Down but Not Out: NBA Teams That Have Come Back From a 3–1 Series Deficit

• Thirteen teams have managed to come back from a 3-1 series deficit in the NBA Playoffs
• The Cavs are the only team to come back from 3-1 down in the NBA Finals
• Doc Rivers blew a 3-1 lead three times in his coaching career

The Memphis Grizzlies stayed alive in their best-of-seven series against the Los Angeles Lakers, pulling off a 116-99 victory in Game 5 on Wednesday night.

The battle is far from over, with the Grizzlies needing to win the next two games to record one of the greatest comebacks in NBA playoff history.

Only 13 teams have come back from a 3-1 deficit in a playoff series before.

Sports Brief examines these history-making teams as the Grizzlies try to accomplish that rare feat.

From Jordan to Magic Johnson: Greatest performances in NBA playoff history

NBA

Celtics beat Sixers (1968) 

The Philadelphia 76ers looked like they were on their way to the championship round after building a commanding 3-1 lead in the 1968 Eastern Division Finals.

The Boston Celtics showed their playoff experience, winning the next three games to become the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit.

Two of those wins came on the road, which made Boston’s comeback even more stunning. The Celtics later won the 1968 NBA Finals.

Lakers defeat Suns (1970) 

The Los Angeles Lakers stunned the Phoenix Suns in the 1970 Western Division Semifinals, winning the last three games to take the series 4-3.

The Lakers started their comeback with a 138-121 win over the Suns in Game 5. They evened the series at three games apiece with a 104-93 victory on the road in Game 6.

The Lakers completed the comeback with a 129-94 win in Game 7. Wilt Chamberlain starred in the series clincher, scoring 30 points and grabbing 27 boards.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Memphis Grizzlies series preview: Previous meetings, key players, and schedule

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Bullets beat Spurs (1979)

The San Antonio Spurs were one win away from booking a spot in the 1979 NBA Finals. That victory never came as the Washington Bullets recorded a stunning comeback from 3-1 down in the 1979 Eastern Conference Finals.

The Bullets spoiled San Antonio’s party in Game 5, beating the Spurs 107-103. Washington tied the series at 3-3 with a 108-100 win in Game 6.

The Bullets completed the comeback with a thrilling 107-105 victory in Game 7. Bob Dandridge was the hero in that contest, scoring 37 points in the series clincher.

Celtics beat Sixers (1981)

The Celtics staged another comeback from 3-1 down against the Sixers, this time in the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals.

Philadelphia’s collapse was painful, to say the least, with the Celtics winning the last three games by a combined five points.

Game 7 was an epic contest, with Boston pulling off a 91-90 win at the Garden.

Phoenix Suns vs LA Clippers series preview: Previous meetings, key players, and schedule

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Rockets beat Suns (1995)

Houston’s title defense looked in serious trouble in the 1995 Western Conference Semifinals, with the Rockets trailing the Suns 3-1 in their playoff series.

The Rockets showed their championship experience, nabbing three straight victories to win the series 4-3.

Mario Elie completed Houston’s comeback with his “Kiss of Death” 3-pointer with 7.1 seconds remaining in Game 7.

Heat defeat Knicks (1997)

The Knicks built a 3-1 lead in the 1997 Eastern Conference Semifinals, but a brawl in Game 5 prevented them from winning the series.

Miami took full advantage of Patrick Ewing, Allan Houston, and Charlie Ward being suspended for Game 6, grabbing a 95-90 win at Madison Square Garden.

Alonzo Mourning scored 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help the Heat force a Game 7.

John Starks and Larry Johnson were both suspended for Game 7. They were sorely missed by the Knicks, who suffered a 101-90 loss in the series finale.

Rudy Gobert redeems himself in Wolves’ win over Thunder

NBA

Pistons beat Magic (2003) 

The NBA made the first round of the playoffs a best-of-seven series in 2003. The Pistons were fortunate that change was implemented that year as they came back from 3-1 down to beat the Orlando Magic in the first round of the 2003 NBA Playoffs.

Suns defeat Lakers (2006)

The Phoenix Suns became the second team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 series deficit in the first round of the playoffs, beating the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games in their series in 2006.

The Lakers wasted a golden opportunity to eliminate the Suns in Game 6. They lost 126-118 in overtime at home despite Kobe Bryant scoring 50 points.

Rockets beat Clippers (2015)

Doc Rivers made history in this series, becoming the first head coach to blow multiple 3-1 leads in the playoffs. He coached the Magic team that collapsed against the Detroit Pistons in 2003.

Jalen Brunson helps New York Knicks hold off Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1

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The Clippers looked to be on their way to the Western Conference Finals after building a 19-point lead in the second half of Game 6.

The Clippers choked, with the Rockets outscoring them 40-15 in the fourth quarter to grab an unlikely 119-107 win.

Houston completed the comeback with a 113-100 victory over the LA Clippers in Game 7.

Warriors beat Thunder (2016) 

The Oklahoma City Thunder were one win away from reaching the 2016 NBA Finals. That victory never came as the Golden State Warriors pulled off a stunning comeback from 3-1 down in the 2016 Western Conference Finals.

The Warriors took Game 5, beating the Thunder 120-111.

Golden State tied the series at 3-3 with a 108-101 win in Game 6. Klay Thompson starred in that come-from-behind victory, scoring 41 points.

The Warriors finished the comeback with a 96-88 victory over the Thunder in Game 7.

Devin Booker ignites Game 2 rally as Suns level series with Clippers

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That painful loss was Kevin Durant’s final game with OKC as he decided to move to Golden State the following offseason.

Cavs beat Warriors (2016)

The Warriors got a dose of their own medicine in the 2016 NBA Finals, with Golden State squandering a 3-1 lead in that playoff series.

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers staged a comeback of epic proportions, becoming the first team to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals.

Nuggets beat Jazz (2020)

Jamal Murray helped the Nuggets overcome a 3-1 deficit in their first-round matchup against the Jazz, averaging 31.6 points during that seven-game series.

He shot 55% from the field and 53.3% from the 3-point area in that 2020 series against the Jazz.

Nuggets defeat Clippers (2020)

The Nuggets became the comeback kings in the Orlando bubble after Denver overcame another 3-1 series deficit in the 2020 Western Conference Semifinals.

Golden State Warriors join list of defending champions who started 0-2 in the NBA Playoffs

NBA

The Clippers were their victims this time around. This was the third time in Doc Rivers’ coaching career that he blew a 3-1 series lead in the playoffs.

Bane makes a bold declaration 

Sports Brief recently reported on the Grizzlies’ win over the Lakers in Game 5.

Desmond Bane guaranteed the series will return to Memphis for a Game 7.

He scored 33 points in Memphis’ 116-99 win on Wednesday night.