The Greatest Comebacks in NBA Finals History

Alta Sports3 days ago · 231 views

The Greatest Comebacks in NBA Finals History image

Photo: NBA

By Rafael Bandayrel

The NBA Finals have produced some of basketball's most unforgettable moments, but few are more memorable than watching a team stare down a seemingly impossible deficit and somehow find a way to win.

Here are four of the greatest comebacks ever seen on the NBA's biggest stage.

1. Knicks Rally From 29 Down vs. Spurs (2026 NBA Finals, Game 4)

The comeback that now sits atop the record books belongs to the New York Knicks.

Facing a 27-point halftime deficit and trailing by as many as 29 points, New York appeared headed for a series-tying loss against the San Antonio Spurs. Instead, the Knicks authored the largest comeback in NBA Finals history.

Led by Jalen Brunson's 36 points and OG Anunoby's 33, New York slowly chipped away before Anunoby tipped in Brunson's missed three-pointer with 1.2 seconds left to complete a stunning 107-106 victory.

The win gave the Knicks a commanding 3-1 series lead and put them within one victory of their first NBA championship since 1973.

No team had ever overcome a larger deficit in an NBA Finals game.

2. Celtics Stun Lakers After Trailing by 24 (2008 NBA Finals, Game 4)

The Boston Celtics entered Game 4 looking to take complete control of the Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Instead, they found themselves buried early.

Los Angeles raced to a 35-14 first-quarter lead and eventually built a 24-point advantage. Yet Boston refused to go away, methodically clawing back before unleashing a decisive 23-3 run to secure a 97-91 victory.

The comeback left the Lakers stunned and gave Boston a 3-1 series lead.

Until recently, it was the largest comeback in an NBA Finals game since 1971. The Celtics would finish off the Lakers in Game 6 to capture their 17th championship.

3. Rockets Steal Game 1 From Magic (1995 NBA Finals, Game 1)

The defending champion Houston Rockets entered the 1995 NBA Finals as underdogs against the young and talented Orlando Magic.

Game 1 looked destined to belong to Orlando until one of the most famous collapses in Finals history unfolded.

With the Magic holding a late lead, Nick Anderson missed four consecutive free throws in the final seconds, opening the door for Houston.

Kenny Smith tied the game with a clutch three-pointer, and the Rockets eventually escaped with a 120-118 overtime victory.

Houston stole home-court advantage and completely shifted the series. The Rockets went on to sweep Orlando 4-0 and secure back-to-back championships.

4. Mavericks Silence the Heat's Big Three (2011 NBA Finals, Game 2)

The Miami Heat appeared well on their way to a 2-0 series lead.

After a three-pointer from Dwyane Wade put Miami ahead by 15 points with just over seven minutes remaining, the Finals seemed firmly in the Heat's grasp.

Then the Dallas Mavericks mounted one of the most famous late-game rallies ever.

Dallas closed the game on a 22-5 run, capped by a game-winning layup from Dirk Nowitzki with 3.6 seconds left, securing a dramatic 95-93 victory.

Instead of falling into a 2-0 hole, Dallas evened the series and gained the confidence needed to upset Miami's star-studded "Big Three." The Mavericks would win the franchise's first championship in six games.

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