Only a select group of NBA teams have managed to claw back from the brink after trailing 3-1 in a playoff series. It’s rare air, where desperation meets resilience and legends are born. Here’s a chronological look at those who pulled off the improbable:
1968 Eastern Division Finals: Boston Celtics over Philadelphia 76ers
The Celtics won two of the final three games on the road, stunned Wilt Chamberlain and the defending champs, then rode the momentum all the way to another NBA title.
1970 Western Division Semifinals: Los Angeles Lakers over Phoenix Suns
L.A. flipped the series behind Jerry West and Wilt. The run ended in the Finals against the Knicks, but the message was clear: never count out the Lakers.
1979 Eastern Conference Finals: Washington Bullets over San Antonio Spurs
The Bullets battled back to win in seven. Their reward? A five-game loss to Seattle in the Finals, as the rally seemed to sap their strength.
1981 Eastern Conference Finals: Boston Celtics over Philadelphia 76ers
A gritty, grind-it-out comeback defined by margins of 2, 2, and 1 point in the final three wins. Larry Bird and company didn’t stop there. Boston went on to win it all.
1995 Western Conference Semifinals: Houston Rockets over Phoenix Suns
Down 3-1, and even 2-0 before that. Didn’t matter. Hakeem Olajuwon and the defending champs surged back, won the series with two road victories, then steamrolled Orlando in the Finals for their second straight title.
1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals: Miami Heat over New York Knicks
A Game 5 melee led to key Knicks suspensions. Miami seized the opening, stormed back, and closed out Game 7 at home. Ugly ending, but a historic one.
2003 Eastern Conference First Round: Detroit Pistons over Orlando Magic
The first-ever best-of-seven first round, and the Pistons made it count. Down 3-1 to Tracy McGrady’s Magic, Detroit tightened the clamps and won three straight.
2006 Western Conference First Round: Phoenix Suns over Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant had the Lakers up 3-1. Steve Nash had other plans. Phoenix became the first team to rally from 3-1 against a franchise (Lakers) that had also done it to them back in 1970.
2015 Western Conference Semifinals: Houston Rockets over Los Angeles Clippers
A fourth-quarter collapse in Game 6 at home haunted L.A. forever. Doc Rivers made history, just not the kind any coach wants. The Rockets stunned the Clippers, winning Games 5 through 7.
2016 Western Conference Finals: Golden State Warriors over Oklahoma City Thunder
The 73-win Warriors were this close to elimination, but rallied past Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook with three straight wins. Leandro Barbosa became the first player to be part of two separate 3-1 comebacks.
2016 NBA Finals: Cleveland Cavaliers over Golden State Warriors
The granddaddy of all comebacks. Down 3-1 to the record-setting Warriors, the Cavs — led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving — won Games 5 and 7 in Oakland, sealing the first title in franchise history and delivering on a promise to Northeast Ohio. The Warriors made history on both ends, as the first to overcome and blow a 3-1 in the same postseason.
2020 Western Conference First Round: Denver Nuggets over Utah Jazz
Inside the bubble, Nikola Jokic hit the decisive bucket in Game 7, and Mike Conley‘s three at the buzzer rimmed out. That was just the beginning.
2020 Western Conference Semifinals: Denver Nuggets over Los Angeles Clippers
Denver made it back-to-back 3-1 comebacks — something no NBA team had ever done. Another ignominious moment for the Clippers, and another 3-1 collapse on Doc Rivers‘ coaching record.
In all, just a dozen instances in league history. A feat so rare, so daunting, and so unforgettable that when it happens, everyone remembers where they were. Because 3-1 comebacks don’t just flip a series. They alter legacies.
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