25 Greatest NBA Playoff Moments(First Round)

After almost six months of action and 82 games, the real season begins for the NBA as the playoffs begin this weekend.
As 16 teams prepare for the nearly two-month grind, I will comply a list of the greatest moments from each of the four rounds of the NBA playoffs.
I start with the 25 Greatest First Round Moments in NBA Playoff history.
For this list, I have put in moments from when the league expanded the postseason to 16 teams in 1984, so in essence all these moments occurred in the round of 16 or eight teams per conference.
Also of note, the NBA used the best-of-five format for this round from 1984-2002 before going to the best-of-seven format in 2003.
So with that out of the way, here now are what I think are the 25 greatest first round moments in NBA playoff history:
25. 1988-Jordan’s Back-to-Back 50 Point Performances
Michael Jordan had eight games in the playoffs where he scored at least 50 points, with two of them coming in the same series in 1988 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In Game 1, Jordan put up 50 as he shot 19-of-35 from the field and hit all 12 of his free throws to lead the Bulls to a 104-93 win, then followed that 50-point performance with another 50+ point performance as he scored 55 on 24-of-45 shooting and 7-of-7 from the free throw line in Chicago’s 106-101 win to become the first player in NBA playoff history to have two games with at least 50 points in the same playoff series as the Bulls would eventually defeat the Cavs in five games.

Michael Jordan averaged 45.2 points per game in the Bulls' five-game series with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

24. 2003-McGrady’s Premature Declaration
Following a 100-92 win in Game 4 of his team’s first round series against the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic star Tracy McGrady said “It feels good to get in the second round”.
McGrady must have forgotten that the NBA had gone to a best-of-seven format for the first time in the 2003 playoffs, so the Magic needed one more win to advance to the second round.

They couldn’t get that one more win as the Pistons won the next three games to become the seventh team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a series.

Tracy McGardy and the Orlando Magic would lose the last three games of their 2003 playoff series against the Detroit Pistons by a combined 61 points.

23. 2011-Grizzlies Stun Spurs
One year before the Sixers’ upset of the Bulls, another #8 seed defeated a #1 seed in the first round.
The Memphis Grizzlies, who had never won a playoff game in their previous three postseason appearances, stun the 61-21 San Antonio Spurs in six games thanks to their “Grit-and-Grind” style of basketball, intense defense and low-post offense, to become the fourth #8 seed to defeat a #1 seed.

Zach Randolph averaged 21.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in the Grizzlies' 2011 upset of the Spurs.

22. 2002-Nets Survive Reggie’s Onslaught
Even in defeat, Reggie Miller lives up to his reputation as one of the greatest clutch players in NBA history as he nearly leads the Pacers to a upset over the New Jersey Nets in Game 5 of their opening-round series
First, Miller hits a 40-foot three-pointer as time expires to send the game into overtime with the game tied at 96, then forced the game into a second overtime with a game-tying dunk with 3.1 seconds left in the first overtime period.
But, Miller and the Pacers went cold in the second overtime as they scored only two points, with Miller going 0-for-4, as the Nets pulled away to a 120-109 win and move on to the second round.

21. 2011-Roy’s Last Stand
Having being reduced to coming off the bench because of bad knees, 2007 Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy helps lead the Blazers to an improbable comeback over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of their first round series.
Down 67-44 with 1:16 left in the third quarter, Roy scores 21 points, including what turns out to be the game-winner on a bank shot with 49 seconds left to give Portland a 84-82 win to even the series at 2-2.
The Blazers would lose the next two games to be eliminated, then would lose Roy to retirement in the offseason because due to his knees.

20. 2008-Duncan for Three?!

Down 104-101 in overtime of Game 1 against the Phoenix Suns, the San Antonio Spurs needed a three-pointer to tie the game and force a second overtime period.
The last guy the Suns figured that would take a three would be Tim Duncan, who had made a three-pointer all season.
But with the ball and wide open just behind the three-point line, Duncan fired it up and hit the game-tying three to send the game into double overtime where Manu Ginobili hit a layup with 1.8 seconds left in the second overtime to give the Spurs a 117-115 win.
The Suns never recovered as they lost the series in five games.

19. 2014-The Truth Sets the Nets Free
After spending 15 years as Boston Celtic, Paul Pierce etched his name in Brooklyn Nets lore as he blocks Raptors guard Kyle Lowry’s shot in the final seconds to preserve the Nets’ 104-103 Game 7 win over Toronto.

18. 2015-CP3 Limps To Buzzer Beater
Despite being hobbled by a strained left hamstring, Clippers point guard Chris Paul musters enough strength to hit the game-winning shot, a one-handed jumper that goes over the hands of Spurs forward Tim Duncan, with one second left to give the Clippers a 111-109 win in Game 7 of their series with the defending NBA champions.

17. 2017-Cavaliers Comeback

The Indiana Pacers dominated the first half of Game 3 of their opening-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers as they held a 74-49 lead at the halftime break.

But led by LeBron James' 28 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in the second half, the Cavs overcame the largest halftime deficit to win a NBA playoff game as they defeated the Pacers 119-114 to take a 3-0 series lead as Cleveland would go on to win the next game to sweep the series and advance to the second round.

LeBron James put up a triple double as he scored 41 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and dished out 12 assists to lead the Cavaliers back from a 25-point halftime deficit.

16. 1986-Bullets’ Furious Rally

The Philadelphia 76ers appeared to have Game 1 of their first round series against the Washington Bullets in the bag as they held a 94-77 lead with 3:49 to play in the game.

But the Bullets would shock the Sixers by going on a 18-0 run that was capped off by Dudley Bradley’s 3-pointer from 24 feet out at the buzzer to give Washington an amazing 95-94 win and a 1-0 series lead.

However, Philadelphia would storm back to win the series in five games.

15. 2012-Clippers Comeback Against Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies seemed to have Game 1 locked away as they held a 84-57 lead over the Los Angeles Clippers with 1:34 left in the third quarter.
Memphis still had a sizeable lead at 95-71 with 9:13 left in the game when the Clippers put together one of the greatest runs in NBA playoff history as they outscored the Grizzlies 26-1 over the next eight minutes to take their first lead of the game with 58 seconds left on a Reggie Evans basket.

The Grizzlies would retake the lead on a Rudy Gay 10-footer with 28 seconds left, only to have the Clippers grab the lead back when Chris Paul sank two free throws with 23.7 seconds left.

Still, Memphis had a chance to save itself but when Gay missed from 15 feet with 0.9 seconds remaining, the Grizzlies fell victim to the third greatest comeback in NBA playoff history as the Clippers won 99-98 and would eventually win the series in seven games.

14. 1994-Sir Charles’ Finest Hour
After scoring the Suns’ first 12 points of Game 3 in his team’s series against the Golden State Warriors, Charles Barkley ran by the Warriors bench and asked their head coach, Don Nelson, whether or not they were going to double team him.
Nelson didn't and Barkley made him pay for it as he scored 27 points in the 1st quarter as he would go on to finish with 38 1st half points on his way to a 56-point performance as the Suns would win the game 140-133 to sweep the Warriors.

Charles Barkley was 23-of-31 from the field, including 3-of-4 from downtown, and 7-of-9 from the free throw line in his 56-point performance against the Warriors.

13. 1993-Zo Stings The Celtics

The Charlotte Hornets, making their first playoff appearance in their franchise’s fifth year of existence, held a 2-1 series lead over the Boston Celtics, who were making their 40th playoff appearance, but were trailing 103-102 with 3.3 seconds left in Game 4 and staring down at a winner-take-all Game 5 at the Boston Garden.

That is when rookie center Alonzo Mourning took the inbounds pass from Dell Curry(father of Steph Curry) and drained a 20-footer with 0.4 seconds left that gave the Hornets a 104-103 win and clinch their first postseason series victory as well as end the career of Kevin McHale, who retired after the game.

12. 2020-Mitchell vs Murray

Utah Jazz forward Donovan Mitchell and Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray have a duel for the ages that throughout their entire seven-game series.

In Game 1, Mitchell scores 57 points, the third highest scoring performance in NBA playoffs history, only to have Murray score or assist on 31 of Denver's final 38 points to give the Nuggets a 135-125 overtime victory.

Then in Game 4, Mitchell and Murray make history as they become the first opposing players to score 50 points each in a NBA playoff game as Murray would score 50 while Mitchell put up 51 with 18 of those points coming in the 4th quarter to give Utah a 129-127 win and a 3-1 series lead.

Murray would strike back in Game 6 with his second 50-point game of the series as he hit nine 3-pointers in the game to lead Denver to a 119-107 win and force a Game 7.

The Nuggets would win Game 7 by the score of 80-78 as Jazz guard Mike Conley's three-pointer at the buzzer spun out of the basket to give Denver the series win.

Denver's Jamal Murray and Utah's Donovan Mitchell combined for 487 points during their epic seven-game series.

11. 2014 + 2019-Dame Time
Blazers point guard Damian Lillard not once but twice ended first round playoff series with a walk-off three pointer to send Portland to the second round.
In 2014, the Blazers trailed the Houston Rockets 98-96 with 0.9 seconds left in Game 6 when Lillard caught an inbounds pass from Nicholas Batum and hit a three-pointer as time expired to give Portland a 99-98 victory and their first playoff series win since 2000.

Five years later, this time facing the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lillard had the ball in his hands with a chance to end the series in Game 5.
Lillard shot a 37-footer that went through the net at the buzzer to give Portland a 118-115 win  and "Dame" finished with 50 points as the Blazers eliminated the Thunder.

10. 2019-Clippers Comeback Against Warriors
Holding a 94-63 lead with 7 1/2 minutes to go in the third quarter of Game 2, the Golden State Warriors were poised to take a 2-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Clippers.
But the Clippers would outscore the Warriors 31-14 in the last 7 1/2 minutes of the 3rd quarter to trim the Golden State lead to 14 points at 108-94, then outscore Golden State 41-23 in the 4th quarter with Landry Shamet hitting the go-ahead three-pointer with 16.5 seconds left, which were followed by two Montrez Harrell free throws to give the Clippers a 135-131 win and the greatest comeback win in NBA playoff history.

9. 2023-The Butler Did It

The Miami Heat became the sixth team in NBA history to knock off a #1 seed in the first round as they defeated the Milwaukke Bucks in five games, thanks in large part to their star forward Jimmy Butler.

In Game 4, Butler scored 56 points with 21 of those coming in the fourth quarter to lead Miami back from a 12-point deficit with six minutes left in regulation to a 119-114 win as the Heat outscored the Bucks 30-13 in the final six minutes.

Then in Game 5 with the Heat down 118-116 with 2.1 seconds left in regulation, Butler caught a sideline pass from Gabe Vincent and made a layup that tied the game and sent into overtime where Miami would prevail 128-126 as Butler finished with 42 points in Game 5.

8. 1991 Bird-Gets off the Deck
Already hampered by a bad back, Larry Bird’s body took another shot after his head hit the Boston Garden floor, leaving Bird down on the floor for several moments, before he got up and went to the locker room with his Celtics holding a 48-46 with 4:23 left in the second quarter of their deciding Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers.
It looked like Bird was not going to return as he did not come out with his team as the second half began, but midway through the third quarter, he would come out of the tunnel to a standing ovation and re-entered the game to score 14 points in the rest of the the final 6:46 of the third quarter to help lead Boston to a 124-121 victory and move on the second round adding another chapter to his legendary career.

7. 1999-Houston Sends The Heat Home
The rivalry between the New York Knicks and Miami Heat reached its peak in the closing seconds of Game 5 of their opening round series in the 1999 playoffs.
Down 77-76 with 4.5 seconds left, Knicks guard Allan Houston took the inbounds pass from Charlie Ward, slipped by two Miami defenders, and fired up a right-handed leaning jumper from the free throw line, that hit the front rim and bounced off the backboard before going into the basket with 0.8 seconds left to give the Knicks a 78-77 win and making them the second #8 seed to defeat a #1 seed.

6. 1984-Bernard and Isiah’s Duel at the Joe
With the deciding Game 5 being moved to the Joe Louis Arena because of a motocross race at the Pontiac Silverdome, the Detroit Pistons hosted the New York Knicks that featured a memorable duel between Knicks forward Bernard King and Pistons guard Isiah Thomas.
King, who had scored at least 40 points in three of the series’ first four games, reached the 40-point plateau again as New York held a 106-98 lead with 1:56 to go in the game when Thomas caught fire and scored the Pistons’ next 16 points, which was capped off by a 22-foot three-pointer that tied the game at 114, forcing an extra five minutes.
However, King, who was playing with the flu and two dislocated fingers, put the Knicks back in the lead for good with a put back slam dunk and then hit 16-foot jumper that broke Detroit’s back as New York went on to win the game 127-123 and move on to the second round.

Bernard King overcame the flu, two dislocated fingers, and Isiah Thomas's 16 straight points, to lead the Knicks past the Pistons with a 44-point effort.

5. 2009-Best Series Ever?

The Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls put together an epic seven-game series which saw five games decided by three points or less, four games go into overtime, with two of those going more than one overtime including an amazing Game 6 which went into triple overtime with the Bulls winning despite Celtics guard Ray Allen's 50 points.

While the series would end with Boston winning Game 7 by the score of 109-99, many consider this series as the greatest playoff series in NBA history.

4. 2007-Warriors Upset Mavericks
The 42-40 Golden State Warriors, making their first playoff appearance in the playoffs since 1994, were not expected to do much against the 67-15 Dallas Mavericks and eventual MVP Dirk Nowitzki, even though Golden State had won all three meetings during the regular season.
But led by former Mavericks head coach Don Nelson, guard Baron Davis and a raucous home court advantage, the Warriors stunned the Mavericks in six games to become the third #8 seed to win a NBA playoffs series while Dallas became only the second team to win at least 65 games in the regular season and not win the NBA title(the other being the 1972-73 Boston Celtics who went 68-14).
While the Warriors’ upset of the Mavs might be the greatest upset in NBA history, it was not as dramatic as the first #8 seed upset over a #1 seed...

Baron Davis salutes the Golden State home crowd after leading the Warriors to a shocking upset over the Dallas Mavericks.

3. 1994-Nuggets Shock Supersonics
The 42-40 Denver Nuggets were practically given no shot against the 63-19 Seattle Supersonics, especially after losing the first two games in Seattle to go down 0-2 and be one loss away from elimination.
However, the Nuggets came back to run to win the next two games in Denver to force a deciding Game 5 in Seattle.
The Nuggets had a chance to pull off the upset in regulation but Kendall Gill rebounded a Gary Payton air ball and laid it in for the game-tying basket to send the game into overtime.
Despite that and four 24-second shot clock violations in overtime, the Nuggets would prevail 98-94 to become the first #8 seed to ever win a series in the NBA Playoffs.
As the clock hit zero, Nuggets center Dikembe Mutombo fell to the ground with the ball in his hands and a big smile across his face after helping his team pull off one of the biggest upsets in NBA history.

2. 1986-God Disguised as Michael Jordan
In the third game of the 1985-86 NBA season, Michael Jordan broke a bone in his left foot causing him to miss 64 games.
He returned just in time for the playoffs as the 30-52 Bulls were prepared to face off with the 67-15 Boston Celtics.
In Game 2 of the series, Jordan almost single handedly lead the Bulls to a upset as he broke Elgin Baylor’s record for most points in a playoff game as he poured in 63 points on 22-of-41 shooting, but it was not enough as the Bulls lost 135-131 in double overtime on their way to being swept.
After the game, Larry Bird was quoted was saying “I think it’s God disguised as Michael Jordan”.

Michael Jordan had the first of his five career games with at least 60 points against the Boston Celtics in the 1986 playoffs.

1. 1989-The Shot
One year after torching the Cavs for back-to-back 50 point performances(see moment 25), Michael Jordan came back to haunt the Cavaliers a play simply known as “The Shot”.
With Chicago down 100-99 with three seconds left in the deciding Game 5, Jordan tooks an inbounds pass from Brad Sellers, drove to the free throw line and fired a 18-foot jump shot over Cavaliers guard Craig Ehlo(who had just hit the go-ahead layup) that sailed through the net as time expired, giving the Bulls a 101-100 victory and sending Chicago to the second round while staking a heart through the hearts of Cleveland fans for the second year in a row.

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