No. 1 seeds are typically favorites in the NBA championship odds market, so it’s rare to see them struggle in the first round of the playoffs.
Nevertheless, there are occasionally No. 1 seeds that fall behind and even lose to their first-round opponents.
A No. 1 seed has lost a series to a No. 8 seed six times in NBA history.
Last Time a No. 1 Seed Lost to a No. 8 Seed In the First Round of the NBA Playoffs
The last No. 1 seed to lose in the first round was the 2023 Milwaukee Bucks. Giannis Antetokounmpo got hurt, and Jimmy Butler willed the No. 8 Miami Heat past the Bucks and all the way to the NBA Finals.
Every No. 1 Seed That Lost to a No. 8 Seed in the First Round of the NBA Playoffs
| Year | Losing No. 1 Seed | Winning No. 8 Seed | Series Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Bucks (58-24) | Heat (44-38) | 4-1 |
| 2012 | Bulls (50-16) | 76ers (35-31) | 4-2 |
| 2011 | Spurs (61-21) | Grizzlies (46-36) | 4-2 |
| 2007 | Mavericks (67-15) | Warriors (42-40) | 4-2 |
| 1999 | Heat (33-17) | Knicks (27-23) | 3-2 |
| 1994 | Sonics (63-19) | Nuggets (42-40) | 3-2 |
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