Jerry West's 60-Foot Miracle: The shot that echoed through NBA history
In the annals of NBA history, few moments are as unforgettable as Jerry West's incredible 60-foot shot during the 1970 NBA Finals.
Although the Los Angeles Lakers ultimately fell to the New York Knicks in that series, West's incredible buzzer-beater remains etched in the minds of basketball fans and players alike.
The 1970 NBA Finals pitted the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, against the New York Knicks, featuring Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, and Bill Bradley. The series was a hard-fought battle, with both teams trading victories as they pushed one another to their limits.
Entering Game 3, the series was tied at one game apiece. The stage was set for a pivotal showdown at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. As the clock ticked down in the final moments of the game, the Lakers found themselves trailing by two points.
With just three seconds remaining on the clock, the Lakers inbounded the ball to Jerry West. West turned and launched a desperation heave from beyond the half-court line, roughly 60 feet from the basket.
To the amazement of everyone in the arena, the ball sailed through the air and swished through the net, tying the game at 102-102 and sending it to overtime.
Jerry West hits a 60 foot shot to tie the game. If the nba had 3 pointers it would have put the lakers up 2-1 in the 70 nba finals vs the Knicks. #nbafinals https://t.co/gOCYGgfutU
West's shot was nothing short of miraculous. At a time when the three-point line did not yet exist in the NBA, a shot from that distance was considered nearly impossible. Yet, West's incredible skill and uncanny accuracy defied the odds, cementing his status as one of the game's greatest clutch performers.
Jerry West's 60-foot miracle shot wasn't enough to win the game
Despite West's heroics, the Lakers ultimately fell short in Game 3, losing 111-108 in overtime.
The Knicks went on to win the series in seven games, capturing their first NBA championship in franchise history. Although the Lakers' season ended in disappointment, West's incredible 60-foot shot remains an enduring symbol of his remarkable talent and tenacity.
In the years since Jerry West's incredible buzzer-beater, the shot has taken on a life of its own, becoming a defining moment in NBA history.
Players like Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, and Trae Young have redefined the limits of long-range shooting. They regularly make shots from well beyond the traditional three-point line.
In many ways, the roots of this evolution can be traced back to West's miraculous 60-foot shot, a moment that demonstrated the power of skill, determination, and self-belief.