I always loved a buzzer-beater – and the WNBA has provided countless unforgettable moments. But none better than these 10 last-second shots we found!
We’ve gathered together some of the best buzzer-beaters in WNBA history that will give you chills! These last-second shots are the epitome of high-stakes W drama, showcasing the poise of the league’s most clutch players.
1. Teresa Weatherspoon with “The Shot” in 1999 (New York Liberty)
You know we had to start with the most iconic shot in league history.
With 2.4 seconds left in Game 2 of the 1999 WNBA Finals, Teresa Weatherspoon took an inbound pass, dribbled twice, and launched a miraculous half-court shot that banked in as time expired.
The shot forced a decisive Game 3 against the Houston Comets and is remembered as one of the greatest moments in WNBA history.
2. Courtney Vandersloot’s 2022 Game-Winning Three (Chicago Sky)
During a regular season game against the Minnesota Lynx, Courtney Vandersloot showcased her clutch gene.
With the game tied and only seconds remaining, Vandersloot found herself guarded and had to give the ball up. She tossed the ball to a teammate and then quickly set herself up beyond the arc, ready to let fly an open three-pointer as soon as she got it back.
The ball swished through the net as the buzzer sounded, giving the Chicago Sky a dramatic win.
3. Jewell Loyd’s 2021 Game-Winning Three in OT (Seattle Storm)
Jewell Loyd’s buzzer-beater against the Dallas Wings in 2021 was an example of her ice-cold nerves.
With the game tied and just 0.8 seconds left, Loyd came off an elevator screen for a quick catch-and-shoot three-pointer at the top of the key.
The shot left her hand just before the buzzer went off and dropped right into the rim, securing the win for the Seattle Storm and highlighting Loyd as a clutch performer.
4. Alana Beard’s 2016 Finals Buzzer-Beater 3 (Los Angeles Sparks)
Alana Beard’s game-winning jumper in Game 1 of the 2016 WNBA Finals set the tone for a thrilling series against the Minnesota Lynx.
With the score tied, she received a pass on the baseline and drilled a three-pointer as the clock hit zero.
The shot gave the Sparks a crucial victory and was pivotal in their eventual championship win.
5. Chelsea Gray’s Buzzer Drive to Open the 2018 Season (Los Angeles Sparks)
Chelsea Gray is one of the best clutch players in the WNBA, and she could fill up a list of buzzer-beaters on her own.
Down 1 and with the clock winding down, Gray spun and drove, then pulled up a double-pump layup while surrounded by three much-bigger defenders.
The ball dropped through the hoop as time expired, securing a win for the Los Angeles Sparks to open the 2018 season.
6. Shey Peddy’s 2020 Buzzer Three Sends Team to Next Round (Phoenix Mercury)
Shey Peddy’s game-winning three-pointer against the Washington Mystics in the 2020 WNBA Playoffs was a wild moment for the Phoenix Mercury.
Trailing by two points with only a few seconds left, Peddy caught a cross-court pass beyond the arc. She pump-faked to send a closing-out defender past, then launched a three-point shot that hit nothing but the net as the buzzer sounded.
The shot eliminated the Mystics and advanced the Mercury to the next round.
7. Rickea Jackson’s 2024 Buzzer-Beater is the First Bucket of her WNBA Career (Los Angeles Sparks)
WNBA rookie Rickea Jackson kicked off her scoring history in the WNBA in 2024 with a steal and buzzer-beater layup.
With seconds left in the half, Jackson stole the ball when the offense tried a spin move near half-court. She used her speed to beat everyone else down the floor for an uncontested layup as the buzzer sounded.
8. Tiffany Hayes’ 2018 Half-Court Heave Winner (Atlanta Dream)
In a thrilling regular season game, Tiffany Hayes hit a game-winning half-court heave at the buzzer to defeat the Connecticut Sun.
With the game tied and seconds remaining, Hayes intercepted a pass and took it a few dribbles down the floor before launching a high-arcing shot beyond half-court that swished through the net as the buzzer went off.
9. Courtney Williams’ Game-Clinching Three in 2021 (Atlanta Dream)
Courtney Williams’ buzzer-beater against the New York Liberty in the 2021 regular season clinched a dramatic win for the Atlanta Dream.
With the game tied and just seconds on the clock, Williams received a pass from the sideline near mid-court. Using a ball screen, she dribbled to the right wing and pulled up for an open three.
10. Maya Moore’s Buzzer Beater in Game 3 of the 2015 WNBA Finals (Minnesota Lynx)
This Maya Moore buzzer-beater is one of the most memorable shots in league history.
In Game 3 of the 2015 WNBA Finals against the Indiana Fever, the score was tied and seconds dwindled. Moore caught a sideline inbound pass near the three-point line.
She pumpfaked and dribbled once to her right to create space from her defender, and launched a high-arcing buzzer three-pointer. It secured a crucial playoff win victory for the Minnesota Lynx.
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Featured image uses photo: By SusanLesch – Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=63377998
