WNBA Top 10 Plays & Teresa Weatherspoon 1999 Heave Explorer

Interactive 50-Foot Buzzer-Beater Simulation

Physics Engine

Launch Angle 42.5°

Initial Velocity 68.4 ft/s

Shot Result

Swish / Game-Winner

Success

Arc Apex

24.8 ft

Travel Time

1.62 s

Target Distance

50.0 ft

WNBA #WNBASeason30 Top 10 Plays

Rankings Archive

#1 Teresa Weatherspoon 50-Foot Heave (1999)

Legendary buzzer-beater in Game 2 of the 1999 WNBA Finals to keep the New York Liberty alive against the Houston Comets.

"THE moment. THE SHOT. THE No. 1 play 🏆 Teresa Weatherspoon’s legendary 50-foot heave to keep the @nyliberty alive in the 1999 WNBA Finals takes its place at No. 1️⃣"

1999 WNBA Finals Game 2 Context & Significance

Historical Breakdown

The Game Situation

September 4, 1999. Compaq Center, Houston. The New York Liberty trailed the Houston Comets 67-65 with just 2.4 seconds remaining. Houston was seconds away from sweeping the series and claiming their 3rd straight title.

"The Shot" Physics

Gathering the inbound pass, Weatherspoon pushed past half-court and let fly from exactly 50 feet out. Reaching an arc apex of ~24.8 feet over a 1.62-second flight, the ball bank-swished cleanly as the buzzer sounded, winning the game 68-67.

Legacy & Recognition

Celebrated as the consensus greatest play in league history. As part of #WNBASeason30, the WNBA officially named this iconic moment as the No. 1 Play of all time in the WNBA Top 10 Plays countdown.