The NBA playoffs are an excellent example of high-level sports drama. The competition becomes more intense than during the regular season, so each possession is worth more. The most memorable moments in playoff history happen when teams overcome seemingly impossible obstacles and win in situations where defeat appeared inevitable.
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Pacers Stun Knicks (1995)
Basketball fans frequently recall Reggie Miller’s incredible feat of scoring eight points in 8.9 seconds, which stunned the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals. The Pacers trailed by six points with less than 20 seconds left when Miller started his historic scoring run.
Miller converted a three-point attempt, intercepted the next inbound pass for another three-point shot, and sealed the victory with precise free-throw shooting. Madison Square Garden went from celebratory anticipation to stunned silence in a matter of moments. This sequence is one of the fastest comebacks in sports history and demonstrates how individual brilliance can have a significant impact on playoff outcomes in incredibly short periods. The Pacers eventually won the series and advanced to the conference finals, thanks in large part to the momentum generated by this remarkable, unprecedented comeback.
Lakers Shock the Kings (2002)
The 2002 Western Conference Finals between the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers produced another unforgettable reversal of fortune. During Game 4, the Kings established a substantial 24-point advantage and appeared positioned to secure a commanding 3-1 series lead.
The Lakers came back strong. Shaquille O’Neal dominated the interior, while Kobe Bryant executed from the perimeter. With the score tied and little time left, Robert Horry collected a deflected ball beyond the three-point line and converted as time expired. This remarkable Lakers comeback fundamentally altered the series’ momentum. It allowed them to advance to the Finals after a seven-game contest that many basketball historians regard as one of the most competitive playoff series ever contested.
Trail Blazers Force Game 7 (2003)
The 2003 first-round series between the Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers showcased a different type of comeback. After losing the first three games, Portland won three straight in elimination scenarios, forcing a Game 7. This was only the third such reversal in NBA playoff history.
Although Dallas won the final game, Portland demonstrated exceptional psychological resilience by securing three consecutive must-win games. Each victory shifted perceptions of possible outcomes and added uncertainty among Mavericks players and fans. The series demonstrated how extended comebacks over multiple games can result in extraordinary psychological dynamics in a playoff series.
Cavaliers Defy History Against the Warriors (2016)
The 2016 NBA Finals remain one of the most celebrated comebacks in basketball history. The Cleveland Cavaliers were down 3-1 against the Golden State Warriors, who had set a new regular-season record with 73 wins. Most analysts considered the series to be over at that point.
What happened afterwards became basketball folklore. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving dominated Game 5, with each scoring 41 points. The Cavaliers then defeated a once-invincible opponent in three consecutive games. In the seventh game, James made an incredible chase-down block, and Irving hit a clutch three-point shot. Cleveland won its first major sports championship in 52 years, marking a significant milestone in professional sports history.
Hawks Stun Philadelphia (2021)
In the 2021 playoffs, the Atlanta Hawks put on an incredible performance against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5. Atlanta faced a 26-point deficit in Philadelphia, but remained composed throughout.
Trae Young methodically controlled the game tempo as the clock ticked away, while the 76ers’ performance deteriorated under increasing pressure. Atlanta achieved an unlikely victory that demonstrated how quickly momentum can shift in playoff basketball. The Hawks then used this momentum to win the series in seven games, going further than professional analysts had predicted and demonstrating the unpredictable nature of postseason competition.
Knicks’ Double Comeback Against Celtics (2025)
The New York Knicks wrote the most recent chapter in playoff comeback stories in the 2025 Eastern Conference Semifinals against Boston. The Knicks overcame 20-point deficits in Games 1 and 2 at Boston’s arena.
These consecutive comebacks received a lot of praise for their significant psychological impact and statistical impossibility. The Knicks used their reserve players strategically and applied consistent defensive pressure. While the Celtics showed signs of hesitation at critical moments, New York’s top players performed exceptionally when the situation demanded it and fundamentally changed the competitive dynamics of the entire series.
