Few things are more disappointing in professional sports than jumping out to a huge series lead before blowing it in a determinative Game 7.Â
In professional basketball, only 15 teams have defied the NBA odds and mounted a comeback to win the series after falling behind 3-1.Â
The most famous team to pull off the miracle is, of course, the 2016 Cavaliers. Led by LeBron James and aided by an untimely Draymond Green suspension, Cleveland won the NBA Finals against Golden State after trailing 3-1 going into Game 5. It’s the only time a team has blown a 3-1 lead in the Finals.
Two different teams have blown 3-1 leads in the 2026 playoffs. Previously, the most recent team to erase a 3-1 deficit was the Denver Nuggets during the 2020 bubble playoffs.
NBA Teams to Come Back From a 3-1 Playoff Series Deficit
| Team | Year | Opponent | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pistons | 2026 | Magic | First Round |
| 76ers | 2026 | Celtics | First Round |
| Nuggets | 2020 | Clippers | Conf. Semifinals |
| Nuggets | 2020 | Jazz | First Round |
| Cavaliers | 2016 | Warriors | NBA Finals |
| Warriors | 2016 | Thunder | Conf. Finals |
| Rockets | 2015 | Clippers | Conf. Semifinals |
| Suns | 2006 | Lakers | First Round |
| Pistons | 2003 | Magic | First Round |
| Heat | 1997 | Knicks | Conf. Semifinals |
| Rockets | 1995 | Suns | Conf. Semifinals |
| Celtics | 1981 | 76ers | Conf. Finals |
| Bullets | 1979 | Spurs | Conf. Finals |
| Lakers | 1970 | Suns | Conf. Semifinals |
| Celtics | 1968 | 76ers | Conf. Finals |
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