The last ten years of NBA basketball have given us everything — heartbreak, redemption, impossible shots, performances that felt almost unreal…name it. These aren’t just highlights. They’re THE NBA moments. Moments fans still argue about, replay on YouTube at midnight, and just can never forget. Here’s a countdown of five that truly defined the era.
NBA Moments All Fans Will Remember
5. The Kawhi Bounce (2019)
Game 7. Raptors v Sixers. Tie game. Four seconds left.
Kawhi Leonard dribbled to the corner, rose over Joel Embiid, and released a high, soft jumper as time expired. The shot hit the rim once. Twice. Three times. Four times. The entire arena froze with every bounce before it finally dropped.
Toronto exploded. Philadelphia collapsed. It was the first Game 7 buzzer-beater in NBA history and it carried the Raptors all the way to their first championship. That image of Kawhi squatting in the corner watching the ball hang in the air forever? That’s a fan-favorite now! Speaking of, for fans wanting to engage deeper with current games, platforms like TNB offer comprehensive NBA betting odds and guide resources to follow today’s matchups and player performances.
4. THAT Block (2016)
The Cavaliers were down 3-1 in the Finals to a 73-win Warriors team. Nobody had ever come back from that deficit before.
Game 7. Under two minutes left. Tie game. Andre Iguodala streaked in for what looked like a sure layup…then LeBron James came flying in from behind and bam!
“The Block” wasn’t just a defensive play. It was a legacy moment. Cleveland went on to win its first major sports title in 52 years, and LeBron cemented one of the greatest Finals performances ever.
3. The Thompson Quarter (2015)
Some hot streaks are impressive. This one? It felt supernatural.
January 23rd 2015. GSW v Sacramento. Klay Thompson scored 37 points in a single quarter. Thirteen shots. Thirteen makes. Nine threes. Zero misses. The man was floating.
The Kings had no answers. I mean, the Warriors barely even ran plays. It was all Klay. He was just in another dimension. This is exactly what you get when a shooter finds rhythm and never lets it go. Easily this is one of the best NBA moments of the last decade.
2. Giannis Shushes Doubters (2021)
Giannis Antetokounmpo had heard the doubts for years — can’t shoot, can’t close, can’t win in the playoffs.
Then Game 6 of the 2021 Finals happened.
Closeout game. Finals. How did Giannis respond to the critics? He dropped 50 points. Added 14 rebounds and 5 blocks and even went 17-for-19 from the free-throw line — the same free throws critics said would hold him back.
Crazy thing? Just weeks earlier, he’d hyperextended his knee in a way that looked terrifying. To go on to deliver the most dominant Finals performance, bringing Milwaukee its first title in 50 years? Phenomenal.
1. Curry’s Unanimous MVP Season (2016)
Steph didn’t just have a great season — he changed basketball. It wasn’t just one, but many NBA moments that solidified his name in history.
In 2015–16, after a 30.1 point average and 402 three-pointers, he became the first unanimous MVP in league history. Coaches had to redesign entire defensive systems.
The Warriors fell short in the Finals, but Curry’s season reshaped the sport. The way the game is played today – spacing, shooting, pace – yeah, it all traces back to that year.
