Biggest Playoff Upsets in NBA History

Sometimes, the postseason does not go as expected.

Biggest Playoff Upsets in NBA History

The NBA playoffs have brought us some of the greatest moments in sports. The epic showdowns between the Lakers and Celtics. Michael Jordan’s amazing title runs with the Bulls. And the recent rise of the Warriors.

But what about those moments we didn’t expect? Number eight seeds shocking top seeds in the first round. Underdogs facing incredible odds to produce stunning results. Cinderella stories emerging as champions.

These are the 25 biggest playoff upsets in NBA history.

25. Magic Payback for the Hawks

Year: 2011

Series: Eastern Conference first round

Teams: Atlanta Hawks (44-38, third in Southeast Division, fifth in Eastern Conference), Orlando Magic (52-30, second in Southeast Division, fourth in Eastern Conference)

Result: Hawks win series 4-2

Key stat: Joe Johnson’s double-double (23 points, 10 rebounds) led the Hawks in the Game 6 clincher.

Postseason finish: Hawks lose Eastern Conference semifinals to Chicago Bulls, 4-2

Bottom line: In the previous postseason (2010), the Magic handed the Hawks the most lopsided four-game sweep in NBA history. And there were no indications that Atlanta had made any significant ground since.

But the Hawks turned things around with a great defensive effort. Here, the numbers do not lie — the Magic shot 41 percent and averaged 88.7 points per game during the series. By himself, Dwight Howard committed 33 turnovers.

Orlando flat-out performed terribly, and Atlanta got sweet revenge.

24. Not One of LeBron's — or Cleveland’s — Best Moments

Year: 2010

Series: Eastern Conference semifinals

Teams: Boston Celtics (50-32, first in Atlantic Division, fourth in Eastern Conference), Cleveland Cavaliers (61-21, first in Central Division, first in Eastern Conference)

Result: Celtics win series 4-2

Key stat: In a pivotal Game 4 win, Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo had an impressive triple-double with 29 points, 18 rebounds and 13 assists.

Postseason finish: Celtics lose NBA Finals to Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3

Bottom line: Conspiracy theories exploded after LeBron James looked out of sorts in this series, and the Celtics, once again, took out the Cavaliers in the postseason.

Whatever the case, this finish was one of the biggest disappointments of disappointments for Cleveland sports, and LeBron has to shoulder some of the responsibility.

Also, Rondo deserves props for getting the better of James, who took his talents to Miami that offseason.

23. SuperSonics Come Alive in Blaze of Glory

Year: 1978

Series: Western Conference semifinals

Teams: Seattle SuperSonics (47-35, third in Pacific Division, fourth in Western Conference), Portland Trail Blazers (58-24, first in Pacific Division, first in Western Conference)

Result: SuperSonics win series 4-2

Key stat: Fred "Downtown" Brown had 19 points off the bench to spark the SuperSonics in the Game 6 clincher.

Postseason finish: Sonics lose NBA Finals to Washington Bullets, 4-3

Bottom line: The Trail Blazers were poised for a return trip to the NBA Finals even with some injuries, notably Bill Walton, who tried to play but reinjured his ankle.

At one point during the regular season, the Trail Blazers were 50-10. However, Seattle coach Lenny Wilkens, who took over 23 games into the Sonics' season, was working miracles with players like Gus Williams, Dennis Johnson, Jack Sikma and Brown.

That success continued throughout the playoffs for Seattle until they met the Washington Bullets.

22. Phil’s Swan Song Ain't Pretty

Year: 2011

Series: Western Conference semifinals

Teams: Dallas Mavericks (57-25, second in Southwest Division, third in Western Conference), Los Angeles Lakers (57-25, first in Pacific Division, second in Western Conference)

Result: Mavericks win series 4-0

Key stat: This sweep is the first time a Phil Jackson-coached team got swept in a playoff series.

Postseason finish: Mavericks win NBA Finals over Miami Heat, 4-2

Bottom line: The Lakers made the NBA Finals the previous three seasons with Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol leading the way, but they looked dead in the water from the get-go against the Mavericks.

Dirk Nowitzski and Jason Kidd were outstanding, and they proved the win was no fluke the rest of the postseason, leading Dallas to its first NBA title.

Phil Jackson hit a low point in his coaching career, and that’s the way he went out as Lakers coach.

21. Kings Rise at the Right Time

Year: 1981

Series: Western Conference semifinals

Teams: Kansas City Kings (40-42, second in Midwest Division, fifth in Western Conference), Phoenix Suns (57-25, first in Pacific Division, first in Western Conference)

Result: Kings win series 4-3

Key stat: Ernie Grunfeld scored 23 points to lead the Kings to a stunning Game 7 victory.

Postseason finish: Kings lose Western Conference finals to Houston Rockets, 4-1

Bottom line: The Suns put together one of the greatest seasons in franchise history, and the Kings were a sub-.500 team who had to win their last regular-season game just to make the playoffs.

More shocking, the Kings were without two of their top players, Otis Birdsong and Phil Ford.

This series shouldn’t have gone the Kings’ way, but it did. Role players like Sam Lacey and Reggie King stepped up, and by the time the Suns took them for real, it was too late.

20. Experience Pays Off for Nets

Year: 2014

Series: Eastern Conference first round

Teams: Brooklyn Nets (44-38, second in Atlantic Division, sixth in Eastern Conference), Toronto Raptors (48-34, first in Atlantic Division, third in Eastern Conference)

Result: Nets win series 4-3

Key stat: Nets veteran Paul Pierce blocks Raptors’ point guard Kyle Lowry’s shot to win Game 7 and the series.

Postseason finish: Nets lose Eastern Conference semifinals to Miami Heat, 4-1

Bottom line: The Raptors were on the rise, and the Nets depended on some old guys. Game, set and match? Hardly.

This series taught us not to overlook the experience factor. The Nets had the likes of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, who combined for 267 playoff games going into this series, while the Raptors players combined for 22 playoff games.

More impressive was the old guys had gas in the tank toward the end. Brooklyn was down 3-2 and wound up pulling out Games 6 and 7.

19. Thunder End With a Thud

Year: 2013

Series: Western Conference semifinals

Teams: Memphis Grizzlies (56-26, second in Southwest Division, fifth in Western Conference), Oklahoma City Thunder (60-22, first in Northwest Division, first in Western Conference)

Result: Grizzlies win series 4-1

Key stat: Marc Gasol (19.4), Zach Randolph (18.4), Mike Conley (18.0) and Tony Allen (10.0) all average double-figures in points per game for the series.

Postseason finish: Grizzlies lose Western Conference finals to San Antonio Spurs, 4-0

Bottom line: Sometimes, one player can make a difference in a series, as was the case here for the Thunder. That player was Russell Westbrook, who was sidelined with an injury.

Now, the series fell on Kevin Durant’s shoulders, and the Grizzlies successfully wore him down behind the play of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol.

What made this ending a real surprise was the Thunder won Game 1 and had momentum, and they failed to win another game.

The Grizzlies were in unknown territory and looked like perennial contenders as they advanced to the Western Conference finals for the first time.

18. Warriors Spoil the Party

Year: 1973

Series: Western Conference semifinals

Teams: Golden State Warriors (47-33, second in Pacific Division, fourth in Western Conference), Milwaukee Bucks (60-32, first in Midwest Division, first in Western Conference)

Result: Warriors win series 4-2

Key stat: Credit the defensive work of Nate Thurmond on Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, holding him below his season average in scoring. Abdul-Jabbar called it the finest defensive performance against him.

Postseason finish: Warriors lose Western Conference finals to Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1

Bottom line: True, Rick Barry joined the Warriors that season from the ABA, but this looked like the Bucks all the way with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson starring for Milwaukee.

What we’ve learned, though, is that past Warrior teams were notorious for spoiling the party. After losingGames 1 and 3 by 20 points each, they won three straight games behind the play of Jim Barnett and Clyde Lee to shock the Bucks.

The upset was a total team effort as six Warriors players averaged double-figures in scoring.

17. Pistons Stun Kobe and Shaq

Year: 2004

Series: NBA Finals

Teams: Detroit Pistons (54-28, second in Central Division, third in Eastern Conference), Los Angeles Lakers (56-26, first in Pacific Division, second in Western Conference)

Result: Pistons win series 4-1

Key stat: The Lakers were overwhelming favorites, but failed to score 90 or more points in four losses.

Bottom line: The Lakers had the talent with four future Hall of Famers, and this NBA Finals was viewed as David vs. Goliath.

Credit the Pistons and coach Larry Brown for putting together an unbelievable series, especially on the defensive side.

However, there was plenty of blame for a horrible effort on the Lakers’ part. And the end result brought to the surface a feud between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, which led to Shaq's departure.

16. Hornets Sting Their Rival

Year: 2001

Series: Eastern Conference first round

Teams: Charlotte Hornets (46-36, third in Central Division, sixth in Eastern Conference), Miami Heat (50-32, second in Atlantic Division, third in Eastern Conference)

Result: Hornets win series 3-0

Key stat: The Hornets breezed through the Heat with winning margins of 26, 26 and 15 points.

Postseason finish: Hornets lose Eastern Conference semifinals to Milwaukee Bucks, 4-3

Bottom line: No one saw this coming. The Heat were the favorites, but they were just plain awful.

Those favoring the Heat underestimated the effect Jamal Mashburn would have for the Hornets against his former team, averaging 23.6 points per game. Mashburn was part of a blockbuster trade between Charlotte and Miami, and he was blamed for the Heat’s previous playoff misfortunes.

Meanwhile, the Heat’s Alonzo Mourning, Brian Grant and Anthony Mason were just plain ineffective.

15. Bullets End Short Dynasty

Year: 1971

Series: Eastern Conference finals

Teams: Baltimore Bullets (42-40, first in Central Division, fourth in Eastern Conference), New York Knicks (52-30, first in Atlantic Division, first in Eastern Conference)

Result: Bullets win series 4-3

Key stat: Fred Carter’s jump shot with a minute to play in Game 7 delivered the victory and silenced the crowd at Madison Square Garden.

Postseason finish: Bullets lose NBA Finals to Milwaukee Bucks, 4-0

Bottom line: What would you think, having Walt "Clyde" Frazier, Willis Reed and Dave DeBusschere on your side? No wonder Knicks fans were expecting a dynasty.

Well, that dream ended at the hands of Wes Unseld and Earl "The Pearl" Monroe as the Baltimore Bullets finally defeated the rival Knicks in a playoff series.

In the Game 7 clincher, Monroe doubled Frazier in points, scoring 26 to 13.

14. Nightmare for Heat’s Dream Team

Year: 2011

Series: NBA Finals

Teams: Dallas Mavericks (57-25, second in Southwest Division, third in Western Conference), Miami Heat (58-24, first in Southeast Division, second in Eastern Conference)

Result: Mavericks win series 4-2

Key stat: The Mavericks became the only team in NBA history to be down twice in a series going six games and win.

Bottom line: What happened to the Heat’s coronation as kings?

They acquired LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwyane Wade for one reason — to win the NBA Finals.

But the Mavericks did not fold and came from behind thanks to Dirk Nowitzski, Jason Terry and Jason Kidd, and a solid defensive effort on Miami’s big three.

13. Persistent Blazers Outfight Sixers

Year: 1977

Series: NBA Finals

Teams: Portland Trail Blazers (49-33, second in Pacific Division, third in Western Conference), Philadelphia 76ers (50-32, first in Atlantic Division, first in Eastern Conference)

Result: Trail Blazers win series 4-2

Key stat: This postseason was the Trail Blazers’ first playoff appearance after being in existence for seven years.

Bottom line: Philadelphia had the better cards in its deck. The 76ers acquired Julius Erving and George McGinnis as the ABA folded, making them an instant title contender, while the Trail Blazers surprised everyone by getting this far.

The series played out as expected early, with the 76ers winning the first two games (the Trail Blazers had 34 turnovers in Game 1), including a Maurice Lucas-Darryl Dawkins fight in Game 2.

But upon returning to Portland, "Blazermania" was in full swing, and the series turned on the play of Bill Walton and Lucas. The 76ers didn’t win another game.

12. Twin Towers Cancel Showtime

Year: 1986

Series: Western Conference finals

Teams: Houston Rockets (51-31, first in Midwest Division, second in Western Conference), Los Angeles Lakers (62-20, first in Pacific Division, first in Western Conference)

Result: Rockets win series 4-3

Key stat: Ralph Sampson put the dagger in the Lakers with a game-winning jumper to clinch the series in Game 5.

Postseason finish: Rockets lose NBA Finals to Boston Celtics, 4-2

Bottom line: This series favored the defending champion Lakers, who had dominated the Western Conference for four years, led by Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and James Worthy.

But one important fact was overlooked: The Rockets and their "Twin Towers" of Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson matched up well with "Showtime."

The Lakers won Game 1, and it was all Rockets after that.

11. Welcome to the Association, Elgin

Year: 1959

Series: Western Division finals

Teams: Minneapolis Lakers (33-39, second in Western Division), St. Louis Hawks (49-23, first in Western Division)

Result: Lakers win series 4-2

Key stat: The Lakers' win set up their first NBA Finals matchup with the Boston Celtics, the start of the greatest rivalry in league history.

Postseason finish: Lakers lose NBA Finals to Celtics, 4-0

Bottom line: Let’s face it. The Lakers were a struggling franchise, finishing last the season prior (1958), and came into this series winning 16 fewer games than the Hawks.

The series presented a golden opportunity for the defending NBA champion Hawks to return to the Finals, except for one thing: the emergence of Elgin Baylor, the NBA’s top overall pick and eventual rookie of the year.

Baylor averaged 28.3 points per game in the series, marking the start of a brilliant career.

10. A Finals Sweep for the Warriors? Really?

Year: 1975

Series: NBA Finals

Teams: Golden State Warriors (48-34, first in Pacific Division, first in Western Conference), Washington Bullets (60-22, first in Central Division, second in Eastern Conference)

Result: Warriors win series 4-0

Key stat: This series was the first time in North American professional sports history that two African-American coaches (Al Attles of the Warriors and K.C. Jones of the Bullets) faced each other for a championship.

Bottom line: The Bullets were considered shoo-ins for the title with their overwhelming talent, led by Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld, squaring off against Rick Barry and the no-name Warriors.

Nobody even expected Golden State to advance this far, so the team didn't have a home court available due to scheduling conflicts, and a weird format had to be instituted for the series: Games 1 and 4 in Maryland, Games 2 and 3 in California.

Nevertheless, the Warriors took control with remarkable play from Barry, Jamaal Wilkes and their bench. A fight broke out in Game 4, and Golden State coach Al Attles, who joined the fray, was ejected.

All the dust-up did was spark Barry and the Warriors' defense toward a 96-95 victory and improbable NBA title.

9. LeBron Serves Notice

Year: 2007

Series: Eastern Conference finals

Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (50-32, second in Central Division, second in Eastern Conference), Detroit Pistons (53-29, first in Central Division, first in Eastern Conference)

Result: Cavaliers win series 4-2

Key stat: LeBron James’ 48-point performance in a pivotal Game 5 showed he was capable of carrying a team.

Postseason finish: Cavaliers lose NBA Finals to San Antonio Spurs, 4-0

Bottom line: The Pistons came in to the series with the fifth-best defense in the NBA. It didn't matter.

LeBron James shredded whoever was guarding him: Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince.

But what was most surprising was how James dominated throughout all six games in the series, and carried a team full of no-names to the NBA Finals.

8. Celtics Aren't Dead Yet

Year: 1969

Series: NBA Finals

Teams: Boston Celtics (48-34, fourth in Eastern Division), Los Angeles Lakers (55-27, first in Western Division)

Result: Celtics win series 4-3

Key stat: Jerry West was named NBA Finals MVP after averaging 37.9 points per game in the series, and he played for the losing team, the only time that has happened.

Bottom line: The Celtics' dynasty looked dead. They barely made the playoffs, their key players were aging, and Bill Russell spent more time as a coach than a player.

Meanwhile, the Lakers walked in with Jerry West, Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain ready to start a new NBA dynasty. They should have clobbered the Celtics.

Instead, the Celtics dug in against their rivals and capped off their title with the first Game 7 win by a road team.

7. Hawks' One and Only

Year: 1958

Series: NBA Finals

Teams: St. Louis Hawks (41-31, first in Western Division), Boston Celtics (49-23, first in Eastern Division)

Result: Hawks win series 4-2

Key stat: Bill Russell severely sprained his ankle in Game 3 and was lost for the series.

Bottom line: The Celtics walked in with eight future Hall of Famers and still had firepower even after losing Bill Russell.

The Hawks, who had never won an NBA title before 1958, had one big weapon: Bob Pettit, who had one spectacular performance after another. In the clinching Game 6, he was amazing with 50 points, including scoring 18 of the team's last 21 points.

The Hawks have not won another title since.

6. 76ers Capitalize on Bulls' Misfortunes

Year: 2012

Series: Eastern Conference first round

Teams: Philadelphia 76ers (35-31, third in Atlantic Division, eighth in Eastern Conference), Chicago Bulls (50-16, first in Central Division, first in Eastern Conference)

Result: 76ers win series 4-2

Key stat: Remember the play of Spencer Hawes, who was instrumental for the 76ers in the Games 3 and 4 victories, scoring 21 and 22 points, respectively.

Postseason finish: 76ers lose Eastern Conference semifinals to Boston Celtics, 4-3

Bottom line: Granted, the series took a turn when reigning MVP Derrick Rose tore his ACL, the beginning of a parade of injuries for Rose. Joakim Noah was out with injury, too.

And even though the 76ers made the playoffs by the skin of their teeth, they laid an impressive defensive blanket over the Bulls.

A lasting moment was Andre Iguodala jumping up on the scorer’s table in celebration after winning Game 6.

5. Knicks Turn off Heat

Year: 1999

Series: Eastern Conference first round

Teams: New York Knicks (27-23, fourth in Atlantic Division, eighth in Eastern Conference), Miami Heat (33-17, first in Atlantic Division, first in Eastern Conference)

Result: Knicks win series 3-2

Key stat: The series was known as the Allan Houston Series, which climaxed with his game-winning runner that delivered a 78-77 victory in Game 5.

Postseason finish: Knicks lose NBA Finals to San Antonio Spurs, 4-1

Bottom line: The Knicks-Heat rivalry was one of the best in NBA history, but this series should’ve went Miami’s way.

The Knicks squeaked into the playoffs in the lockout-shortened season and had little chance of advancing with an aging Patrick Ewing and controversial Latrell Sprewell. That left just Allan Houston and Larry Johnson as New York's main threats.

That was enough to shock the Heat and make an improbable run to the NBA Finals, where they lost to San Antonio.

4. Finally, a Title for Cleveland

Year: 2016

Series: NBA Finals

Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers (57-25, first in Central Division, first in Eastern Conference), Golden State Warriors (73-9), first in Pacific Division, first in Western Conference)

Result: Cavaliers win series 4-3

Key stat: The Cavaliers won their first NBA title and the first professional sports championship for Cleveland since 1964.

Bottom line: The red carpet was laid out for the Warriors. They came in from a historical regular season that saw them set records for most wins and most road wins.

The Warriors even held a commanding 3-1 series lead over the Cavaliers, but they couldn’t nail that last win. Perhaps playing starters in meaningless games had its effect.

The Warriors led 49-42 at halftime in Game 7, but they went scoreless over the final 4:39 of the game.

LeBron James became the first player to lead all players in a playoff series in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.

3. Grizzlies Not Intimidated

Year: 2011

Series: Western Conference first round

Teams: Memphis Grizzlies (46-36, fourth in Southwest Division, eighth in Western Conference), San Antonio Spurs (61-21, first in Southwest Division, first in Western Conference)

Result: Grizzlies win series 4-2

Key stat: The Grizzlies are one of four eighth-seeded teams that knocked out the top seed in the first round of the playoffs.

Postseason finish: Grizzlies lose Western Conference semifinals to Oklahoma City Thunder, 4-3

Bottom line: The Spurs were the better team going in, with savvy veterans and one of the best coaches of all time. But that pedigree had no effect on the Grizzlies.

The Spurs sputtered offensively against a formidable Memphis defense, failing to score over 100 points in all but one game. And Zach Randolph had his way, averaging 21.5 points per game. In the clincher, he scored 17 of his game-high 31 points in the fourth quarter.

As a result, the Grizzlies advanced to the Western Conference semifinals for the first time.

2. Not So Fast, Sonics

Year: 1994

Series: Western Conference first round

Teams: Denver Nuggets (42-40, fourth in Midwest Division, eighth in Western Conference), Seattle SuperSonics (63-19, first in Pacific Division, first in Western Conference)

Result: Nuggets win series 3-2

Key stat: The Nuggets used a team effort to shut down Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp and limited the Sonics to 90.6 points in the final three games of the series.

Postseason finish: Nuggets lose Western Conference semifinals to Utah Jazz, 4-3

Bottom line: The SuperSonics should’ve swept this series. They rolled in with a franchise record for victories, were on top of their game coming into the playoffs and won the first two games of the five-game contest.

But a funny thing happened. The Nuggets started playing loose with a nothing-to-lose attitude ,and their play dramatically changed.

They won three straight, eliminating the Sonics with a 98-94 overtime win in Game 5.

1. What Happened to the Mavs?

Year: 2007

Series: Western Conference first round

Teams: Golden State Warriors (42-40, third in Pacific Division, eighth in Western Conference), Dallas Mavericks (67-15, first in Southwest Division, first in Western Conference in Pacific)

Result: Warriors win series 4-2

Key stat: In the Game 6 clincher, the Warriors took control with a 36-15 run in the third quarter. Stephen Jackson finished with 33 points.

Postseason finish: Warriors lose Western Conference semifinals to Utah Jazz, 4-1

Bottom line: This series was one of the great NBA Cinderella stories of all time. The Mavericks were coming off a 67-win season, and Dirk Nowitzki was having an MVP season.

But the Warriors began a "Believe" campaign, and players and fans bought into it.

The Warriors' home floor turned into a college atmosphere, and players and fans willed their way to a shocking series victory over the Mavericks.