Can You Identify These Basketball Players from a Photo of Their Buzzer Beater?

By: Jacqueline Samaroo
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify These Basketball Players from a Photo of Their Buzzer Beater?
Image: Youtube via NBA

About This Quiz

Only 3 seconds left, can you make the shot?!

In North America, very few sports can rival the popularity of basketball. In fact, the National Basketball Association (NBA) - which is the most prolific basketball league - is a part of the "Big Four" group of sports leagues. This means that in North America, only the National Football League (NFL), the National Hockey League (NHL) and Major League Baseball (MLB), can hope to match up to the NBA's popularity. Basketball is notable for being a very  fast paced game that still manages to be very technical in its own right. This has led to countless nail-biting moments and down to the wire plays being made over the years.

One of the most iconic and exciting moments in any basketball game is the "buzzer beater." This is a play that is made at the end of the game when there are seconds (or less than a second) left to spare. In this quiz, we've taken a look at the entire history of the sport and compiled a selection of some of the most iconic buzzer beaters in professional games. Can you beat the clock when it comes to mastering this quiz? Let's find out!

LeBron James (Game 3 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Second Round)   This is a picture of whose buzzer beater?
LeBron James
Allan Houston
Michael Jordan
Gar Heard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

LeBron James scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 3 of the 2018 Eastern Conference Second Round. This gave the Cavaliers a 105–103 win against the Toronto Raptors and take a 3–0 series lead.

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Bob Harrison (Game 1 of the 1950 NBA Finals)  Whose buzzer beater is showcased in this picture?
LeBron James
Reggie Miller
Bob Harrison
John Stockton
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Bob Harrison scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 1 of the 1950 NBA Finals. It was a 40-foot buzzer-beater that won the game for the Lakers, 68–66.

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LeBron James (Game 5 of the 2018 Eastern Conference First Round)   This is an image of whose buzzer beater?
Ron Artest
Toni Kukoč
Eddie Johnson
LeBron James
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

LeBron James scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 5 of the 2018 Eastern Conference First Round. It gave the Cavaliers a 98–95 win against the Indiana Pacers.

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Sam Jones (Game 4 of the 1969 NBA Finals).   Whose buzzer beater is showcased in this photo?
Nick Van Exel
Paul Pierce
Sam Jones
Rex Chapman
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Sam Jones scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 1969 NBA Finals. It gave the Celtics a series-tying 89–88 win over the Lakers.

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Teresa Weatherspoon (Game 2 of the 1999 WNBA Finals)  Do you know the name of the player whose buzzer beater in this photo?
Reggie Miller
Teresa Weatherspoon
LeBron James
Hakeem Olajuwon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Teresa Weatherspoon scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 2 of the 1999 WNBA Finals. The shot was made from just beyond the half-court line to beat the Houston Comets, 68–67.

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Joe Johnson (Game 1 of the 2017 Western Conference First Round)  What is the name of the player whose buzzer beater in this photo?
Michael Jordan
Kobe Bryant
Rik Smits
Joe Johnson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joe Johnson scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 1 of the 2017 Western Conference First Round. It was a game winning layup at the buzzer to give the Utah Jazz a 97–95 win against the Los Angeles Clippers.

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Jerry West (Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals)  Which player’s buzzer beater is this?
John Stockton
Jerry West
Derek Fisher
Reggie Miller
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jerry West scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 3 of the 1970 NBA Finals. The shot tied the game, but the Lakers still lost in OT.

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Kyle Lowry (Game 1 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Semifinals)  Can you identify player who scored the buzzer beater in this image?
Kyle Lowry
Eddie Johnson
Chauncey Billups
Nick Van Exel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kyle Lowry scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 1 of the 2016 Eastern Conference Semifinals. He hit a half-court shot at the buzzer to tie it at 90, but the Raptors still lost to the Miami Heat in OT.

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Paul Pierce (Game 3 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals)  Which player’s buzzer beater is in this picture?
Rex Chapman
Paul Pierce
Robert Horry
Toni Kukoč
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paul Pierce scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 3 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals. It gave the Washington Wizards a 103–101 win against the Atlanta Hawks to take a 2–1 series lead.

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LeBron James (Game 4 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals)  Do you know the name of the player whose buzzer beater is in this picture?
Rik Smits
Hakeem Olajuwon
Reggie Miller
LeBron James
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

LeBron James scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals. It gave the Cleveland Cavaliers an 86–84 win against the Chicago Bulls and evened the series at two games apiece.

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Derrick Rose (Game 3 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals).   Which player’s buzzer beater is in this photo?
LeBron James
Derrick Rose
Alonzo Mourning
Allan Houston
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Derrick Rose scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 3 of the 2015 Eastern Conference Semifinals. It gave the Chicago Bulls a 99–96 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers and a 2–1 series lead.

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Jerryd Bayless (Game 4 of the 2015 Eastern Conference First Round)  Can you identify the player whose buzzer beater is in this picture?
Jerryd Bayless
Bob Harrison
Michael Jordan
Robert Horry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jerryd Bayless scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 2015 Eastern Conference First Round. It gave the Milwaukee Bucks a 92–90 win against the Chicago Bulls.

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Damian Lillard (Game 6 of the 2014 Western Conference First Round)  Which player’s buzzer beater is in this image?
Ralph Sampson
Paul Pierce
Damian Lillard
Derek Fisher
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Damian Lillard scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 6 of the 2014 Western Conference First Round. It allowed them to beat the Houston Rockets 99–98 and win the series 4–2.

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Vince Carter (Game 3 of the 2014 Western Conference First Round)   Can you identify the player whose buzzer beater is in this photo?
Sam Jones
Vince Carter
Derek Harper
Chauncey Billups
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Vince Carter scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 3 of the 2014 Western Conference First Round. It gave the Mavericks a 109–108 win and a 2–1 series lead over the San Antonio Spurs.

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Gar Heard (Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals)  What is the name of the player whose buzzer beater is in this image?
Teresa Weatherspoon
Ron Artest
Gar Heard
Kobe Bryant
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gar Heard scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals. This shot is one of the many reasons why the NBA often refers to Game 5 as "The Greatest Game Ever Played".

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Dudley Bradley (Game 1 of the 1986 Eastern Conference First Round)  Do you know the name of the player whose buzzer beater is in this image?
Joe Johnson
Derrick Rose
Ralph Sampson
Dudley Bradley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Dudley Bradley scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 1 of the 1986 Eastern Conference First Round. It allowed the Bullets to win the game 95–94, after the 76ers led them 94–77 with only 3 minutes left.

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Derek Harper (Game 3 of the 1986 Western Conference Semifinals) Which player scored the buzzer beater that is showcased here?
Jerry West
Vince Carter
Derek Harper
Paul Pierce
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Derek Harper scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 3 of the 1986 Western Conference Semifinals. It was a long 3-pointer with only 3 seconds left; allowing them to beat the Lakers, 110–108.

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Ralph Sampson (Game 5 of the 1986 Western Conference Finals)  Do you know the name of the player who scored this buzzer beater?
Ralph Sampson
Kyle Lowry
Damian Lillard
Dudley Bradley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ralph Sampson scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 5 of the 1986 Western Conference Finals. He hit a turnaround shot at the buzzer to win the series for Houston.

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Michael Jordan (Game 5 of the 1989 Eastern Conference First Round)  This is a photo of which player’s buzzer beater?
LeBron James
Jerryd Bayless
Paul Pierce
Michael Jordan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michael Jordan scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 5 of the 1989 Eastern Conference First Round. This series-winning basket is often referred to as “The Shot” and it is considered to be one of the greatest clutch moments in all of basketball history.

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Alonzo Mourning (Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference First Round)  Which player’s buzzer beater is showcased in this image?
Alonzo Mourning
LeBron James
Gar Heard
Michael Jordan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alonzo Mourning scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference First Round. He took an inbound pass and hit a 20-footer with only 0.4 seconds left.

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Michael Jordan (Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals)  This is a picture of whose buzzer beater?
Joe Johnson
Gar Heard
Alonzo Mourning
Michael Jordan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michael Jordan scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 1993 Eastern Conference Semifinals. This 18-foot fadeaway over Gerald Wilkins at the buzzer gave the Bulls a 103–101 win – it is often referred to as “The Shot II”.

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LeBron James (Game 1 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals)  Whose buzzer beater is showcased in this picture?
Jerry West
LeBron James
John Stockton
Michael Jordan
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

LeBron James scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 1 of the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals. He made a driving layup as time expired in OT to give the Heat a 103–102 win over the Pacers.

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Ron Artest (Game 5 of the 2010 Western Conference Finals)  This is an image of whose buzzer beater?
Kyle Lowry
Eddie Johnson
Paul Pierce
Ron Artest
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Ron Artest scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 5 of the 2010 Western Conference Finals. He hit the putback at the buzzer to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 103–101 win over the Phoenix Suns to give the Lakers a 3–2 series lead.

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Paul Pierce (Game 3 of the 2010 Eastern Conference First Round)  Whose buzzer beater is showcased in this photo?
LeBron James
Paul Pierce
Rex Chapman
Derek Harper
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Paul Pierce scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 3 of the 2010 Eastern Conference First Round. He made a jumper from the free-throw line at the buzzer, giving the Celtics a 100–98 win and a 3–0 series lead over the Miami Heat.

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LeBron James (Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals)  Do you know the name of the player whose buzzer beater is in this photo?
LeBron James
John Stockton
Hakeem Olajuwon
Dudley Bradley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

LeBron James scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals. He took the inbounds pass and hit a 3 at the buzzer to give the Cavaliers a 96–95 win.

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Kobe Bryant (Game 4 of the 2006 Western Conference First Round)  Which player’s buzzer beater is this?
Rik Smits
Gar Heard
Kobe Bryant
Dudley Bradley
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Kobe Bryant scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 2006 Western Conference First Round. He gave the Lakers a 3–1 series lead after making a shot to defeat Phoenix 99–98.

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Chauncey Billups (Game 5 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals)  Can you identify player who scored the buzzer beater in this image?
Bob Harrison
Reggie Miller
Chauncey Billups
Vince Carter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chauncey Billups scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 5 of the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals. He ran upcourt and banked in a 3 at the buzzer to tie the game at 88.

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Derek Fisher (Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals)  Which player’s buzzer beater is in this picture?
Toni Kukoč
LeBron James
Derek Fisher
Damian Lillard
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Derek Fisher scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 5 of the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals. Tim Duncan made a fadeaway over Shaquille O'Neal to give the Spurs a 73–72 lead with 0.4 seconds on the clock, but Derek Fisher followed that up with a 20-footer at the buzzer to bring the game back for the Lakers, 74-73.

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Robert Horry (Game 4 of the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals)  Do you know the name of the player whose buzzer beater is in this picture?
Robert Horry
Sam Jones
Reggie Miller
Jerryd Bayless
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Robert Horry scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 2002 NBA Western Conference Finals. While the Lakers were behind with 11.8 seconds left, Kobe Bryant and Shaq missed consecutive layups but thankfully Robert Horry got the ball and hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Lakers the 100–99 victory.

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Allan Houston (Game 5 of the 1999 Eastern Conference First Round)  Which player’s buzzer beater is in this photo?
Teresa Weatherspoon
Nick Van Exel
Allan Houston
Derrick Rose
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Allan Houston scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 5 of the 1999 Eastern Conference First Round. He hit a runner with 8 tenths left to beat Miami 78–77.

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Reggie Miller (Game 4 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals)  Can you identify the player whose buzzer beater is in this picture?
Chauncey Billups
Reggie Miller
Alonzo Mourning
LeBron James
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Reggie Miller scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals. He hit the game-winning 3 with 7 tenths left; after an inbound from Derrick McKey.

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Toni KukocÌŒ (Game 3 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals)  Which player’s buzzer beater is in this image?
Michael Jordan
Robert Horry
LeBron James
Toni Kukoč
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Toni Kukoč scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 3 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals. He scored a 23-ft fadeaway at the buzzer to give Chicago a 104–102 win over New York.

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Nick Van Exel (Game 5 of the 1995 Western Conference Semifinals)  Can you identify the player whose buzzer beater is in this photo?
Paul Pierce
Allan Houston
Nick Van Exel
Kyle Lowry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Nick Van Exel scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 5 of the 1995 Western Conference Semifinals. He hit a 3 with 5 tenths left in OT to give the Lakers a 98–96 win over the Spurs.

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Reggie Miller (Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals)  What is the name of the player whose buzzer beater is in this image?
Derek Harper
Derek Fisher
Jerry West
Reggie Miller
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Reggie Miller scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals. He notably scored 8 points in 8.9 seconds to equalize after trailing by 6 points and then subsequently beat New York, 107–105.

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Rik Smits (Game 4 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals)  Do you know the name of the player whose buzzer beater is in this image?
Dudley Bradley
Rik Smits
Kobe Bryant
Joe Johnson
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rik Smits scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals. He faked a shot over Tree Rollins and then hit a 10-footer at the buzzer to beat Orlando 94–93.

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Hakeem Olajuwon (Game 1 of the 1995 NBA Finals)  Do you know the name of the player who scored this buzzer beater?
Gar Heard
Ralph Sampson
Teresa Weatherspoon
Hakeem Olajuwon
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Hakeem Olajuwon scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 1 of the 1995 NBA Finals. He tipped in a missed layup by Clyde Drexler with 3 tenths left in OT.

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Rex Chapman (Game 4 of the 1997 Western Conference First Round)  Which player scored the buzzer beater that is showcased here?
Rex Chapman
Vince Carter
Paul Pierce
Sam Jones
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Rex Chapman scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 1997 Western Conference First Round. He caught an overthrown pass and made a falling-out-of-bounds 3 with 1.9 seconds left to tie it at 107.

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Eddie Johnson (Game 4 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals)  Which player’s buzzer beater is showcased in this image?
Damian Lillard
Ron Artest
Eddie Johnson
LeBron James
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Eddie Johnson scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 4 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals. He notably hit a buzzer-beating 3 to beat Utah 95–92.

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John Stockton (Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals)  This is a photo of which player’s buzzer beater?
John Stockton
Jerryd Bayless
LeBron James
Bob Harrison
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

John Stockton scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 6 of the 1997 Western Conference Finals. He scored a 3 at the buzzer to carry Utah over Houston 103–100 to win the series 4–2.

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Michael Jordan (Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals)  Which iconic player scored this buzzer beater?
Derrick Rose
Derek Fisher
Michael Jordan
Alonzo Mourning
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Michael Jordan scored a memorable buzzer beater in Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals. He scored a jumper over Bryon Russell at the buzzer to give Chicago the 84–82 victory.

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