2022 NBA Playoffs: Looking at top highlights from first three rounds originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The highlights have been nonstop in the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
With one round in the books, there have already been a handful of iconic plays. Between game-winners, poster dunks and sideline celebrations, every night of the first round has provided a highlight that will be played back for years to come.
Lucky for basketball fans, the action is just getting started. Here’s a running list of the best highlight from each night of the 2022 NBA Playoffs so far:
May 27: Jimmy Butler’s dagger gives him 45 points, Miami survives elimination
When Miami needed him the most, Jimmy Butler delivered. Facing elimination on the road in Game 6, Miami’s star forward came to play. After three consecutive sluggish outings, Butler came back to drop 45 points in 47 minutes on 16-of-29 shooting.
His jumper with less than 40 seconds remaining gave the Heat the cushion required to survive Game 6 in Boston, forcing a win-or-go-home scenario in FTX Arena in Game 7.
May 26: Steph Curry sinks dagger 3-pointer to end Mavs’ Finals hopes
Golden State once again took care of business. When the Mavs started to close the gap during the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 10, the Warriors responded behind eight-time All-Star Stephen Curry.
Curry’s floater banged off the back of the iron and landed in the hands of teammate Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins quickly repaid the favor by finding Curry again in the right corner, where he elevated and sunk the triple, extending the Warrior’s lead back to 16. Curry averaged 20 points. 6.8 rebounds and 7.8 assists, earning him Western Conference Finals MVP.
May 25: Jaylen Brown takes flight
It was the type of dunk where you can hear the reverberations off the backboard. The Celtics led by 18 with just over five minutes remaining, but that wasn’t enough for Jaylen Brown.
As Al Horford prepared to set a screen, Jimmy Butler and Duncan Robinson jumped…