Top 5 Most Clutch Performances in NBA Playoffs History

The rich history of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Playoffs has witnessed a few of the greatest clutch performers who’ve successfully led their teams to formidable victories under high-pressure situations with their magnificent abilities to hit a crucial shot, managing the game clock, and dominating the opponent teams with defensive stops.

Over the years, a few of the greatest clutch performances by legendary NBA players, including Reggie Miller, Stephen Curry and Larry Bird, have delivered iconic clutch performances and led their teams to phenomenal victories in the NBA Playoffs. 

In this article we will take a look at the top five most clutch performances in the history of the NBA playoffs. 

Reggie Miller at the 1995 NBA Playoffs 

The legendary player of the Indiana Pacers NBA team, Reggie Miller created history at the 1995 NBA Playoffs between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks, with his dominant clutch performance in the game. Reggie Miller scored a total of eight points in the final seconds to defeat the New York Knicks.

Reggie Miller’s record total of eight points through his annihilating clutch performance is still unbeaten, speaking volumes about his dominance in the game as one of the greatest clutch performers. With an outrageous and match-winning performance in the 1995 NBA Playoffs with a total of eight points, Reggie Miller is on the top of our list of top five most clutch performances in the history of at the NBA Playoffs. 

Ray Allen at the 2013 NBA Finals 

Former American professional basketball player, Walter Ray Allen Jr., popularly referred to as “Ray Allen”, destroyed his opponents and led his Miami Heat to an overnight victory with his game-tying 3-pointer in the final moments of the thrilling 2013 NBA Finals match.

Ray Allen’s match-winning shots not just led the Miami Heat team to defeat the San Antonio Spurs and clinch the championship but also solidified Ray Allen as one of the greatest clutch performances in the history of the NBA playoffs.

Although it has been over a decade now, Ray Allen’s breathtaking three-pointer that tied Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals with 5.2 seconds remaining is still hailed as one of the finest clutch performances ever witnessed in the history of the NBA. 

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Michael Jordan at the 1989 NBA Playoffs 

Often referred to by the initials of his name, MJ, former American basketball player, Michael Jordan has played a total of fifteen seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and has solidified his place as one of the greatest basketball players in the history of the NBA.

Michael Jordan’s renowned match-winning shot over Craig Ehlo that brutally defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers team at the 1989 NBA playoffs is still hailed as one of the iconic and memorable moments in the history of the NBA.

The famous “shot” from Michael Jordan not just drove his team to a formidable victory in the 1989 NBA playoffs but also solidified his stature as one of the greatest and most reliable clutch performers in the history of the NBA.

LeBron James at the 2016 NBA Playoffs 

LeBron James, who is often hailed as one of the most valuable players in the history of the NBA, is fourth on our list of top five most clutch performances in the history of the NBA playoffs.

LeBron James has successfully established himself as an NBA champion for a record total of six times and has also been acknowledged as the NBA Finals MVP six times, speaking volumes about his dominance in the game and his finest clutch performances against opponents on the court.

LeBron’s renowned “block” on Andre Iguodala in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals that assisted the Cleveland Cavaliers to make a comeback against the Golden State Warriors is still considered to be one of the most surprising and classic clutch performances in the history of the NBA. The high-pressure situation where the Golden State Warriors were leading the game by 3-1, LeBron James’ “block” saved the Cleveland Cavaliers and twisted the game in their favor.  

Kyrie Irving at the 2016 NBA Finals 

Often hailed as one of the best “ball-handlers” in the world, Kyrie Irving clinched his first NBA Championship with the Cavaliers in 2016. The final minute of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals proved to be a game changer as Kyrie Irving dominated the game with his step-back-3-pointer over Stephen Curry.

Kyrie Irving’s crucial shot under intense pressure in the game turned out to be a game changer move for his team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the 2016 NBA Finals. Kyrie Irving was appreciated by both critics and hardcore NBA fans for his iconic and match-winning step-back-3-pointer over Stephen Curry that led his team to a phenomenal victory at the 2016 NBA Finals.