17 for '17: Best NBA photos of the year
Video has become the most engaging way to revisit an incredible moment in sports, but that will never diminish a timely photo's ability to encapsulate the perfect shot in just a single frame.
The past 365 days in the NBA were filled with captivating moments, incredible plays, and lasting memories - plenty of them captured by expert photographers.
Here are 17 of the best photos of 2017 in the NBA:
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Feb. 5: Paul Pierce sits alone on the Clippers bench in front of a packed Celtics crowd in his last career game at TD Garden.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Feb. 8: Knicks legend Charles Oakley is escorted out of Madison Square Garden after an altercation with team president James Dolan.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Feb. 11: A popular Kevin Durant returns to Oklahoma City for the first time since signing with the Warriors as a free agent.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
March 21: Robin Lopez is incensed after he and Serge Ibaka barely miss trading heavy blows in a late-season brawl.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
March 24: Devin Booker can't help but flash a smile as he drops 70 points on the Celtics in a career night.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
April 16: Before Game 1 against Chicago, Isaiah Thomas inscribes his shoes with the name of his sister, Chyna, who tragically died in a car accident the day prior.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
April 18: Giannis Antetokounmpo's freakish wingspan is on full display in the playoffs with this absurd dunk in traffic in Game 2 against the Raptors.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
May 20: Kawhi Leonard watches helplessly from the bench as his Spurs take on the Warriors in the Western Conference finals.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
June 7: LeBron James rises up for a lay-up in Game 3 of The Finals, to create an image resembling a renaissance painting.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
June 12: Draymond Green saves Klay Thompson from a nasty spill by catching him in mid-air in Game 5.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
June 12: Kevin Durant is surrounded by his Warriors teammates and his cheering mother after winning his first NBA title and being named Finals MVP.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
June 22: The Philadelphia 76ers' winding process takes another step forward when they draft former Huskies guard Markelle Fultz first overall.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
June 26: Russell Westbrook chokes up slightly as he thanks his family during his MVP acceptance speech.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Oct. 17: Gordon Hayward is caught grimacing in severe pain after suffering a devastating leg and ankle injury just five minutes into his Celtics debut.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Oct. 19: Lonzo Ball heads to the locker room during his first official NBA game as Lakers fans reach out for their touted point guard of the future.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Dec. 16: Carmelo Anthony prepares to step on the MSG court for the first time since leaving New York, as Knicks fans stare down the Thunder forward.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Dec. 18: Kobe Bryant takes center stage on the Staples Center floor one last time as the Lakers retire both his No. 8 and No. 24 during a half-time celebration.