NBA History: Only 13 teams have recovered from 3-1 deficit

The NBA playoffs have seen some incredible comebacks throughout its history. Who can forget LeBron James‘ Cleveland Cavaliers coming back from a 3-1 deficit to upset the 73-win Golden State Warriors in the 2016 NBA Finals?

Related: Edwards, T-Wolves Take 3-1 Lead With Game 4 Victory Over Lakers

In the history of the NBA, only 13 teams have ever recovered from a 3-1 deficit to win a series. LeBron’s 2016 Cavs were the only ones to achieve such a feat in the NBA Finals.

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The overall record for teams down 3-1 in a series is 13-277.

Here’s the full list of teams that successfully came back from down 3-1.

1968 Boston Celtics over the Philadelphia 76ers

1970 Los Angeles Lakers over the Phoenix Suns

1979 Washington Bullets over the San Antonio Spurs

1981 Boston Celtics over the Philadelphia 76ers

1995 Houston Rockets over the Phoenix Suns

1997 Miami Heat over the New York Knicks

2003 Detroit Pistons over the Orlando Magic

2006 Phoenix Suns over the Los Angeles Lakers

2015 Houston Rockets over the Los Angeles Clippers

2016 Golden State Warriors over the Oklahoma City Thunder

2016 Cleveland Cavaliers over the Golden State Warriors

2020 Denver Nuggets over the Utah Jazz

2020 Denver Nuggets over the Los Angeles Clippers

This year’s Lakers and Rockets will now try to add their names to this list as they have both fallen into the 3-1 hole. Will these teams etch their names into history?

Or be sent home early, ending their hopes at an NBA title.

About the Author Published Apr 30, 2025

TITAN FREY

Titan Frey is a dedicated father to three wonderful children, whom he takes immense pride in. His passions include reading, writing, basketball, both playing and watching, and playing chess. Titan spent five years working as a journalist for the basketball website fadeawayworld.net, where he served as editor-in-chief for four and a half years. One of his most notable achievements was interviewing Chuck Cooper III, the son of Chuck Cooper, the first African American ever drafted by an NBA team, and writing a biography that has been praised as the most definitive article about Cooper’s legacy. Titan is the author of more than ten novels and the screenwriter of three produced short films. His newest young adult novel, Echoes of the Hardwood: Braxton Foxworthy’s Time‑Travelling Book Report, blends basketball history with heartfelt storytelling and is now available. Order here: https://a.co/d/bo7BYz1