No NBA team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. However, a small percentage of NBA teams have defied the odds and won a playoff series after facing 3-1 deficits.
Two Teams Face Elimination In 2025 NBA Playoffs
the sweet sounds of a 3-1 series lead 🎼 pic.twitter.com/SphbgYbOX7
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 28, 2025
The 2025 NBA Playoffs are down to four teams: the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Both conference finals feature 3-1 series leads. The Thunder have a 3-1 series lead over the Wolves in the West, while the Pacers have a 3-1 lead over the Knicks in the East.
Can the Wolves and Knicks complete the improbable comeback? History says it won’t happen.
The Wolves are 0-4 when facing a 3-1 deficit in the postseason. Meanwhile, the Knicks are 0-15 when staring at a 3-1 deficit. Three of those instances have come against the Pacers.
While the Pacers have never blown a 3-1 lead, the Thunder famously lost to the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference finals after losing the final three games of the series.
NBA Teams To Win Series After Facing 3-1 Deficit
| Team | Year | Opponent | Playoff Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuggets | 2020 | Clippers | Conference Semifinals |
| Nuggets | 2020 | Jazz | First Round |
| Cavaliers | 2016 | Warriors | NBA Finals |
| Warriors | 2016 | Thunder | Conference Finals |
| Rockets | 2015 | Clippers | Conference Semifinals |
| Suns | 2006 | Lakers | First Round |
| Pistons | 2003 | Magic | First Round |
| Heat | 1997 | Knicks | Conference Semifinals |
| Rockets | 1995 | Suns | Conference Semifinals |
| Celtics | 1981 | 76ers | Conference Finals |
| Bullets | 1979 | Spurs | Conference Finals |
| Lakers | 1970 | Suns | Conference Semifinals |
| Celtics | 1968 | 76ers | Conference Finals |
Has an NBA team ever won a series after falling behind 3-1? Yes, but it’s a rare occurrence. A team has recovered from a 3-1 deficit to win the series 13 times (4.4%) in 283 tries.
The most recent 3-1 triumph came in the 2020 NBA Bubble. The Denver Nuggets overcame 3-1 deficits against the Utah Jazz in the first round and the Los Angeles Clippers in the semifinals.
The 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers are the only team in NBA history to complete the 3-1 comeback in the finals.
