NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors and Teams with 3-1 Comebacks
Stephen Curry and the 2015-16 Golden State Warriors are the First Ever to Come Back From 3-1 Down in the Western Conference Finals
It’s been a while since Sports List of the Day has hit the presses but the 2016 Golden State Warriors and Western Conference Finals have re-inspired some old writing and statistical passions.
How?
Well, the Warriors just became only the 10th team in NBA postseason history to come back from a 3-1 deficit (and the first ever in the Western Conference Finals, in fact – now how about that). It has happened three times in the Eastern Conference Finals, but still never in the NBA Finals.
And just to note, no NBA team has ever come back from three down (3-0) to win four straight. It’s happened in other sports, though.
Back in 2013, when Sports List of the Day first took a look at 3-1 NBA postseason comebacks, only eight teams had achieved the feat. Since then, the 2015 Houston Rockets and this season’s Warriors have joined the list.
Let’s take another look at all 10 comebacks, and add a dose of statistical fruit to feed your head…
Follow @VinGetz| WINNER (SEED) | LOSER (SEED) | YEAR | ROUND | GAME 7 SCORE | |
| 10. | Golden State Warriors (1) | Oklahoma City Thunder (3) | 2016 | Western Finals |
96-88 |
| 9. | Houston Rockets (2) | Los Angeles Clippers (3) | 2006 | Western Semis |
113-100 |
| 8. | Phoenix Suns (2) | Los Angeles Lakers (7) | 2006 | Eastern Round 1 | 121-90 |
| 7. | Detroit Pistons (1) | Orlando Magic (8) | 2003 | Eastern Round 1 | 108-93 |
| 6. | Miami Heat (2) | New York Knicks (3) | 1997 | Eastern Semis | 101-90 |
| 5. | Houston Rockets (6) | Phoenix Suns (3) | 1995 | Western Semis | 115-114* |
| 4. | Boston Celtics (1) | Philadelphia 76ers (2) | 1981 | Eastern Finals | 91-90 |
| 3. | Washington Bullets (1) | San Antonio Spurs (2) | 1979 | Eastern Finals | 107-105 |
| 2. | Los Angeles Lakers (2) | Phoenix Suns (3) | 1970 | Western Semis | 129-94 |
| 1. | Boston Celtics (2) | Philadelphia 76ers (1) | 1968 | Eastern Finals | 100-96* |
* Underdog (by seeding) and so won Game 7 on the road: the 1968 Boston Celtics and 1995 Houston Rockets
There have now been
Photos: Ezra Shaw, Getty Images, oregonlive.com
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