Mike Breen reveals the rare criteria behind his iconic 'bang!' call and what it takes to go triple

Time of India

16 hours ago

(Image Source - Getty Images)
In an insightful conversation with Dan Patrick, the voice of the NBA Finals explained what it would take to elicit a never before heard triple "Bang!" a playoff buzzer beater so legendary that it requires a massive reaction.
As Tyrese Haliburton gets hot with clutch shots, Breen's criteria for his iconic call is straightforward, it must be truly monumental. And there's only one moment that meets that standard.
Mike Breen
says only a
game 7
finals
buzzer beater
can unlock the first ever
triple bang
Mike Breen, the renowned play-by-play announcer for ABC and ESPN, is globally recognized for his legendary "Bang!" call brief yet powerful used for those game winning three pointers. He's even done double bangs before, like when Stephen Curry hit that 38 foot shot in the 2015–16 season and Luka Doncic's buzzer beater in the NBA bubble, but a triple "Bang!"? That would require something truly extraordinary.
In his chat with Dan Patrick, Breen confessed that it would only happen naturally, as a spontaneous response to an incredible play, not something that's planned or rehearsed.
During a chat about Tyrese Haliburton who just nailed some clutch game winners back to back Patrick asked Breen if a buzzer beater in a Finals Game 7 for the title would deserve a triple "Bang!" Breen leaned closer and replied, "I have to do it in that case."
But he added a little twist: it's not only Haliburton, it could be anyone making that ideal shot, as long as it's a Game 7, Finals, buzzer beater.
Breen's iconic call traces back to his days at Fordham University. He would exclaim "Bang!" during college games to break through the crowd noise when a player hit a key shot. He mentioned to JJ Redick on The Old Man & The Three that this straightforward, sharp syllable turned into his hallmark, which he carried into high school, college, and eventually, pro broadcasts.
In the recent Finals, Breen was intentionally restrained. Following Tyrese Haliburton go ahead shot in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, he went with a simple "It's good, it's good" instead of his usual "Bang." He explained that he typically reserves "Bang" for three pointers and seldom uses it for two pointers, having only done so once before on a playoff game winner by Kobe Bryant.
Breen pointed out that none of his iconic calls like Steph Curry's double bang, Ray Allen's clutch Finals shot, or Luka Doncic's game winner were planned ahead of time.
They were all spontaneous, gut reactions that reflected the intense drama happening in the moment. A triple "Bang!" would need to surpass them all, matching Breen's own lofty standard: a buzzer beater three pointer in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to secure the championship.
In a league full of buzzer beaters, Mike Breen's iconic "Bang!" really stands out, it's sharp, electric, and well deserved. He's only repeated it once, and for a third time, we'd need a moment that's truly legendary.
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Tyrese Haliburton's recent brilliance just adds to the excitement, but Breen's rule is clear: Game 7, NBA Finals, buzzer beater to clinch the championship. If that historic shot goes down, the third "Bang!" won't just echo it will resonate throughout basketball history.