Players With Longest NBA Field Goals: In the NBA’s history, some players are remembered not just for being great, but also for making incredible shots. One special kind of shot is when players make a basket from really far away, like more than 70 feet (21 meters). These shots are often made when there’s not much time left in the game, and the player has to shoot from far away because there’s no time to get closer to the basket.
These long shots show off the amazing skills of NBA players and how exciting the game can be. They usually happen at the last second, adding to the thrill. It’s a reminder that in basketball, even things that seem impossible can happen. These shots inspire fans and other players to aim for greatness and push their limits.
Players With Longest NBA Field Goals
Now, let’s talk about 10 players who made some of the longest field goals in NBA history.
1. Baron Davis
- Distance: 89 feet
- Date: February 17, 2001
- Team: Charlotte Hornets
- Opponent Venue: Milwaukee Bucks
- Venue: Bradley Center
Baron Davis holds the record for the longest shot in NBA history. He made an 89-foot shot on February 17, 2001, when he played for the Charlotte Hornets against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center. This shot is considered the longest in NBA history. Officially, it’s marked as 89 feet, but some people think it might have traveled even farther, possibly reaching an incredible 94 feet.
Aside from this incredible shot, Baron Davis had an impressive basketball career. He was selected as an NBA All-Star two times, made it to the All-NBA Third Team in 2004, and led the NBA in steals twice. He was chosen as the third overall pick in the 1999 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets. Throughout his NBA career, he played for several teams, including the New Orleans Hornets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks.
Before entering the NBA, Baron Davis played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins. He was so good that he earned All-American honors before deciding to turn professional after his sophomore year.
2. Norm Van Lier
- Distance: 84 feet
- Date: January 19, 1977
- Team: Chicago Bulls
- Opponent Venue: San Antonio Spurs
- Venue: HemisFair Arena
Norm Van Lier achieved the second-longest successful field goal in NBA history with an amazing 84-foot shot on January 19, 1977. He made this incredible shot while playing for the Chicago Bulls in a game against the San Antonio Spurs. What makes it even more impressive is that he made the shot with just one second left on the clock and the Bulls were behind by one point.
Norm Van Lier held the record for the longest shot in the NBA for more than two decades until Baron Davis surpassed it in 2001 with an 89-foot shot. Even though his record was eventually broken, Van Lier’s shot remains etched in NBA history as one of the most memorable and awe-inspiring moments ever seen in the game.
3. Magic Johnson
- Distance: 84 feet
- Date: April 23, 1987 (NBA Playoffs)
- Team: Los Angeles Lakers
- Opponent Venue: Denver Nuggets
- Venue: The Forum
Magic Johnson, considered the greatest point guard in NBA history, made an unforgettable 84-foot shot during a playoff game against the Denver Nuggets on April 23, 1987. With just three seconds left on the clock and the Lakers trailing by two points, Johnson inbounded the ball from under the basket and launched it from near half-court. This iconic moment solidified his legendary status.
Johnson played 13 seasons in the NBA, leading the Lakers to five championships during the Showtime era. His career took an unexpected turn in 1991 when he retired due to contracting HIV but made a comeback in the 1992 All-Star Game. Despite protests, he retired again for four years before a brief return in 1996, playing 32 games for the Lakers before retiring for the final time. The 84-foot shot remains etched in basketball history, showcasing the magic and excitement of the game.
4. LeBron James
- Distance: 83 feet
- Date: January 3, 2007
- Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
- Opponent Venue: Boston Celtics
- Venue: TD Banknorth Garden
LeBron James made an incredible long shot of 83 feet in an NBA game on January 3, 2007, while playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Boston Celtics. He’s considered one of the best basketball players ever, often compared to Michael Jordan. LeBron is the highest scorer in NBA history, and he’s fourth in career assists. He won four NBA championships and competed in 10 NBA Finals, playing in eight consecutive Finals from 2011 to 2018.
LeBron has received numerous awards, including four Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, four Finals MVP Awards, and two Olympic gold medals. He’s been an All-Star 19 times, chosen for the All-NBA Team 19 times, and the All-Defensive Team six times. As of October 2023, he’s the oldest player in the NBA.
Known for his athleticism, shooting skills, and clutch performances, LeBron once made a memorable shot from way beyond half-court. He inbounded the ball, took a quick shot, and scored just as the buzzer sounded. The crowd at the TD Banknorth Garden went wild with excitement.
5. Herb Williams
- Distance: 81 feet
- Date: January 8, 1986
- Team: Indiana Pacers
- Opponent Venue: Sacramento Kings
- Venue: Market Square Arena
Herb Williams achieved something extraordinary in the NBA, making the fifth-longest successful field goal in history with an incredible 81-foot shot on January 8, 1986. He did this while playing for the Indiana Pacers against the Sacramento Kings. The memorable shot happened with just one second left on the clock, and the Pacers were trailing by one point.
This remarkable record held strong for more than two decades until Norm Van Lier surpassed it with an 84-foot shot in 1977. Williams’s incredible shot is forever remembered in NBA history as one of the most awe-inspiring moments the game has ever seen.
6. Ziaire Williams
- Distance: 79 feet
- Date: January 22, 2023
- Team: Memphis Grizzlies
- Opponent Venue: Phoenix Suns
- Venue: Footprint Center
Ziaire Williams made history in the NBA with the sixth-longest successful field goal, hitting an incredible 79-foot shot on January 22, 2023. This remarkable feat occurred while he was playing for the Memphis Grizzlies against the Phoenix Suns.
The memorable moment happened with just 0.5 seconds left in the third quarter, and the Grizzlies were trailing by 15 points. Williams grabbed an offensive rebound and, without wasting any time, took a shot from near the baseline. This shot by Williams is now forever etched in NBA history as one of the most memorable and awe-inspiring moments ever witnessed in the game.
7. Zoran Planinic
- Distance: 77 feet
- Date: November 9, 2005
- Team: New Jersey Nets
- Opponent Venue: Jazz Continental
- Venue: Airlines Arena
Zoran Planinić achieved a notable milestone in the NBA by making the seventh-longest successful field goal, hitting an incredible 77-foot shot on November 9, 2005. He accomplished this feat while playing for the New Jersey Nets against the Utah Jazz.
The impressive moment unfolded with just 0.5 seconds remaining on the clock, and the Nets were trailing by two points. Planinić inbounded the ball from the sideline and swiftly took a shot from near half-court. The ball defied expectations, soaring through the air and finding its way through the net just as the buzzer sounded, causing the crowd at the Continental Airlines Arena to erupt in excitement.
Planinić’s remarkable shot not only highlighted his exceptional shooting range but also showcased his ability to make big plays in crucial moments.
8. Vince Carter
- Distance: 72 feet
- Date: February 19, 2016
- Team: Memphis Grizzlies
- Opponent Venue: Minnesota Timberwolves
- Venue: FedExForum
Vince Carter holds the record for the eighth-longest successful field goal in NBA history, with an astounding 72-foot shot on February 19, 2016, while playing for the Memphis Grizzlies. Throughout his remarkable 22-season career, he earned eight All-Star appearances and two All-NBA Team selections.
Carter, known for his explosive dunks and clutch performances, showcased his versatility as both a prolific dunker and a three-point shooter.
9. Darius Miller
- Distance: 72 feet
- Date: April 28, 2018 (NBA Playoffs)
- Team: New Orleans Pelicans
- Opponent Venue: Golden State Warriors
- Venue: Oracle Arena
Darius Miller made an amazing 72-foot shot in an NBA game on April 28, 2018, when he played for the New Orleans Pelicans against the Golden State Warriors. This incredible shot is the ninth-longest successful field goal in NBA history.
This memorable moment not only made Darius Miller a basketball legend but also showed how basketball can bring unexpected and awe-inspiring moments.
10. Andre Drummond
- Distance: 71 feet
- Date: February 8, 2016
- Team: Detroit Pistons
- Opponent Venue: Toronto Raptors
- Venue: The Palace of Auburn Hills
Andre Drummond made an amazing 71-foot shot in an NBA game on February 8, 2016, while playing for the Detroit Pistons against the Toronto Raptors. This incredible shot is the tenth-longest successful field goal in NBA history.
Before his NBA career, Drummond was highly rated in the high school class of 2011. He played one season of college basketball with the Connecticut Huskies before entering the NBA draft. Drummond had a strong start in the NBA, being named to the All-Rookie Second Team in 2013. He earned his first All-Star selection in 2016. Later in 2020, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Drummond is known for his impressive skills in rebounding and shot-blocking. In the memorable game where he made the 71-foot shot, he inbounded the ball and quickly assessed the court.
