30 best shots in NBA Playoffs history
By John Buhler
21. Kyrie Irving’s game-winner versus Golden State Warriors: 2016 NBA Finals, Game 7
In one of the best Game 7’s of all-time, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving made himself a legend in Northeast Ohio by hitting the game-winning three-pointer to complete the 3-1 comeback against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals.
Points were becoming increasingly hard to come by down the stretch in Game 7. Both Cleveland and Golden State were locked-in defensively. Somebody was going to have to make a difference. Irving had the confidence to take and make the biggest shot of his life. He nailed a three-pointer over Warriors point guard Stephen Curry inside of a minute left in the game.
That shot would give the Cavaliers a 92-89 lead late in Game 7. Cleveland would hold on to beat the Warriors 93-89. This three from Irving along with The Block from LeBron James will forever be associated with the end of Cleveland’s 51-year championship drought.
Irving hit this shot over the unanimous NBA MVP Curry. The Warriors had their chances to exploit the Cavaliers in transition, but were unable to get a meaningful bucket late. It was only fitting that Irving got to make that championship-clinching bucket. His atrocious defense in Game 1 was a major reason that Cleveland dropped the series opener.
The biggest play in Irving’s career didn’t come anywhere near the buzzer. That hurts his shots’ status as being one of the signature moments in NBA history. However, time will be the best thing on this play’s side. It was culturally significant and generationally impactful.