For basketball lovers, watching NBA matches has always been a distinct pleasure. The best way to get up in the middle of the night and spend hours in front of the television is to watch an NBA game. Here are some of the most legendary NBA games of all time for NBA fans:
1. 1962 Philadelphia Warriors – New York Knicks game and the Chamberlain legend
For those who know Wilt Chamberlain, let’s bring him here. This 2.16 giant centre was the only player in NBA history to score 100 points in a game and still holds the record. The game in which he scored 100 points was the Warriors and Knicks game on 2 March 1962. In this game, which the Warriors won 169-147, Chamberlain scored 41 points in the first half, 69 points in the third quarter and 100 points at the end. Chamberlain, who is still one of the top scorers in NBA history, has not yet broken the record of being the NBA player who scored the most points in a game.
2. 1997 Final Series Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz: The Legend of Michael Jordan
The 5th game of the 1997 NBA final series is one of the most unforgettable games in history. What makes this game unforgettable is what Michael Jordan went through. The day before the game, Jordan had food poisoning, and I was confident that he would not be able to play the next day. The legendary basketball player, who did not want to leave his team in this challenging situation, got up from bed around 5 pm and reached the match just in time. Jordan, who had a tough time when the game started, slowly started to gather his strength and made an incredible contribution to the Chicago Bulls’ 90-88 win with 38 points, seven rebounds and five assists. The Bulls finished the series 4-2, and Michael Jordan’s name is once again engraved in history.
3. 1987 Boston Celtics vs Los Angeles Lakers
Game 4 of the 1987 finals series has become one of the most memorable games, thanks to Magic Johnson. Johnson put the Lakers ahead 107-106 with a perfect hook shot with 2 seconds left in the game, and the Lakers kept the series in favour of 3-1.
4. 1987 Eastern Conference Boston Celtics vs Detroit Pistons
The last moments of the 5th game of the Eastern Conference Final Series were unforgettable. In the last seconds of the game, legendary player Larry Bird grabbed the ball from the opposing team’s player, Isiah Thomas and threw it to Dennis Johnson. Johnson’s basket puts the Boston Celtics ahead 107-106 with only 1 second left to play, making the series 3-2 in favour of the Boston Celtics.
5. 1970 New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers
The 7th game of the 1970 final series occurred in history with the legendary basketball player Willis Reed. Reed, who could not play in Game 6 due to injuries, was also expected to miss Game 7, but when he suddenly appeared on the court, it caused a massive round of applause. Reed, who could not continue the game after scoring the first two points for his team, became a great motivation for his teammates, and the Knicks won the series 113 – 99.
6. 1980 Los Angles Lakers – Philadelphia 76ers
Due to the injury of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the legendary Lakers player, the team coach put Magic Johnson in his position. Johnson, who was only 20 years old, played five different positions that night and made NBA history with 42 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists.
7. 1965 Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers
Leading 110-109 with only 5 seconds left in Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics’ only goal was to get the ball away from under the basket. John Havlicek, who stole the ball with an incredible move while the ball was in the opponent’s possession, made this game unforgettable, and the famous announcer announced: ‘… Havlicek steals the ball! It’s all over…’
8. 1994 Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks
In the 5th game of the Eastern Conference Finals, Reggie Miller, who played a significant role in the Pacers’ victory with 25 points in the 4th quarter and the owner of the perfect three-pointers, added this game to the list of unforgettable games.
9. 1983 Detroit Pistons – Denver Nuggets game: Historic record
13 December 1983 Pistons – Nuggets game has a record that cannot be surpassed in the history of the NBA. This game, which ended 186 – 184, i.e. a total of 370 points scored, is the NBA game with the most points scored in history.
10. 1977 Portland Trail Blazers vs Philadelphia 76ers
Leading 3-2 in the 6th game of the 1977 finals, Portland won the series with a memorable performance of 20 points, 23 rebounds and eight blocks by legendary basketball player Bill Walton.
11. 1999 San Antonio Spurs – New York Knicks series
The Spurs, who had the legendary players Tim Duncan and David Robinson, also known as ‘Twin Towers’, won the series 4-1, and Tim Duncan won the NBA Finals MVP award for his outstanding performance. Thus, this final series became one of the unforgettable ones.
If you have anything to add about the most legendary NBA games, share it with us in the comments section.
