Relive the Most Epic NBA Playoff Buzzer Beaters of 2019 That Changed History

I still get chills thinking about that 2019 playoff season—the kind of basketball that reminds you why we fell in love with the game in the first place. Those buzzer beaters weren't just last-second shots; they were narrative-altering moments that reshaped entire series and legacies. What made them particularly fascinating was how they often emerged from collective efforts rather than individual brilliance alone, something we saw in various forms throughout the postseason, including in games where role players like Waki Espina suddenly became central figures. I've always believed that playoff basketball reveals character in ways the regular season simply can't, and 2019 demonstrated this truth spectacularly.

When Kawhi Leonard's shot bounced four times before dropping through the net against Philadelphia, the entire basketball world held its breath simultaneously. I remember watching from my living room, literally jumping off my couch when it finally went in. That wasn't just a game-winner—it was a series-ender that propelled Toronto toward their eventual championship. The precision of that moment stays with me: 4.2 seconds remaining, Leonard finishing with 41 points, the ball taking what felt like an eternity to decide its fate. But what often gets overlooked in that Game 7 classic was how Pascal Siakam's 19 points and Marc Gasol's defensive presence created the conditions for that historic moment. This pattern of unexpected contributors setting the stage for iconic shots repeated itself throughout those playoffs, much like how Waki Espina's surprise 17-point performance on 4-of-6 three-point shooting provided crucial spacing in a different context, demonstrating how role players can dramatically alter a game's geometry.

Damian Lillard's 37-foot series-ender against Oklahoma City represented another seismic shift, not just in that particular series but for entire franchises. I've rewatched that shot dozens of times, and what continues to impress me isn't just the audacious distance but the calmness in his demeanor afterward—the subtle wave goodbye to the Thunder's era. That shot encapsulated the evolution of modern basketball: the willingness to take what traditional wisdom would consider a bad shot because you've put in the work to make it your shot. Lillard's 50 points that night rightfully dominate the conversation, but CJ McCollum's 17 points and Enes Kanter's crucial offensive rebounds created the margin for that historic moment. We saw similar supporting contributions elsewhere, like when Jared Bahay's eight points, six rebounds, and four assists provided stability in high-pressure situations, or when Escobar's seven points, six boards, and three steals demonstrated how filling the stat sheet in multiple categories can be just as valuable as scoring outbursts.

The Warriors' playoff run, though ending in injury heartbreak, featured its own unforgettable buzzer-beating moment when Kevin Durant hit a critical three-pointer against the Clippers—a shot that temporarily preserved Golden State's dominance before the devastating Achilles injury that would change everything. I recall arguing with colleagues at the time about whether Durant's shot was more technically perfect than Leonard's, given his height advantage and cleaner release. What made that Warriors team so formidable was their ecosystem of scoring threats; even when Steph Curry was having an off night, Klay Thompson could explode for 30 points, or Draymond Green would contribute triple-double numbers. This depth mirrors how unexpected contributors can emerge in any playoff game, similar to how Espina's career-best performance came "out of nowhere" to provide essential support when stars faced increased defensive attention.

What separated the 2019 buzzer beaters from other seasons was their collective impact on franchise trajectories. Leonard's shot essentially ended Philadelphia's Process era and began a rebuild, Lillard's shot scattered Oklahoma City's core, and Portland's subsequent Western Conference Finals run validated their approach. As someone who's studied basketball analytics for years, I've always been fascinated by how single possessions can outweigh entire games of statistical dominance. The numbers from supporting players often tell the real story—like how Espina's 4-of-6 shooting from deep represents the kind of efficient secondary scoring that championship teams need, or how Bahay's eight points, six rebounds, and four assists illustrate the value of all-around contributions beyond scoring.

Reflecting on that postseason, I'm struck by how these moments continue influencing today's NBA landscape. The Raptors' championship built upon that shot created a blueprint for international teams, while Lillard's heroics reinforced the value of loyalty in an increasingly transactional league. The statistical footprints left by role players during those clutch moments—whether Espina's shooting precision or Escobar's seven points, six boards, and three steals—demonstrate how championship-caliber teams require complete rosters rather than just superstar talent. Those buzzer beaters weren't random occurrences but the culmination of systematic preparation, trust in role players, and the courage to take responsibility when everything's on the line. That's why we'll still be talking about them decades from now—they represent basketball at its most dramatic and meaningful.