Mike Breen bang bang story: Every time the ESPN announcer has performed a rare double ‘bang’ during NBA broadcasts

It’s hard to find a better basketball announcer currently in the game than Mike Breen.

The ESPN play-by-play announcer and primary voice of the Knicks at MSG never fails to bring the energy to the booth. From stunning buzzer-beaters to sensational blocks and ferocious dunks, Breen is always on his A-game when he’s in front of the microphone. The legendary broadcaster has already carved out a role as one of the best voices in basketball, joining the likes of Hubie Brown, Marv Albert and Chick Hearn.

Every speaker has a calling card: a phrase they should use from time to time to truly capture the moment. For Breen, that’s his iconic “hit,” which usually comes when he makes a game-winning three-pointer.

While Breen’s “bang” is rare, it is uttered quite frequently over the course of a season. However, even more lame is the infamous “double whammy” of him. Only a handful of plays during his time on the mic have warranted not one, but two “hits” from Breen.

So, which works have received special treatment from the speaker? Here’s a timeline of every double “bang” in Breen’s television career.

Chronology of Mike Breen’s double ‘bang’

Steph Curry, Warriors vs. Thunder, 2015-16 regular season

How fitting is it that Breen’s first double “bang” came courtesy of the greatest 3-point shooter in NBA history?

The first time fans heard one of his rare calls was in 2016 during a game between the Warriors and Thunder. Steph Curry was cooking as usual, but the game seemed destined for overtime, with the two teams tied at 118-118 with just seconds left in regulation.

The sniper had already made 11 three-point attempts before having the ball in his hands with seconds on the clock. Instead of using a timeout, Curry stepped away from the logo and made an incredible shot, paving the way for the “bang, bang!” inaugural.

“Curry, on the way downtown… BANG ?”#TeamDay | @Warriors pic.twitter.com/CzzLPdybjf

—NBA TV (@NBATV) August 2, 2019

The shot not only gave the Warriors the lead with less than a second left, but tied the NBA record for most three-pointers made in a single game with 12.

Eric Gordon, Rockets vs. Lakers, 2018-19 regular season

It took Breen three years to deliver another of his iconic phrases into the microphone. This time she came courtesy of Eric Gordon.

During a regular season matchup between the Rockets and Lakers, Houston found itself trailing 120-117 and running out of time. With only 4.9 seconds on the clock, the team has to find an open player out of bounds to look beyond the arc.

Gordon had that look. He accepted the pass, faked two Los Angeles defenders and scored an off-balance, awkward-looking shot. He was good enough to find the basket, tying the game at 120-120 and prompting Breen’s double “bang.”

The Rockets defeated the Lakers 138-134 in overtime to win the contest in January.

Luka Doncic, Mavericks vs. Clippers, Game 2 of the 2020 Western Conference first round

There may not have been fans in the stands during the 2020 NBA playoff bubble, but Breen made sure viewers felt the impact of the moment after a game-winning basket by Luka Doncic.

The Mavericks were down 133-132 to the Clippers in the second game of their first-round series. With just 3.7 seconds left, Dallas had to put the ball in play and get it toward the basket as quickly as possible. Dorian Finney-Smith found Doncic, who then created space for his defender with his handles and unleashed the shot with fractions of a second left.

It was successful and Breen exploded with his “bang, bang!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrofDLjBFLE

The basket capped a 43-point night for Doncic. Despite the victory, the Mavericks ultimately lost the series 4-2 to the Clippers.

Marcus Smart, Celtics vs. Knicks, 2021-22 regular season

Breen may be the voice of the Knicks, but that doesn’t mean he won’t use his catchphrase when a shot falls against New York.

That was the case in the first game of the 2021-22 season between the Celtics and the Knicks. In an exciting contest between rivals, the game went down to the wire, with New York holding a 116-113 lead with 4.8 seconds left. After receiving the inbounds pass, Jayson Tatum slipped, which looked like it would doom the Celtics. But he recovered, hitting Dennis Schroder with a pass, who then found an open Marcus Smart behind the arc. He missed the long shot and tied the game at zero on the clock, forcing overtime.

The Knicks had the last laugh during the extra periods. It took two overtimes, but New York ultimately emerged victorious, beating Boston 138-134.

Julius Randle, Knicks vs. Heat, 2022-23 regular season

The first Knick to receive the double “explosion” treatment ended up being one of the most unlikely shooters.

In a game in March 2023, Miami had New York on the ropes, leading by one point with 12 seconds left in regulation. Jimmy Butler stopped Julius Randle, who fumbled not once, but twice before regaining possession. Knowing he had little time left to shoot, the forward stepped back and hit a three-pointer as a last-second effort to save the game.

Randle knocked down the three-point attempt, giving New York a 122-120 lead and a victory over the Heat. He marked the team’s eighth consecutive victory at that time.

Steph Curry, Warriors vs. Lakers, 2023-24 regular season

For the second time in his career, Curry was responsible for Breen’s “bang, bang.”

A Saturday matinee game in late January 2024 between the Warriors and the Lakers did not disappoint. The ABC contest went to double overtime, with Curry going back and forth with LeBron James. In the second overtime, Los Angeles was up 143-141 with just 7.3 seconds left on the clock.

That was too long for Curry, who received an inbounds pass and launched a deep 3-point attempt. Like many in his career, the shot fell, giving Golden State a 144-143 lead with four seconds left.

STEPH BY 3 AND THE LEADER WITH 4.7 REMAINS.

HE IS 46.#NBARivalsWeek on ABC pic.twitter.com/tqqFrUxrfj

—NBA (@NBA) January 28, 2024

The only problem? That wasn’t the most decisive shot of the game. James was fouled on his way to the basket with 1.2 seconds left and made both free throws to give the Lakers a 145-144 victory over the Warriors.

Donte DiVincenzo, Knicks vs. 76ers, Game 2 of the 2024 Eastern Conference first round

Game 2 of the 2024 Eastern Conference first-round series between the Knicks and 76ers provided one of the most impressive endings to a basketball game you’ll find. It’s a moment that will live in the dreams of New York fans and the nightmares of Philadelphia fans.

The 76ers had a five-point lead over the Knicks with just 27 seconds left in the contest. It looked like Philadelphia was on its way to victory, but then magic happened. A crazy sequence of mistakes by the 76ers and clutch shots by the Knicks finally resulted in a Donte DiVincenzo 3-pointer that sent MSG into euphoria, giving the home team an improbable one-point lead.

THE DOUBLE EXPLOSION ? @Divincenzo @MSGNetworks @KnicksMSGN pic.twitter.com/Js7iOupIXT

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 23, 2024

The Knicks won the game 104-101 and ultimately defeated the 76ers in six games.

“Three or four specific things had to happen and they did,” Breen said of the so-called double “bang” to The New York Post. “So when he made that shot and the crowd went crazy, he just came out. It’s not something he thought about, he just came out for such a spectacular play during this extraordinary sequence in such an important playoff game.”

Jaylen Brown, Celtics vs. Pacers, Game 1 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals

Breen’s most recent double “bang” occurred during the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals between the Celtics and Pacers. Indiana was up three points with eight seconds left in regulation. Boston needed a three-pointer to send the game to overtime.

Jayson Tatum found an open Jaylen Brown in the corner, who faked Pascal Siakim and then rose to score the tying shot. He fell, which tied the game at 117-117, and led to a double “bang” by Breen.

Double explosion! pic.twitter.com/oUx1JVgjfh

—Steph Noh (@StephNoh) May 22, 2024

Boston took the series opener 133-128 in overtime.