Most Buzzer-Beaters in NBA History

A photo of Michael Jordan.
(Wikimedia Commons/Erik Drost)
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  • Michael Jordan has the most buzzer-beaters in NBA history with nine.
  • Jordan had 28 game-winning shots.
  • Eleven players have at least five buzzer-beaters.

Every team needs at least one player who can come up clutch down the stretch to help them win games, which can also improve their championship basketball betting odds

Many players with the best NBA odds of winning awards such as MVP have had plenty of historic moments of coming through under pressure.

With that said, who has the most buzzer-beaters in NBA history? Let’s find out as of Dec. 19, 2024.

Who Has the Most Buzzer Beaters in NBA History

RankPlayerBuzzer Beaters
1Michael Jordan9
T-2Kobe Bryant8
T-2Joe Johnson8
T-4LeBron James7
T-4Paul Pierce7
T-6Andre Iguodala5
T-6Gilbert Arenas5
T-6Dwyane Wade5
T-6Vince Carter5
T-6Kevin Garnett5
T-6John Stockton5

Which Player Has the Most Buzzer-Beaters in NBA History?

Michael Jordan has the most buzzer-beaters in NBA history with nine.

His first buzzer-beater came on May 7, 1989, during the NBA playoffs, when his free-throw line jumper over Craig Ehlo gave the Chicago Bulls a 101-100 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and the first-round series victory. This was known as “The Shot.”

Three of MJ’s buzzer-beaters happened in the playoffs, including his buzzer-beater that gave Chicago an 84-82 win over the Utah Jazz in Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals. 

Jordan shook Byron Russell off with a crossover and knocked down the shot to beat the horn on the left side of the left elbow.

His Airness’ final buzzer-beater occurred as a member of the Washington Wizards on Jan. 31, 2002. His shot at the free-throw line gave his team a 93-92 win in Cleveland, breaking the hearts of Cavs fans one last time.

How Many Game-Winning Shots Did Jordan Have?

Jordan had 28 game-winning shots.

His first came on Nov. 11, 1984, when his Bulls defeated the Indiana Pacers 118-116.

The five-time MVP’s last game-winning shot as a Bull, and perhaps the most famous one, took place during Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals. He crossed up Russell (again) and helped Chicago secure its second three-peat and sixth championship in the 1990s with an 87-86 win in Utah. Jordan also earned his sixth Finals MVP.

MJ had three game-winning shots as a Wizard. 

His first happened against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, where Jordan and the Bulls had plenty of heated and heavily contested battles, especially in the postseason.

The Wizards escaped Gotham City with an 87-86 win on Dec. 22, 2001.

Air Jordan’s final game-winning shot occurred on Feb. 15, 2002, lifting his Wizards to a 97-96 win over the Phoenix Suns in the desert. 

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