The NBA top plays on May 25, 2026 combined individual brilliance with high-stakes playoff intensity. Two series reached pivotal moments on the same night. In the West, San Antonio leveled things up against Oklahoma City. In the East, New York tightened its grip on Cleveland. Here is a breakdown of the five best moments from the night.
No. 5 Isaiah Joe drills a deep step-back 3
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Isaiah Joe opened the countdown with a smooth late-game highlight against the San Antonio Spurs. Joe created space with a sharp hesitation move. He then knocked down a contested step-back 3-pointer from the wing. The sequence showcased Oklahoma City’s ball movement and Joe’s confidence under pressure during Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. Even though the Thunder struggled offensively for much of the night, Joe’s shot provided one of the cleaner offensive moments from the matchup.
No. 4 Dylan Harper explodes for a driving dunk
Rookie sensation Dylan Harper electrified the San Antonio crowd with a powerful transition slam. After a defensive stop, Harper attacked the lane with speed and rose over rotating defenders for a thunderous finish. The dunk immediately energized the Spurs bench and highlighted the young guard’s athleticism and aggressive playoff mentality. Furthermore, Harper continued to provide key minutes throughout the series as San Antonio battled to even the Western Conference Finals.
No. 3 Luke Kornet finishes alley-oop from De’Aaron Fox
Veteran big man Luke Kornet delivered one of the night’s best finishes after De’Aaron Fox floated a perfect lob toward the rim. Kornet elevated above the defense and slammed it home with authority. As a result, the Spurs generated another momentum-shifting moment during their dominant second half. Fox’s court vision created the opportunity. Kornet’s emphatic finish brought the home crowd completely to its feet.
No. 2 Wembanyama stuns the arena with a halfcourt buzzer-beater
One of the most talked-about moments of the entire playoffs arrived when Victor Wembanyama launched a miracle shot from beyond halfcourt just before halftime. The towering Spurs superstar grabbed the ball with only seconds remaining. He then fired a perfectly timed heave that banked in as the buzzer sounded. The unbelievable shot sent the arena into chaos. Within minutes, it had exploded across social media as one of the defining images of the postseason.
Wembanyama was dominant throughout Game 4, finishing with 33 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals. San Antonio defeated Oklahoma City 103-82. Consequently, the Spurs tied the Western Conference Finals series at 2-2.
No. 1 Jalen Brunson delivers a cold-blooded playoff dagger
The top play of the night belonged to Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks. He produced a cold-blooded late-game sequence against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Brunson broke down his defender with a crossover before sinking a difficult shot in traffic during a crucial stretch. The play further cemented his reputation as one of the NBA’s most reliable postseason performers.
New York entered Game 4 with a commanding 3-0 series lead. The Knicks had won the previous matchup 121-108 behind another strong Brunson performance. With one more win, New York reaches the NBA Finals. Brunson, once again, proved why he has become the heartbeat of this Knicks playoff run.
Source: NBA broadcast highlights recap
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