The NBA playoffs having seen some incredible comebacks, including, most recently, an improbable victory by the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden, which included a miraculous shot at the buzzer by Tyrese Haliburton. Earlier this month, the Oklahoma City also prevailed in improbable fashion after trailing the Memphis Grizzlies by a whopping 29 points.
The Pacers and Knicks meet again tonight, in what is can’t-miss television for sports fans. While we wait for Game 2 to tip off (8 pm ET on TNT), let’s take a look back at the 10 biggest comebacks NBA playoff history — the perfect appetizer for a big weekend of hoops.
10. Boston Celtics vs. New Jersey Nets
- Date: May 25, 2002
Deficit Overcome: 26 points - Final Score: Celtics 94, Nets 90
- In Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics trailed by 21 points in the fourth quarter but outscored the Nets 41–16 in the final period, led by Paul Pierce’s 19 points in the quarter.
9. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers
- Date: April 20, 2017
- Deficit Overcome: 26 points
- Final Score: Cavaliers 119, Pacers 114
- In Game 3 of the first round, the Cavaliers erased a 25-point halftime deficit, with LeBron James recording a triple-double to lead the comeback.
8. Atlanta Hawks vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- Date: June 16, 2021
- Deficit Overcome: 26 points
- Final Score: Hawks 109, 76ers 106
- In Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Hawks overcame a 26-point deficit, with Trae Young scoring 39 points to lead the rally.
7. Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
- Date: April 21, 2022
- Deficit Overcome: 26 points
- Final Score: Grizzlies 104, Timberwolves 95
- In Game 3 of the first round, the Grizzlies trailed by 26 points but outscored the Timberwolves 37–12 in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
6. Golden State Warriors vs. San Antonio Spurs
- Date: May 14, 2017
- Deficit Overcome: 25 points
- Final Score: Warriors 113, Spurs 111
- In Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors overcame a 25-point deficit, with Stephen Curry scoring 40 points to lead the comeback
5. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz
- Date: April 25, 2018
- Deficit Overcome: 25 points
- Final Score: Thunder 107, Jazz 99
- In Game 5 of the first round, the Thunder erased a 25-point deficit, with Russell Westbrook scoring 45 points to force a Game 6.
4. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz
- Date: June 18, 2021
- Deficit Overcome: 25 points
Final Score: Clippers 131, Jazz 119 - In Game 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals, the Clippers overcame a 25-point deficit, with Terance Mann scoring 39 points to advance to their first Western Conference Finals.
3. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
- Date: April 29, 2012
- Deficit Overcome: 27 points
- Final Score: Clippers 99, Grizzlies 98
- In Game 1 of the first round, the Clippers trailed by 27 points but mounted a furious comeback, outscoring the Grizzlies 28–3 in the final 9 minutes.
2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies
- Date: April 24, 2025
- Deficit Overcome: 29 points
- Final Score: Thunder 114, Grizzlies 108
- In Game 3 of the first round, the Thunder trailed by 29 points but rallied to complete the second-largest comeback in NBA playoff history.
1. Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors
- Date: April 15, 2019
- Deficit Overcome: 31 points
- Final Score: Clippers 135, Warriors 131
- In Game 2 of the first round, the Clippers overcame a 31-point deficit, the largest in NBA playoff history, to stun the Warriors.
