Down to the Wire: Great Finales of Sports in 2016

When it comes to spectacular game-endings, it doesn't get more dramatic than the 2016–17 season in sports. On Feb. 5 we witnessed the first overtime play in Super Bowl history, and before that we saw two Game 7's and college championships ending with just seconds left on the clock. Below are the awe-inspiring moments of 2016 and ’17 captured by our Sports Illustrated photographers.

Down to the Wire: Great Finales of Sports in 2016

NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game

Greg Nelson

Kris Jenkins of the the Villanova Wildcats makes a 3-point basket to beat North Carolina 77-74 in the championship game of the Final Four.

NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game

Greg Nelson

The Villanova Wildcats celebrate after Kris Jenkins made a 3-point basket to beat North Carolina 77-74.

NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game

John W. McDonough

Confetti and streamers fall as the Villanova Wildcats celebrate the championship win to defeat North Carolina.

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NBA Finals

Greg Nelson

LeBron James, Kevin Love and JR Smith of the Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate after winning the NBA Championship. The Cavaliers came back from a 3-game deficit to take home the championship title against the Golden State Warriors.

NBA Finals

Greg Nelson

LeBron James and Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate with the Larry O'Brien trophy after defeating the Golden State Warriors in Game 7.

NBA Finals

John W. McDonough

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers blocks a shot attempt by Steph Curry of the Golden State Warriors in Game 7.

NBA Finals

John W. McDonough

Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers makes a 3-point basket with less than a min to go in the fourth quarter to put Cleveland up 92-89.

World Series

Al Tielemans

Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs celebrate after they recorded the last out to clinch the World Series Game 7 win.

World Series

David E. Klutho

Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs slides into home to score against Roberto Perez of the Cleveland Indians in the 4th inning of Game 7.

World Series

David E. Klutho

The Chicago Cubs celebrate after they defeated the Cleveland Indians to win the World Series in game 7.

NCAA College Football Championships

Simon Bruty

Deshaun Watson of the Clemson Tigers is stopped just short of the endzone by Rashaan Evans and Dalvin Tomlinson of the Alabama Crimson Tide on a 15-yard run in the fourth quarter.

NCAA College Football Championships

Simon Bruty

Hunter Renfrow of the Clemson Tigers catches the game-winning 2-yard touchdown reception, from QB Deshaun Watson (4), with 1 second left on the clock against Tony Brown of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

NCAA College Football Championships

Al Tielemans

Head coach Dabo Swinney and quarterback Deshaun Watson of the Clemson Tigers celebrate after they defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide.

NCAA College Football Championships

Jordan Naholowa’a Murph

The Clemson Tigers rush the field as they celebrate their win over Alabama.

Super Bowl LI

Al Tielemans

Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons fumbles the ball on strip sack by Dont'a Hightower (54) of the New England Patriots.

Super Bowl LI

Al Tielemans

Quarterback Tom Brady of the New England Patriots celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy.

Super Bowl LI

Simon Bruty

Danny Amendola of the New England Patriots scores a 2-point conversion in the fourth quarter to tie the game 28-28.

Super Bowl LI

Walter Iooss Jr

Tom Brady (12) of the New England Patriots drops back to pass in the first half of Super Bowl LI.