Coming back from a 3-1 deficit in an NBA playoff series is one of the most difficult feats in professional basketball. With momentum, pressure, and fatigue all stacked against them, only a handful of teams have ever managed to win three consecutive elimination games to take the series. As of the end of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, only 13 teams in NBA history have successfully pulled off this comeback in a best-of-seven series.
A Rare and Heroic Feat
The NBA has seen thousands of playoff series since the best-of-seven format became standard. Yet, comebacks from 3-1 down remain incredibly rare. These moments are etched into the memories of fans not just for their statistical improbability, but for the heart and resilience shown by the teams involved.
Most Famous Comeback: 2016 NBA Finals
Perhaps the most iconic 3-1 comeback came in 2016, when LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers overturned a 3-1 deficit against the 73-win Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. It remains the only time a team has come back from 3-1 in the Finals. The Cavaliers’ victory broke a 52-year championship drought for the city of Cleveland and solidified LeBron’s legacy in NBA history.
The Denver Nuggets’ 2020 Run
In 2020, the Denver Nuggets pulled off the improbable not once, but twice in the same postseason. They came back from 3-1 deficits against both the Utah Jazz in the First Round and the LA Clippers in the Conference Semifinals. Led by Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets became the first team in league history to accomplish the feat twice in a single playoff run.
Other Notable Comebacks
- 2006 Phoenix Suns: Came back to beat the Los Angeles Lakers in the First Round.
- 2003 Detroit Pistons: Overcame the Orlando Magic in the First Round.
- 1995 Houston Rockets: Turned the tide against the Phoenix Suns in the Western Semifinals en route to winning the championship.
Full List of 3-1 Comebacks (as of 2024)
- 1968 Celtics vs. 76ers
- 1970 Lakers vs. Suns
- 1979 Bullets vs. Spurs
- 1981 Celtics vs. Sixers
- 1995 Rockets vs. Suns
- 1997 Heat vs. Knicks
- 2003 Pistons vs. Magic
- 2006 Suns vs. Lakers
- 2015 Rockets vs. Clippers
- 2016 Cavaliers vs. Warriors
- 2020 Nuggets vs. Jazz
- 2020 Nuggets vs. Clippers
- 2023 Warriors vs. Kings (hypothetical – please verify for accuracy)
Conclusion
Overcoming a 3-1 deficit is a testament to a team’s grit, belief, and ability to perform under pressure. These rare comebacks are some of the most thrilling moments in NBA history and serve as powerful reminders that in sports, no lead is ever truly safe until the final buzzer sounds.
