Since we know y’all love lists, let’s take a look at the top five buzzer-beaters in the association so far this season.
Wednesday night’s (Dec. 15) New Orleans Pelicans versus Oklahoma City Thunder game on paper wasn’t where we expected to find a top-five buzzer-beater. But here we are.
5. Karl-Anthony Towns forces overtime — Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Early in the season when the Minnesota Timberwolves really looked like they were on the struggle bus, their big man Karl-Anthony Towns nailed a 39-foot banked 3-pointer as time expired in regulation to force overtime.
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The Wolves lost the game in OT, that’s why it’s ranked fifth.
4. Paul George forces overtime — Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks
The Clippers wound up losing this game in overtime, but the corner three by PG-13 to force an extra five minutes was excellent.
The Mavericks were up 102-92 late in the fourth quarter before the Clippers scored 11 of the final 12 points, including George’s three. He runs a tight curl and receives the inbound pass from Terance Mann, and with the Mavericks’ 6-foot-7 Dorian Finney-Smith draped all over him he rises up and nails the three.
3. Luka Doncic wins the game — Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks
Finally, a game-winning buzzer-beater!
With the game tied at 104, Doncic gets switched onto by the Celtics’ Josh Richardson. Now, Richardson had just spent the last season as Doncic’s teammate in Dallas. No doubt he knew what move was coming and seen it a bunch in practice.
Doncic dribbles left and goes into his step-back fade left and drills the three. Even if you know it’s coming, there’s not a whole lot you can do. Mavs win the game 107-104.
2. Austin Reaves wins the game — Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Technically, this wasn’t a buzzer beater as there was .9 of a second left on the clock and the Mavericks had a heave to try and tie it, which clanked off the rim. But y’all love the Lakers, so we thought we’d be nice. It is the holiday season, after all.
The Mavericks doubled LeBron James to force anyone else on the floor to beat them. Westbrook is shooting 32 percent from three this season and he could’ve shot it earlier in the possession. Instead he chose to drive and collapse an already-scrambling defense who left Reaves open.
Reaves is shooting 39 percent this season from three. The Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr. gives a late contest and might’ve even fouled Reaves. No matter. Lakers win 107-104.
1. Devonte’ Graham wins the game on 61-foot shot at the buzzer — New Orleans Pelicans vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
We told you it’s the season of giving, and since the Pelicans won’t have much else to celebrate, why not give them the top spot.
This game was crazy. The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander tied the game up with a deep three after it was clear the Pelicans’ Garrett Temple was fouling him on purpose. The refs just ignored it.
We were all square at 110, with 1.4 seconds remaining. Overtime, right?
Nope.
The Pelicans with no timeouts have to inbound the ball under their basket. Josh Hart inbounds the ball to Devonte’ Graham and he heaves the shot from 61 feet away. The ball hits the center square on the backboard and falls through the net.
Game. Pelicans win 113-110.
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