No 60-Win Team Had Ever Trailed Second-Round Series, 2-0; Now There Are Two

The defending champion Boston Celtics finished 61-21 and had almost as easy of time with the Orlando Magic.

But after Cleveland’s 120-119 loss to the visiting Indiana Pacers on Monday … and Boston’s 91-90 loss to the visiting New York Knicks on Tuesday … well, they’re both in a 2-0 series hole heading into their second-round matchups.

Until this season, no team with at least 60 wins had ever trailed a second-round series 2-0 since the league went to a 16-team playoff format in 1983-84, as relayed by NBA reporter Keerthika Uthayakumar.

The Cavs became the first on Monday. The Celtics repeated the not-so-desired feat a night later.

Now, both Eastern Conference favorites get to go on the road for two games to try to salvage their seasons. Yeah. Not exactly how it was supposed to go.

The Cavs, of course, have had some major injury issues for the first time all season — as Darius Garland (toe) has missed four straight games, while Evan Mobley (ankle) and De’Andre Hunter (thumb) missed Game 2. Their statuses remain up in the air for Friday’s Game 3.

But on the bright side for the Cavs and Celtics, the second round has had a road-heavy feel. Before the Oklahoma City Thunder-Denver Nuggets Game 2 on Tuesday, road teams were perfect (6-0) in the second round.

That, too, is an NBA first.

No matter, a series isn’t over until one team wins four games. And overcoming a 2-0 deficit has been done. We have the full list here.

That said, before you get too excited, know this: In 459 tries, only 34 teams facing a 2-0 deficit have come back to win the series. That’s less than 8 percent.

Also, only five teams have overcome such a deficit when losing the first two games at home. Yikes.

So, yes, this has been a first when it comes to the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Now, the Cavs and Celtics are just hoping to make a little more history of their own.