In the pressure-filled world of the NBA playoffs, few debates spark more intensity than the question of who rises higher in clutch moments. Michael Jordan and LeBron James stand as the defining players of their generations.
With under 24 seconds left and the game hanging on a single shot, the stakes shift dramatically. How they perform in those situations is a story in itself.
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This article examines playoff clutch shot attempts, analyzing makes, misses, and context, to see which legend handles late-game pressure best.
Drawing from extensive research on playoff performances, the numbers reveal a nuanced picture: Jordan’s efficiency shines, while LeBron’s volume impresses.
Michael Jordan: The efficient assassin (9-18, 50%)
Jordan’s playoff career spanned 179 games, but his clutch attempts in these ultra specific scenarios number just 18, reflecting both his dominance and the Chicago Bulls’ team strength. His 50% success rate is elite, often delivering in Finals or elimination situations. Here is every shot, chronologically:
Michael Jordan clutch stats
Playoffs — Shots to Tie or Take Lead
≤24 Seconds (4th / OT)
Makes (9)
–April 24, 1985 Eastern Conference First Round Game 3 (22.0 seconds left in 4th): Chicago trailing 107-106, Jordan nailed a go-ahead jumper off an out of bounds play. Made.
–May 7, 1989 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Eastern Conference First Round Game 5 (6.0 seconds left in 4th): Chicago trailing 98-97, Jordan hit a pull-up jumper to give the Bulls the lead. Made.
–May 7, 1989 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Eastern Conference First Round Game 5 (as time expired in 4th): Chicago trailing 100-99, Jordan hit the famous jumper known as “The Shot” over Craig Ehlo to win the series. Made.
–May 27, 1989 vs. Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference Finals Game 3 (3.0 seconds left in 4th): Game tied 97-97, Jordan connected on a runner to give the Bulls the victory. Made.
–June 7, 1991 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Finals Game 3 (3.4 seconds left in 4th): Chicago trailing 92-90, Jordan scored a pull-up jumper to tie the game. Made.
–May 17, 1993 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 (as time expired in 4th): Game tied 101-101, Jordan nailed a fadeaway at the buzzer to win the series. Made.
–May 11, 1996 vs. New York Knicks, Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 (19.4 seconds left in 4th): Chicago trailing 88-85, Jordan drilled a three to tie the game. Made.
–June 1, 1997 vs. Utah Jazz, NBA Finals Game 1 (as time expired in 4th): Game tied 82-82, Jordan hit a jumper at the buzzer to give Chicago the victory. Made.
–June 14, 1998 vs. Utah Jazz, NBA Finals Game 6 (5.2 seconds left): Chicago trailing 86-85, Jordan hit the famous pull-up jumper over Bryon Russell to win the championship. Made.
Misses (9)
–April 20, 1986 vs. Boston Celtics, First Round Game 2 (2.0 seconds left in overtime): Game tied 125-125, Jordan’s jumper to win missed. Missed.
–May 5, 1989 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, First Round Game 4 (as time expired): Game tied 99-99, Jordan missed a jumper to win. Missed.
–June 2, 1991 vs. Los Angeles Lakers, NBA Finals Game 1 (2.0 seconds left in 4th): Chicago trailing 92-91, Jordan’s jumper rimmed out. Missed.
–June 5, 1992 vs. Portland Trail Blazers, NBA Finals Game 2 (as time expired in 4th): Game tied 97-97, Jordan missed a jumper to win at the buzzer. Missed.
–May 11, 1996 vs. New York Knicks, Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 (as time expired in 4th): Game tied 88-88, Jordan’s over the head heave missed at the buzzer. Missed.
–April 30, 1997 vs. Washington Bullets, Eastern Conference First Round Game 3 (11.0 seconds left in 4th): Chicago trailing 95-94, Jordan’s shot slipped out of his hands. Missed.
–June 8, 1997 vs. Utah Jazz, NBA Finals Game 4 (9.0 seconds left in 4th): Chicago trailing 76-73, Jordan’s three pointer rimmed out. Missed.
–May 25, 1998 vs. Indiana Pacers, Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 (as time expired in 4th): Chicago trailing 96-94, Jordan’s double clutch three at the buzzer rimmed out. Missed.
–June 12, 1998 vs. Utah Jazz, NBA Finals Game 5 (as time expired): Chicago trailing 83-81, Jordan’s three point heave at the buzzer missed. Missed.
LeBron James: The longevity king (11-31, 35.5%)
LeBron’s 292 playoff games produce more attempts at 31 and more makes with 11. His 35.5% is lower than Jordan’s, but the volume highlights his longevity and his teams’ reliance on him in late game situations.
LeBron James clutch stats
Playoffs — Shots to Tie or Take Lead
≤24 Seconds (4th / OT)
Makes (11)
–April 28, 2006 vs. Washington Wizards, Eastern Conference First Round Game 3 (5.7 seconds left in 4th): Cavaliers trailing 96-95, LeBron drove into the lane and hit a contested shot to take the lead. Made.
–May 3, 2006 vs. Washington Wizards, Eastern Conference First Round Game 5 (0.9 seconds left in 4th): Cavaliers trailing 120-119, LeBron drove baseline and connected on a game-winning layup. Made.
–May 31, 2007 vs. Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 (9.5 seconds left in 4th): Cavaliers trailing 91-89, LeBron scored a driving dunk to tie the game. Made.
–May 31, 2007 vs. Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 (2.2 seconds left in 2OT): Game tied 107-107, LeBron scored a driving layup to give Cleveland the lead. Made.
–May 22, 2009 vs. Orlando Magic, Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 (as time expired in 4th): Cleveland trailing 95-93, LeBron hit a catch and shoot three from the top of the arc to win at the buzzer. Made.
–May 26, 2013 vs. Indiana Pacers, Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 (10.8 seconds left in overtime): Game tied 99-99, LeBron drove to the rim for a go-ahead layup. Made.
–May 22, 2013 vs. Indiana Pacers, Eastern Conference Finals Game 1 (as time expired in overtime): Miami trailing 102-101, LeBron cut to the rim for a game-winning layup. Made.
–May 8, 2015 vs. Chicago Bulls, Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 (as time expired in 4th): Game tied 84-84, LeBron hit a jumper at the buzzer. Made.
–April 25, 2018 vs. Indiana Pacers, Eastern Conference First Round Game 5 (as time expired in 4th): Game tied 95-95, LeBron drilled a three at the buzzer to win. Made.
–May 5, 2018 vs. Toronto Raptors, Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 (as time expired in 4th): Game tied 103-103, LeBron banked in a running floater at the buzzer to win. Made.
–April 24, 2023 vs. Memphis Grizzlies, Western Conference First Round Game 4 (0.8 seconds left in 4th): Los Angeles trailing 104-102, LeBron tied the game with a layup. Made.
Misses (20)
–May 3, 2006 vs. Washington Wizards, Eastern Conference First Round Game 5 (as time expired in 4th): Game tied 107-107, LeBron attempted a 20 foot jumper. Missed.
–May 24, 2007 vs. Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 (7.9 seconds left in 4th): Cavaliers trailing 77-76, LeBron missed a hook shot to take the lead. Missed.
–June 12, 2007 vs. San Antonio Spurs, NBA Finals Game 3 (1.9 seconds left in 4th): Cavaliers trailing 75-72, LeBron missed a three to tie the game. Missed.
–April 30, 2008 vs. Washington Wizards, Eastern Conference First Round Game 5 (as time expired in 4th): Cleveland trailing 88-87, LeBron missed a four foot running jumper at the buzzer. Missed.
–May 6, 2008 vs. Boston Celtics, Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1 (9.9 seconds left in 4th): Cleveland trailing 74-72, LeBron missed a layup to tie. Missed.
–May 26, 2009 vs. Orlando Magic, Eastern Conference Finals Game 4 (as time expired in 4th): Cleveland trailing 116-114, LeBron missed a three at the buzzer to tie. Missed.
–April 24, 2011 vs. Philadelphia 76ers, Eastern Conference First Round Game 4 (3.8 seconds left in 4th): Miami trailing 84-82, LeBron’s short jumper was blocked. Missed.
–May 30, 2012 vs. Boston Celtics, Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 (20.9 seconds left in 4th): Game tied 99-99, LeBron missed a layup to take the lead. Missed.
–May 30, 2012 vs. Boston Celtics, Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 (1.9 seconds left in 4th): Game tied 99-99, LeBron missed a 22 foot jumper to take the lead. Missed.
–June 18, 2013 vs. San Antonio Spurs, NBA Finals Game 6 (7.9 seconds left in 4th): Miami trailing 95-92, LeBron missed a three to tie the game. Missed.
–May 8, 2015 vs. Chicago Bulls, Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 3 (24.0 seconds left in 4th): Cleveland trailing 94-93, LeBron missed a layup to take the lead. Missed.
–May 8, 2015 vs. Chicago Bulls, Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4 (2.0 seconds left in 4th): Game tied 84-84, LeBron’s layup attempt was blocked. Missed.
–June 4, 2015 vs. Golden State Warriors, NBA Finals Game 1 (4.0 seconds left in 4th): Game tied 98-98, LeBron missed a jumper to win. Missed.
–June 7, 2015 vs. Golden State Warriors, NBA Finals Game 2 (2.0 seconds left in 4th): Game tied 87-87, LeBron’s driving layup missed. Missed.
–June 7, 2015 vs. Golden State Warriors, NBA Finals Game 2 (23.0 seconds left in overtime): Cleveland trailing 93-92, LeBron’s layup was blocked. Missed.
–June 7, 2017 vs. Golden State Warriors, NBA Finals Game 3 (12.0 seconds left in 4th): Cleveland trailing 116-113, LeBron’s three to tie was blocked. Missed.
–May 1, 2018 vs. Toronto Raptors, Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 1 (as time expired in 4th): Game tied 105-105, LeBron’s 20 foot jumper missed at the buzzer. Missed.
–October 9, 2020 vs. Miami Heat, NBA Finals Game 5 (as time expired in 4th): Los Angeles trailing 111-108, LeBron’s 40 foot heave at the buzzer came up short. Missed.
–May 22, 2023 vs. Denver Nuggets, Western Conference Finals Game 4 (as time expired in 4th): Lakers trailing 113-111, LeBron’s layup to tie was blocked. Missed.
–April 22, 2024 vs. Denver Nuggets, Western Conference First Round Game 2 (16.0 seconds left in 4th): Game tied 99-99, LeBron’s open three missed. Missed.
The Verdict: Who is more clutch?
Comparing the raw numbers, Jordan’s 50% efficiency makes him the more effective scorer in these moments, while LeBron’s 35.5% reflects lower efficiency but greater volume. Jordan took fewer shots and converted at a higher rate. LeBron took more shots and accumulated more total makes.
Ultimately, both players are legends, but Jordan’s efficiency and mythic moments give him the edge as the more clutch player.
Do you agree Jordan is the most clutch player in NBA history? If not, who sits at the top of your list?
