What are the longest game-winning shots in NBA history? Devonte' Graham tops list with 61-foot buzzer-beater

Gilbert McGregor

What are the longest game-winning shots in NBA history? Devonte' Graham tops list with 61-foot buzzer-beater image

Pelicans guard Devonte' Graham turned in his submission for the highlight of the year with a 61-foot game-winning buzzer-beater against the Thunder.

If you're wondering whether or not the shot looks as wild as it sounds, it doesn't. Somehow, it's even wilder.

Appropriate for the NBA's landmark 75th season, Graham rewrote history with his shot, sinking what is now the longest game-winning buzzer-beater in NBA history, a record previously held by Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.

We can't mention Abdul-Rauf's shot without the footage, right?

In the spirit of the moment, here are four other long (and extremely unlikely) game-winning buzzer-beaters.

1992 – Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (55 feet)

Abdul-Rauf's game-winner had a 29-year run at the top.

With things tied at 106, Abdul-Rauf grabbed the rebound off of a Dikembe Mutombo block and, per the broadcast, delivered the Nuggets their first road win of the season from well beyond half court.

1986 – Julius Erving (53 feet)

Come for Dr. J's awkward-looking one-dribble halfcourt heave, stay for Bill Russell's disbelief as the color analyst.

There's also a young Charles Barkley involved in the celebration. This is peak 1980s NBA.

2010 – Tyreke Evans (50 feet)

Similar to Graham's heave, Evans' game-winner is an example of one good shot deserving another.

After a tough jumper from OJ Mayo to put the Grizzlies ahead, Evans takes the inbound pass with 1.5 seconds, dribbles, double clutches and sends it home. The most impressive part? Donté Greene looked like he knew it was going in while the ball was still mid-air. 

2019 – Jeremy Lamb (48 feet)

This one wasn't 50 feet long but the degree of difficulty might be the greatest.

Lamb somehow gets the shot to go on a broken play, even over the outstretched arm of Raptors forward Pascal Siakam. Who was the first player to celebrate with Lamb? Devonte' Graham, of course. Talk about full circle.

Gilbert McGregor

Gilbert McGregor Photo

Gilbert McGregor first joined The Sporting News in 2018 as a content producer for Global editions of NBA.com. Before covering the game, McGregor played basketball collegiately at Wake Forest, graduating with a Communication degree in 2016. McGregor began covering the NBA during the 2017-18 season and has been on hand for a number of league events.