Quick Answer: Yes, a total of 13 teams in NBA history have successfully come back from a 3-1 deficit to win a playoff series. The most famous instance occurred in the 2016 NBA Finals when the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors.
The History of the 3-1 Comeback in the NBA
In the high-pressure environment of the NBA playoffs, falling behind 3-1 in a best-of-seven series is usually a death sentence. Fans often ask, has any NBA team ever come back from being down 31? (referring to the 3-1 deficit). The answer is a resounding yes, although it is an incredibly rare feat. Out of hundreds of playoff series played over nearly 80 years, only 13 teams have managed to defy the odds, fight off elimination three times in a row, and secure a series victory.
To achieve this, a team must possess incredible mental toughness, superior conditioning, and often a bit of luck. The pressure shifts entirely to the leading team, and if the underdog can steal Game 5, momentum begins to swing. Below, we will explore the complete list of these legendary squads, analyze the strategies they used, and dive deep into the most famous comeback of all time.
The Elite 13: Teams That Defied the Odds
When answering the question "has any NBA team ever come back from being down 31," we must look at the exclusive club of 13 franchises. These teams stared defeat in the face and refused to blink. From the gritty Celtics of the 60s to the bubble-bound Nuggets of 2020, here is the chronological list of every 3-1 comeback in NBA history.
- 1968 Boston Celtics 📌 Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Division Finals. This was the first time it ever happened, led by the legendary Bill Russell against Wilt Chamberlain.
- 1970 Los Angeles Lakers 📌 Defeated the Phoenix Suns in the Western Division Semifinals. Jerry West and Elgin Baylor powered this historic turnaround.
- 1979 Washington Bullets 📌 Defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the Eastern Conference Finals. They won the final three games by a combined 14 points in a thrilling series.
- 1981 Boston Celtics 📌 Defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Larry Bird's Celtics won Game 5, 6, and 7 by a combined 5 points.
- 1995 Houston Rockets 📌 Defeated the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Semifinals. This "Clutch City" team, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, went on to win the title.
- 1997 Miami Heat 📌 Defeated the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. A physical series defined by suspensions and Pat Riley's defensive schemes.
- 2003 Detroit Pistons 📌 Defeated the Orlando Magic in the First Round. The Magic, led by Tracy McGrady, crumbled as Detroit's defense tightened up.
- 2006 Phoenix Suns 📌 Defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the First Round. Kobe Bryant's heroics weren't enough to stop the "Seven Seconds or Less" Suns.
- 2015 Houston Rockets 📌 Defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference Semifinals. Famous for Josh Smith and Corey Brewer leading a Game 6 comeback with James Harden on the bench.
- 2016 Golden State Warriors 📌 Defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Klay Thompson's 11 three-pointers in Game 6 saved the 73-win season.
- 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers 📌 Defeated the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. The most significant comeback in basketball history, delivering Cleveland its first title.
- 2020 Denver Nuggets 📌 Defeated the Utah Jazz in the First Round. Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell traded 50-point games in the "Bubble."
- 2020 Denver Nuggets 📌 Defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference Semifinals. They became the first team to do it twice in the same postseason.
Baically, while it is rare, these teams proved that series are not over until the fourth win is secured. The Denver Nuggets stand out as the kings of resilience, performing the miracle twice in a single year.
The 2016 NBA Finals: The Miracle
Of all the instances where fans ask "has any NBA team ever come back from being down 31," the 2016 NBA Finals is the most iconic. The Golden State Warriors had just set the regular-season record with 73 wins. They were led by the unanimous MVP, Stephen Curry. The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, fell behind 3-1 and looked completely outmatched.
- The Suspension Draymond Green was suspended for Game 5, opening a small window of opportunity for the Cavaliers to win on the road.
- LeBron and Kyrie In Game 5, both superstars scored 41 points, a historic duo performance that shattered the Warriors' confidence.
- Game 6 Dominance Back in Cleveland, the Cavs started hot and never looked back, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7.
- The Block In the final minutes of Game 7, LeBron James executed a chase-down block on Andre Iguodala that remains one of the greatest defensive plays ever.
- The Shot Moments later, Kyrie Irving hit a contested three-pointer over Stephen Curry to seal the victory.
This series changed the trajectory of the NBA. It cemented LeBron James' legacy and proved that no team is invincible, regardless of their regular-season dominance. It remains the only time a team has overcome a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals specifically.
Statistical Breakdown of 3-1 Leads
To understand how difficult this task is, we must look at the numbers. The history of the league shows that the team with the 3-1 lead wins the vast majority of the time. The success rate for the leading team is over 95%.
Below is a breakdown of the 13 comebacks by round:
| Playoff Round | Number of Comebacks | Notable Teams |
|---|---|---|
| First Round | 3 | 2003 Pistons, 2006 Suns, 2020 Nuggets |
| Conference Semifinals | 5 | 1970 Lakers, 1995 Rockets, 2015 Rockets |
| Conference Finals | 4 | 1968 Celtics, 1979 Bullets, 2016 Warriors |
| NBA Finals | 1 | 2016 Cavaliers |
Why Is It So Hard to Come Back?
There is a reason why the answer to "has any NBA team ever come back from being down 31" involves such a short list. The psychological and physical toll on the trailing team is immense. Here are the primary factors that make this achievement so rare:
- Fatigue 📌 Teams that fall behind 3-1 are often physically exhausted. They have to play with maximum intensity for three straight elimination games, while the leading team only needs one good night to end it.
- Home Court Advantage 📌 Usually, the team with the 3-1 lead has home-court advantage (Game 5 and Game 7 at home). Winning two road games in a pressure cooker is statistically improbable.
- Margin for Error 📌 The trailing team cannot make mistakes. One bad quarter, one cold shooting streak, or one injury effectively ends their season. The leading team can afford a bad game.
- Mental Pressure 📌 The weight of history is heavy. Players know the stats. However, if the trailing team wins Game 5, the pressure shifts to the leader to avoid "choking."
By understanding these factors, we appreciate the greatness of the 13 teams that managed to pull it off. They didn't just beat the opponent; they beat the situation and the history books.
The "Doc Rivers" Curse
While discussing comebacks, it is impossible to ignore the coaches involved. Interestingly, one coach appears frequently on the losing side of these equations. Doc Rivers holds the unfortunate record of being the only coach in NBA history to blow multiple 3-1 leads.
- 2003 Orlando Magic Led by Doc Rivers, they lost to the Detroit Pistons.
- 2015 LA Clippers Led by Doc Rivers, they lost to the Houston Rockets.
- 2020 LA Clippers Led by Doc Rivers, they lost to the Denver Nuggets.
This statistical anomaly highlights how coaching adjustments—or the lack thereof—play a critical role in closing out a series. When a team is up 3-1, the trailing team will make desperate changes. If the leading coach fails to counter, the lead can evaporate quickly.
Comparing 3-1 to 3-0 Deficits
It is important to distinguish between being down 3-1 and being down 3-0. While 13 teams have recovered from 3-1, zero teams in NBA history have ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series.
Teams down 3-0 have forced a Game 7 on four occasions (1951 Knicks, 1994 Nuggets, 2003 Trail Blazers, 2023 Celtics), but they all lost the final game. The 3-1 deficit offers a glimmer of hope because the trailing team has already won at least one game, proving they are capable of beating their opponent. This psychological foothold is often the difference between a comeback and a sweep.
Conclusion: The Beauty of the Comeback
So, has any NBA team ever come back from being down 31 (3-1)? Yes, and each time it happens, it creates a story that lasts forever. From the 1968 Celtics to the 2020 Nuggets, these teams remind us why we watch sports. They teach us that resilience, belief, and execution can overcome insurmountable odds.
As the NBA continues to evolve with the three-point revolution, leads are becoming less safe. Volatility is increasing, which might mean we see more 3-1 comebacks in the future. However, it will always remain one of the hardest achievements in professional sports, reserved only for the most mentally tough squads in the league.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many times has a 3-1 comeback happened in the NBA Finals?
It has happened only once in NBA Finals history: The Cleveland Cavaliers came back to beat the Golden State Warriors in 2016.
2. Has any team ever come back from 3-0?
No, no NBA team has ever won a series after trailing 3-0. Teams are 0-157 (as of 2024) in that situation, though four teams have forced a Game 7.
3. Which team has the most 3-1 comebacks?
The Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets have both accomplished this feat twice. The Nuggets did it twice in the same postseason (2020).
4. Who is the only coach to blow multiple 3-1 leads?
Doc Rivers is the only coach in NBA history to lose three separate series after his team held a 3-1 lead (2003, 2015, 2020).
5. Why are 3-1 comebacks more common now?
The increased reliance on 3-point shooting creates higher variance in scoring. This allows trailing teams to get hot and blow out opponents, swinging momentum faster than in previous eras.
6. What was the most recent 3-1 comeback?
The most recent 3-1 comeback occurred in the 2020 playoffs when the Denver Nuggets overcame the LA Clippers in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Final Thought:
The 3-1 comeback is the ultimate test of character. It separates the good teams from the legendary ones. Whether you are a fan of the Cavs, the Nuggets, or just the game of basketball, these moments define the magic of the playoffs.