LeBron James has consistently proven his ability to deliver in clutch moments throughout his storied 21-year career. As of now, James has a total of 19 game-winners. This impressive number includes eight buzzer-beaters that have further solidified his legacy in the game.

A game-winner in basketball is generally defined as a go-ahead shot made in the final 24 seconds of a game, often when a team is tied or down by two. These shots are particularly challenging due to the increasing pressure as the clock runs down.

It’s important to distinguish between a game-winner and a buzzer-beater. While all buzzer-beaters are game-winners, not all game-winners are buzzer-beaters. A buzzer-beater is a shot made with no time left on the clock, immediately deciding the game’s winner.

James‘ eight buzzer-beaters place him alongside NBA greats Kobe Bryant and Joe Johnson for the second-most in history, just one behind Michael Jordan. These statistics establish LeBron James as a reliable performer in clutch situations.

LeBron James tops in NBA playoff buzzer beaters

LeBron James, renowned for his playoff performances, holds the record for the most playoff buzzer-beaters in NBA history. His five crucial shots have been important in various playoff situations, highlighting his ability to perform when it matters most.

James’ journey of playoff buzzer-beaters started in 2009 with an outstanding 3-pointer for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference finals. In 2013, while playing for the Miami Heat, he secured a win against the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals with a game-winning layup in overtime. The Heat eventually won the NBA Finals in seven games.

Returning to Cleveland in 2015, James He made a 21-footer against the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference semifinals, leading the Cavaliers to a series win and an eventual Eastern Conference title. However, the season ended with a loss to the Golden State Warriors in the Finals.

2018 was an unforgettable year for James, where he solidified his status with two buzzer-beaters. The first came against the Pacers in the first-round series, followed by a shot against the Toronto Raptors in the next round.

Even though they did not lead to a championship, these performances highlighted James’ unmatched ability to dominate in the playoffs. LeBron James’ record in playoff buzzer-beaters and game-winners establishes him as a dominant player in regular seasons as well as in the playoffs.