Can one shot change NBA history? A game-winner in the Playoffs can send a ripple effect across the league, ending a series and changing the future of a franchise. 

During the mid-2010s, a new rivalry was born between the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers, revolving around three consecutive Eastern Conference showdowns in the NBA Playoffs. 

On May 5, 2018, that rivalry ended for good. The last time LeBron James hit a game-winning Playoffs buzzer-beater was on this day.

‍This week, you can own the Moment on NBA Top Shot — available in an App Exclusive Pack Drop on Thursday, September 14, at 3 PM ET, and a series of two different Leaderboards. 

LeBronto NBA Top Shot Moment

With seconds left in the 4th quarter and the game tied up, Cleveland’s King took an inbound pass the length of the court and banked a floating jumper over the outstretched arm of OG Anunoby, off the glass and through the net as the clock hit zero, for a decisive 3-0 series lead. 

After the Raptors clawed their way back from a huge 4th quarter deficit to tie the game, this signature game-winning shot cemented LeBron’s “LeBronto” nickname, and Cleveland would go on to defeat Toronto by 35 points in Game 4, sweeping the series.

What happened next? 

The Cavs would defeat the Celtics in 7, only to be swept by the Warriors in what would become the final of four consecutive NBA Finals showdowns between the two franchises. 

During that offseason, LeBron signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The Raptors, swept and defeated, would make arguably the most defining trade of their franchise, sending DeMar DeRozan (and other assets) to San Antonio in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. 

The following year, the Cavs and Lakers would both miss the Playoffs. 

As for the Toronto Raptors? That’s a story we’ll unpack another day…

LeBron’s Moment is the second of three Rare Anthology Moments being released this September – each minted to /299 and celebrating our trilogy of active players (and icons) with open Anthologies today — as Top Shot goes back in time this September and October leading up to the new NBA season. 

September 5-7: Kevin Durant from the 2019 NBA Playoffs (Now Available)

September 12-14: LeBron James from the 2018 NBA Playoffs (Dropping This Week)

September 18-20: Steph Curry from the 2015 NBA Playoffs

For the first Rare Anthology Moments from our trilogy of KD, LeBron, and Steph, collectors will have 5 different ways to add these Moments to their collections — with 74 available as prizes and 225 available in Packs! 

SINGLE PRIZE LEADERBOARD (SEPT 12-13)

TOP 50 LEADERBOARD (SEPT 13-14)

  • ‍‍Win 1 of 50 Rare Anthology Moments in a Burn Leaderboard that rewards the Top 50 participants.
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  • 50 collectors will win the prize and have their Moments burned, and LBJ’s Legendary, Rare, Fandom, and Common Moments are eligible.
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  • The #1 and #299 serial number Moments will be in the Packs sold and will not be in these Leaderboard Rewards.

PLAYER LEADERBOARD WEIGHTED DRAWING (SNAPSHOT TAKEN)

  • ‍‍Win 1 of 20 Rare Anthology Moments in a Weighted Drawing of the Top 1,000 members of LeBron’s Player Leaderboard.
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  • Each point of Top Shot Score on the Player Leaderboard is an entry into the weighted drawing.
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  • The LeBron James Player Leaderboard Snapshot was taken at 9 AM ET on September 12, 2023, and a Player Leaderboard Snapshot for Steph will be taken next week. The winners of this Weighted Drawing can be found below.
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  • These Packs will be delivered on Thursday, September 14.
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  • The #1 and #299 serial number Moments will be in the Packs sold and will not be in these Leaderboard Rewards.

CHASING ANTHOLOGY PACK DROP (LIVE THURSDAY AT 3 PM ET)

  • ‍‍Find a Rare LeBron James Anthology Moment (3% chance) in an App Exclusive Pack! Details on the Drop can be found below.

FUTURE PRIZES‍

  • Win 1 of 3 Rare Anthology Moments as a prize during the 2023-24 NBA season.

Chasing History: Anthology Trilogy Packs featuring LeBron James will go on sale at 3 PM ET on Thursday, September 14, on the NBA Top Shot App. 

  • There are 7,500 total Packs, and each Pack contains 6 Moments from Series 4, with a 3% Chance at LBJ’s Rare Anthology. The other 5 Moments are Base Set or Parallel Moments.
  • 7,000 total Packs will be made available, for $9.99 USD each, for all collectors this Thursday at 3 PM ET. 
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  • 500 Packs are now available, for $9.99 USD each, exclusively for new collectors.

As we continue exploring NBA history this September and October, Steph Curry’s Rare Anthology will see the first Rare Moment introduced with the same Jersey Match Leaderboard, Top 50 Leaderboard, Player Leaderboard, and Future Prize structure, along with a Pack Drop. 

Then, we’ll Run It Back…

LAST UPDATED ON
Sep 13, 2023 3:22 PM