In the history of the NBA, no team has ever come back from a 0-3 deficit in the NBA Finals so the odds are not looking good for the Dallas Mavericks. Expanding out, no team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a NBA Playoff series in any round.
The all-time record when a team goes up 3-0 in a series? 156-0.
The Dallas Mavs are looking not to add to the nine series that ended in a 4-0 sweep in the NBA Finals. The last two times where NBA Finals ended in a sweep happened were against the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers 11 seasons apart by the San Antonio Spurs in 2007 and then by the Golden State Warriors in 2018.
This historically insurmountable challenge has left many teams that find themselves in this predicament and a dejected fanbase wondering if their franchise can be the first to pull it off.
The Closest Attempts To Coming Back From 0-3
Despite a couple teams coming close to turning the tide, the 0-3 comeback remains one of the last great frontiers in professional basketball. In fact, only one NBA Finals team ever forced a Game Seven while there have only been a handful of teams that have come back from a 3-1 deficit.
While it’s rare for a team to come back from a 3-0 deficit in the NBA Finals, the excitement of such a potential comeback keeps fans on the edge of their seats. Just like the thrill of watching a high-stakes game, the adrenaline rush can also be experienced when you deposit funds in online casinos, where the possibility of a big win keeps players engaged.
Let’s take a look at some of the closest instances and the key players involved in those valiant (but losing) efforts.
1. 1951 NBA Finals: New York Knicks vs. Rochester Royals
The 1951 NBA Finals is one of the earliest and closest attempts to overcome a 0-3 deficit in the NBA championship series. The New York Knicks faced the Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings) and fell behind 0-3. The Knicks, led by superstars Max Zaslofsky and Dick McGuire, fought back valiantly, winning the next three games 4, 5, and 6. Despite their spirited comeback, they ultimately fell short in Game 7, losing 75-79. This series remains the only instance in NBA Finals history where a team forced a Game 7 after being down 0-3.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors (2016 NBA Finals)
The 2016 NBA Finals saw one of the most memorable comebacks in NBA history. The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, faced the seemingly-unstoppable Golden State Warriors, who had set a regular-season record with 73 wins. While the Cavs didn’t lose the first three games, they did end up falling behind 3-1. However, they mounted an extraordinary comeback, winning three consecutive games to clinch the series 4-3.
Key moments included LeBron’s iconic block on Andre Iguodala in Game 7 and Kyrie Irving’s game-winning three-pointer. LeBron James’ performances, including back-to-back 41-point games in Games 5 and 6, and a triple-double in Game 7, earned him the Finals MVP award and secured Cleveland’s first-ever NBA championship.
3. 1994 Western Conference Semifinals: Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz
Although not an NBA Finals series, the 1994 Western Conference Semifinals saw the Denver Nuggets nearly pull off a miraculous comeback after going down 0-3 to the Utah Jazz. The Nuggets, featuring Dikembe Mutombo and Reggie Williams, won Games 4, 5, and 6 to force a Game 7. However, their efforts fell short as they lost the deciding game. This series is often referenced as an example of the difficulty of overcoming a 0-3 deficit.
4. Denver Nuggets (2020 NBA Playoffs)
The 2020 NBA Playoffs, held in the Orlando bubble due to the COVID-19 pandemic, featured two incredible comebacks by the Denver Nuggets, making them the only team in NBA history to overcome 3-1 deficits twice in the same postseason. in the Western Conference First Round vs. the Utah Jazz, the Nuggets fell behind 3-1 in the series. Led by the versatile and future MVP Nikola Jokic and the exceptional play of Jamal Murray, who had multiple 50-point games dueling with Donovan Mitchell, the Nuggets won the next three games to take the series 4-3.
In the Western Conference Semifinals, the Denver Nuggets overcame the Los Angeles Clippers after finding themselves in another 3-1 hole, this time against the heavily favored Los Angeles Clippers. Once again, Murray and Jokic led the charge, with Jokic recording a triple-double in Game 7 to help the Nuggets complete their second comeback. This would be one of the three times that a Doc Rivers-led team lost a 3-1 series lead.
Why It’s So Difficult To Come Back Down 0-3
Coming back from a 0-3 deficit in the NBA Finals is incredibly challenging due to several factors. First and foremost, it’s very, very difficult to defeat a team four times in a row, especially one of the best teams in the league.
Not only that, the psychological pressure of needing to win four consecutive games against a high-caliber opponent is immense. Additionally, the physical toll of extended playoff series often impacts player performance and team dynamics. Historically, teams that dominate the first three games have typically shown superior depth, strategy, and execution, making it exceedingly difficult for the trailing team to reverse the momentum.
While no team has successfully overcome a 0-3 deficit in the NBA Finals, the few near-comebacks highlight the resilience and determination of those who tried. The 1951 New York Knicks and the 1994 Denver Nuggets exemplify the fighting spirit that makes such attempts memorable. As the league evolves and the level of competition continues to rise, fans remain hopeful that one day a team will achieve the impossible and rewrite NBA history. The Boston Celtics organization and their fans hope it’s not this year.
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