics, I’ve been thinking about where that shot ranks among the most iconic shots I’ve seen throughout my lifetime. Roughly, that dates back to the early 1990s, when I really started watching NBA basketball.
But obviously that’s an arbitrary and highly personal cutoff. So then I narrowed it to the 2000s. That takes out all the Michael Jordan shots, the Reggie Miller eight points in nine seconds, the Larry Johnson four-point play and the Mario Elie kiss of death, the Alonzo Mourning fall-on-his-back buzzer beater, the Steve Kerr and John Paxson Finals winners, the Magic Johnson All-Star Game 3-pointer, the Patrick Ewing missed finger roll and a bunch of others.
Those shots will never be forgotten, but they also won’t be on this list. Other shots that won’t make this list: Dunks and free throws. Dunks are their own category, and free throws aren’t field goals. That removes Klay Thompson walking to the line and sinking a pair on a torn ACL in the 2019 Finals, the famous Kobe Bryant lob to Shaquille O’Neal in the 2000 Western Conference finals, and Vince Carter’s dunk over seven-footer Frederic Weis in the 2000 Olympics. All other shots qualify.
So, without further ado, here are my 21 most iconic shots by NBA players of the 21st century. Note: They aren’t all game-winners, and they didn’t all come in the playoffs. The unofficial barometer of these rankings is how clear the shot remains in the average fan’s head, or how quickly someone would recall the shot. If it’s an “oh yeah, I forgot about that one” shot, it’s further down on the list. Here we go.
21. Dirk stamps out Heat (2011)
It’s too bad that this shot isn’t even more memorable, because it was the signature shot of one of the more signature championships of this century. Dallas was well on its way to going down 2-0 in the 2011 Finals as Miami’s Big 3 had raced out to 15-point lead with just over seven minutes to play in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks proceeded to close the game on a 22-5 run, with Dirk Nowitzki scoring Dallas’ final nine points including this game-winning lefty scoop with 3.6 seconds to play, before going on to win the series in six.
20. Durant’s Game 3 dagger (2017)
When Kevin Durant pulled up for this transition 3 in Game 3 of the 2017 Finals, with the Warriors down two and under a minute to play, and being that it was over LeBron James, a lot of silly symbolism talk started going around about it signaling Durant’s official supplanting of James as the world’s best player. That wasn’t true. But Durant wasn’t far off, and still isn’t, and he was absolutely ridiculous in this series in averaging over 35 PPG on 56/47/93 shooting splits.
Durant buried another Game 3 dagger in the 2018 Finals, but in that one the Warriors were already winning. This one was different. Cleveland was right there to win this game and and potentially make it a series at 2-1. Durant ended any thought of that. James was clearly worried about getting beat with Durant coming at him with a head of steam, but you just can’t give KD this kind of space when a 3-pointer beats you and a two only ties.
19. Luka dances on Gobert’s grave (2024)
This is the most recent NBA shot on our list. Game 2 of the 2024 Western Conference finals. Mavs trail by two as the final seconds tick down. Luka Doncic, who has already hit a number of memorable shots in his young career, gets the switch he wants and goes to work one on one against poor Rudy Gobert, who is on an island and has no chance of staying connected as Doncic goes into his bag for his patented step-back.
After hitting this shot, Doncic had some choice words for Gobert, who is, shall we say, less than liked by a lot of NBA players. That’s part of the indelible memory of the shot itself. The bigger question here is why Gobert was in the game in the first place. Minnesota coach Chris Finch confirmed after the game that the plan was to switch all screens, in which case, Doncic hunting Gobert was inevitable. Finch put his big man in an impossible situation, and Luka made them pay dearly.
18. LeBron works his Magic (2009)
LeBron James went wild in the 2009 Eastern Conference finals against the Magic by averaging 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists. It wasn’t enough as Orlando eliminated the Cavs in six, but LeBron still walked away with the signature shot of the series and of his young career with a buzzer-beating 3 to steal Game 2. The shot. The reaction. It’s all etched clear as day in our collective basketball memory.
17. Curry puts Clippers in blender (2015)
Stephen Curry changed basketball in two ways, with his ability to shoot from virtually unlimited distances and off the dribble with a level of efficiency that never could’ve been imagined.
He completely redefined the concept of a “good shot,” exemplified by his freewheeling move through the Clippers defense, resembling Curly Neal of the Harlem Globetrotters, before sinking a shot that would be considered terrible for anyone else in basketball history. Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the unconventional nature of the shot, stating that despite initial doubts, he realized that it was a great shot because it was Steph Curry taking it. Paul, known for struggling in playoff series, had a redemption moment in 2015 when he led the Clippers to a series comeback against the Spurs and hit the game-winning shot in Game 7. The shot, captured in a cool angle, showcased the difficulty of the shot as Paul narrowly evaded Tim Duncan’s fingertips.
LeBron James made history by surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s career scoring leader with a simple 15-foot fallaway shot against the Thunder. Despite its simplicity, the shot was highly anticipated as fans and media tracked his progress towards the record. Kevin Durant’s near game-winning shot in the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Bucks was a matter of inches, with his toe barely grazing the line, turning a potential 3-pointer into a 2-pointer. The what-ifs that stemmed from this moment included alternate scenarios where various players could have won championships or changed teams based on the outcome of that shot.
Kobe Bryant’s last shot in 2016, part of a 60-point farewell performance against the Jazz, was a memorable moment in NBA history, showcasing his signature moves and refusal to give in to defeat. LeBron’s banked buzzer-beater against the Raptors in 2018 was a cruel blow to Toronto, sealing a sweep for Cleveland in the Eastern Conference semis. Derek Fisher’s iconic 0.4-second shot in 2004 remains a memorable moment in NBA history. Despite the passage of time, the image of Fisher catching an inbound pass with his back to the basket and 0.4 seconds left on the clock, only to swiftly turn around and sink a jumper to shock the Spurs in the 2004 Western Conference finals, still resonates with basketball fans. The incredible feat of catching and shooting in just 0.4 seconds, with his back turned no less, left viewers in awe and solidified Fisher’s place in basketball lore. This unforgettable moment continues to be etched in the minds of NBA enthusiasts around the world. The Portland Trail Blazers’ Damian Lillard’s iconic buzzer-beater against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2019 playoffs will forever be etched in NBA history. The intense rivalry between Lillard and the Thunder players, especially Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroder, added another layer of drama to the already epic moment. Lillard’s wave goodbye to the Thunder bench after sinking the game-winning shot was a savage and unforgettable sendoff.
In 2019, Kawhi Leonard made headlines with his buzzer-beater against the Philadelphia 76ers that bounced on the rim before dropping in. The shot had the power to change the course of several careers and franchise fortunes. The Raptors went on to win their first championship, and Leonard’s move to the Clippers with Paul George followed, all thanks to that unforgettable shot.
Allen Iverson’s iconic step-over move on Ty Lue during the 2001 NBA Finals may not have been a game-winner, but it remains one of the most enduring images in NBA history. Iverson’s performance in that game, combined with the step-over, has solidified its place in basketball lore.
Ray Allen’s clutch shot for the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals altered the course of history for LeBron James and the Heat. Without Allen’s three-pointer, the Heat may have lost the series, and LeBron’s legacy could have been drastically different. The shot paved the way for the Heat to win the championship.
Kyrie Irving’s game-winning shot in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals against the Golden State Warriors is a moment that basketball fans will never forget. Irving’s dagger shot to put the Cleveland Cavaliers ahead in the final moments of the game sealed their historic comeback from a 3-1 deficit against a 73-win Warriors team. It remains one of the most legendary shots in NBA history, showcasing Irving’s clutch gene and the Cavs’ resilience.
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