List of teams that have come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a playoff series in NBA history

Throughout the 70-year history of the NBA, there have been just 11 instances when a team has made a comeback from a 3-1 deficit in a playoff series. These teams have shown insane tenacity and held their nerve to emerge victorious three must-win games.

Let us take a look at the legendary teams that came back from a 3-1 series deficit to win.

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#1 Denver Nuggets - 2020 Western Conference First Round

Utah Jazz v Denver Nuggets - Game Two

The Denver Nuggets beat the Utah Jazz in a nerve warcking Game 7 of the first round of the 2020 Western Conference, after coming back from a 3-1 deficit. Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic led the way for the Denver Nuggets who were suffering injuries to several key starters.

This series also featured one of the greatest individual battles in a playoff series as Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell took each other on, putting up monstrous numbers. In the end, this series came down to the last seconds of Game 7 where Mike Conley Jr. was unable to make a three-pointer for the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets prevailed to complete a sweet comebacl

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#2 Cleveland Cavaliers - 2016 NBA Finals

2016 NBA Finals - Game Seven

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers scripted the most astonishing comeback in NBA history when they overcame a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals to bring a championship to Cleveland for the first time in the history of the franchise.

LeBron James' block on Andre Iguodala in the dying minutes of the game followed by Kyrie Irving's clutch three-pointer will go down as one of the greatest plays in the history of the NBA.

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#3 Golden State Warriors - 2016 Western Conference Finals

Oklahoma City Thunder v Golden State Warriors - Game Seven

The Golden State Warriors came back from a 3-1 series deficit in the Western Conference against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Splash Brothers Steph Curry and Klay Thompson put up monstrous numbers in Games 5, 6, and 7 to lead the Warriors to the NBA Finals once again.

Both Splash Bros. break the previous record for 3s in a series. ☔️☔️☔️ pic.twitter.com/jyaE38XZjz

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 31, 2016

This series marked the end of Kevin Durant's tenure with the Thunder as he joined the Warriors the next season. The Warriors went on to lose the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers that year.

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#4 Houston Rockets - 2015 Western Conference Semifinals

Los Angeles Clippers v Houston Rockets - Game Seven

In a nail-biting series, the Houston Rockets overcame a 3-1 deficit to beat the LA Clippers in the 2015 Western Conference Semifinals. James Harden and Dwight Howard put on a show with Trevor Ariza playing a crucial role in the last three games of this series.

This series was the beginning of the downfall of the Lob City LA Clippers team while the James Harden's Houston Rockets emerged as serious title contenders. The Rockets eventually fell to the Warriors, who ended up winning the NBA title in 2015.

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#5 Phoenix Suns - 2006 Western Conference First Round

Los Angeles Lakers v Phoenix Suns, Game 6

In 2006, the Phoenix Suns were a title contending team with the second seed in the Western Conference. They went up against the LA Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. NBA superstar Kobe Bryant helped the Lakers secure a 3-1 lead in the series.

Steve Nash, Shawn Marion and Boris Diaw had other ideas as they went on to blow out the Lakers in the next 3 games to take the series 4-3. The Suns eventually fell to the LA Clippers in the second round that year.

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#6 Detroit Pistons - 2003 Eastern Conference First Round

Clifford Robinson of the 2003 Pistons

The 2003 Detroit Pistons were a dominant force in the NBA - they had the top seed and were expected to make it to the Finals. Tracy McGrady and the Orlando Magic did all they could to stop them. With a 3-1 lead, the Pistons had their backs against the wall.

Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace stepped up in the remaining three games and stole the series from the Magic. The Pistons eventually fell to the Nets in the Eastern Conference Finals.

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#7 Miami Heat - 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals

Miami Heat vs New York Knicks 1997 [Credits: NBA]

In 1997, the New York Knicks were set to take on their rivals the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals. They were up 3-1 in the Semifinals against the Miami Heat, but a fight in Game 5 saw Patrick Ewing and Allan Houston get involved in a fight with the Heat's players.

They were suspended for a game, and several other bench players also received suspensions. The Miami Heat capitalized on this and eventually took the series in 7 games. However, they went on to lose to the Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference Finals.

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#8 Houston Rockets - 1995 Western Conference Semifinals

Mario Elie's Kiss of Death [Credits: Houston Chronicle]

The 1995 Houston Rockets were a force to reckon with, led by Hakeem Olajuwan and Clyde Drexler. They faced the Phoenix Suns who were led by Charles Barkley in the Western Conference Semifinals. After blowing a 3-1 lead, the Suns looked to close out the series at home in Game 7.

This game went down to final seconds despite the magnificent efforts of Olajuwan and Barkley. Mario Elie's game winning three-pointer, now dubbed the 'Kiss of Death', led the Rockets past the Suns. The Rockets ended up winning the 1995 NBA Championship, successfully defending their title.

#9 Boston Celtics - 1981 Eastern Conference Finals

Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers 1981 [Credits: Sports Illustrated]

In what is considered to be one of the greatest playoff series in the history of the NBA, the Boston Celtics overcame a 3-1 deficit against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals.

🗣️"Larry Bird pulls up... and the Celtics lead!"It's Championship Week on @NBCSBoston and the #MyTeams app. Tune in tonight at 8PM to catch Celtics vs 76ers in the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals! #ClassicCeltics📝https://t.co/U1atV3hcGu pic.twitter.com/ccHUrcSu3x

— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 18, 2020

Larry Bird and Nate Archibald brought the Celtics back into the series with successive wins. Game 7 was an electric contest that saw Larry Bird take on the great Julius Irving. The Celtics took the game 91-90 and later went on to win the 1981 NBA title.

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#10 Washington Bullets - 1979 Eastern Conference Finals

Bob Dandridge of the 1979 Washington Bullet [Credits: The Score]

In the 1979 Eastern Conference Finals, the Washington Bullers staged an upset by coming back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the San Antonio Spurs.

George Gervin's 42-point effort in Game 7 went in vain as the Bullets led by Elvin Hayes and Bob Dandridge won the game 107-105. The Bullets eventually lost in the NBA Finals to the Seattle Supersonics.

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#11 LA Lakers - 1970 Western Division Semifinals

Jerry West of the 1970 LA Lakers [Credits: NBA]

The 1970 LA Lakers were led by two of greatest players in the history of the NBA, Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain. Despite this, they were down 3-1 in the Western Division Semifinals against the Phoenix Suns.

West and Chamberlain took over in Games 5, 6 and 7 and proceeded to rout the Suns and take the series 4-3. The LA Lakers eventually ended up losing the NBA Finals to Willis Reed's New York Knicks.

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#12 Boston Celtics - 1968 Eastern Division Finals

Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers 1968 [Credits: Terra Sports]

In one of the greatest playoff series in NBA history, Bill Russell led the Boston Celtics to an emphatic win over Wilt Chamberlain's Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics were out of sorts in the first few games of the series in the aftermath of the death of Dr. King. They came back in Games 5 and 6 to draw the series level at 3-3

Game 7 saw John Havlicek take over while Russell struggled and the Celtics won the game with a final score of 100-96. The Celtics became the first team in NBA history to recover from a 3-1 deficit, and they went on to beat the LA Lakers and win the NBA title.

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