Let me tell you about some of the most shocking NBA playoff upsets that took place in arenas across the league. Sometimes, an underdog defies the odds, and it's one of the best parts about being a fan. When you least expect it, a team you never saw coming pulls off a jaw-dropping win, and the energy in the building skyrockets. Take 2007, for example, when the Golden State Warriors stunned the basketball world by taking down the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs had finished the regular season with a stunning 67-15 record. They looked unstoppable, and yet, in the first round, they crumbled against the eighth-seeded Warriors. Every single game in Oracle Arena felt electric, and the Warriors played like they had nothing to lose, winning the series 4-2.
When we talk about modern-day surprises, how can anyone forget the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers? They were up against a Golden State Warriors team that had set an NBA record with 73 wins. Everyone thought this would be a repeat of the 2015 finals where the Warriors sent LeBron James and his Cavs packing. However, in the final moments of Game 7 at the Oracle Arena, Kyrie Irving hit a clutch three-pointer over Steph Curry, giving Cleveland a 93-89 lead. The Cavaliers then went on to win their first NBA Championship, a perfect embodiment of never giving up, no matter how stacked the odds.
Even the 1994 Denver Nuggets made history in their own right. They became the first eighth-seeded team to upset a top-seed in a five-game series. Matched up against the Seattle SuperSonics, who boasted an impressive 63-win season, the Nuggets showed grit and resilience. In Game 5, with the game tied late in the fourth quarter, Dikembe Mutombo blocked what seemed like every shot that came his way, leading his team to a 98-94 overtime victory. After the win, Mutombo's iconic moment holding the basketball while lying on the floor remains one of the most memorable images in NBA playoff history.
Back in 1999, the New York Knicks were another eighth seed that went on an improbable run. They faced the Miami Heat in the first round. The Heat had a 33-17 record during the lockout-shortened season and were favored to cruise. But then Allan Houston's game-winning runner in Game 5 stunned Miami's home crowd and completed the upset. The Knicks not only beat the Heat but then took out the Atlanta Hawks and Indiana Pacers, making it all the way to the NBA Finals. Though they fell short against the Spurs, their path to get there was nothing short of extraordinary.
Talking about arenas filled with disbelief and amazement, let’s not overlook the 2011 Memphis Grizzlies' upset over the San Antonio Spurs. Grizzlies' guard Mike Conley put up an impressive 15.2 points per game, leading his team to defy expectations. Inside the FedExForum, you could feel the tension every time Tony Allen's lockdown defense challenged the Spurs' offense. Grizzlies fans will never forget that feeling of complete euphoria as their team won 99-91 in Game 6, sending the Spurs home early. Memphis became only the fourth eighth-seed ever to pull off such an upset.
The 2012 Philadelphia 76ers added their name to the list of underdog legends by defeating the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls had a league-best 50-16 record but lost Derrick Rose to a torn ACL in Game 1. The Sixers seized the opportunity, and on their home court, they made a spectacular comeback. Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday stepped up, scoring crucial buckets that eventually led to a 79-78 victory in Game 6 at Wells Fargo Center. Sometimes, an upset isn't just about one team's excellence; it's also about another team's misfortune.
I can’t wrap this up without mentioning the 1995 Houston Rockets. They were the sixth seed, not typically the position for a title contender. But they boasted Hakeem Olajuwon, who led the team from start to finish. When they faced the Phoenix Suns in the second round, Houston found themselves down 3-1. Any stat geek would tell you the odds of coming back from that deficit are pretty slim. Yet, back-to-back wins, including an overtime thriller in Game 5 and a Game 7 win at the America West Arena, left everyone speechless. The Rockets then went on to sweep the Orlando Magic in the finals, proving that seeding isn't everything.
These are just a few examples of how unpredictable and thrilling the NBA playoffs can be. Whether it's a Game 7 buzzer-beater, a surprise Cinderella run, or an all-time great performance, the drama in these arenas is what makes basketball so exciting. If you want to catch similar moments, check out arena plus for more updates and live-action.