In today’s offense-forward NBA, no lead is sacred, no deficit insurmountable. In fact, “20 is the new 12” has been quoted quite a bit in reference to how scoring has taken over the game.

When a lead hits 27 points, the likelihood that the team facing the deficit is going to come out with the win is near zero, meaning if you’re at an online casino, you should bet on the team with that 27 points lead to win.  There’s stats to back that up too. For example, before the Lakers came back from 27 points down vs. the Dallas Mavericks, NBA teams were a combined 0-137 when trailing by at least 27 points during the 2023-24 season.

The Largest Comebacks in NBA History

Then there are times when the game’s energy completely shifts; when a safe cushion in the second, third, and even fourth quarter isn’t safe. Teams that found themselves deep in the hole suddenly find life; often find themselves in the throes of dramatic turnarounds, rewriting the narrative of a game in the blink of an eye. THere are the NBA’s biggest comebacks of all-time.

The biggest NBA comeback of all-time was when the Utah Jazz came back from being down 36 points at halftime against the Denver Nuggets in November 1996. The Jazz, led by the dynamic duo of Karl Malone and Jeff Hornacek, staged a remarkable resurgence, outscoring their opponents by a margin in the second half to eke out a 107-103 victory.

Tied for second biggest comeback was when the Sacramento Kings orchestrated a stunning rally in December 2009, overcoming a daunting 35-point deficit to stun the Chicago Bulls. Then a decade plus later, the Los Angeles Clippers came back from a 35-point hole against the Washington Wizards in 2022. The Clippers needed a four point play from Luke Kennard to take the lead with 1.9 seconds remaining on the clock.

Another recent unforgettable moment unfolded when the Atlanta Hawks made franchise history with an amazing 30 point comeback against the league’s best team Boston Celtics. The Hawks orchestrated a crazy rally, clawing their way back to snatch a 120-118 victory. 

While such comebacks speaks to how dynamic and unpredictable a game can be, it also underscores the essence of resilience and determination inherent with NBA players’ competitiveness. In a sport characterized by high-octane offense and intense play, these moments of sheer audacity remind us that no lead is insurmountable, no challenge too daunting especially with the three point shot being such a weapon.

As the NBA continues to evolve, these monumental comebacks serve as timeless reminders of the enduring magic of basketball, where the unthinkable can become reality with a single flick of the wrist and a surge of collective will. In the grand tapestry of the NBA’s storied history, these moments shine as beacons of inspiration. These games etch themselves into the memory of the franchise’s most diehard fans.