Kevin Durant

After waiting five long years to get back to the NBA Finals, Kevin Durant wasn’t about to hesitate when the stakes were at their highest. Back in the championship round in 2017 – his first season with the Golden State Warriors – Durant left little room for a second consecutive Cleveland Cavaliers Finals comeback, boldly drilling a monumental bucket to take a stranglehold on Game 3 and the series. After corralling a defensive rebound in the midst of a pivotal late-game run, Durant took the ball himself and made history over LeBron James with 45 seconds remaining. The clutch shot turned a two-point deficit into a one-point lead that the Warriors would not relinquish, and Durant’s 31 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four treys secured the unforgettable June 7, 2017 victory. The Warriors would go on to win the series in five games, the first of two straight titles and Finals MVP awards for Durant.

Championship Year