Out of all the professional sports, basketball has the most potential for lightning-fast lead changes. Unlike football, baseball, hockey, or soccer, a fourth-quarter come-from-behind victory isn’t about one or two scores. Oh, no no no. In basketball, the ability to score rapidly is what makes those last few seconds of a close game so intense. And the only thing better than a close game is a last-minute, come-from-behind victory. For lovers of fast breaks, tough rebounding, and clutch shots, these are the three greatest comebacks in NBA history.
3. Boston Celtics vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Date: April 30, 2021
The Deficit: 32 points
Final Score: Boston Celtics 143, San Antonio Spurs 140, OT
The Comeback: The Boston Celtics were down 32 points early in the third quarter when they decided they’d had enough of being disrespected on their home court. Led by Jayson Tatum’s 60 points, the Celtics outscored the Spurs 42-26 in the third to put them to within 13 points going into the fourth. A masterful display on both sides of the court allowed Boston to tie the game and send it to overtime, where they managed to pull ahead of the Spurs for a heart-pounding victory.
2. Sacramento Kings vs. Chicago Bulls
The Date: Dec. 21, 2009
The Deficit: 35 points
Final Score: Sacramento Kings 102, Chicago Bulls 98
The Comeback: Down 67-43 going into the third quarter, the Bulls outscored the Kings 10-1 before the Kings mounted their comeback – going on a 19-5 run to end the third. In the fourth, Sac-Town went off, outscoring the Bulls 33-10 to pull victory from the jaws of defeat.
1. Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets
The Date: Nov. 27, 1996
The Deficit: 36 points
Final Score: Utah Jazz 107, Denver Nuggets 103
The Comeback: The largest comeback in NBA history started when the Utah Jazz, down 36 points late in the second quarter, began to turn things around in the second half. With Hall of Famer Karl Malone leading the way, the Jazz managed to outscore the Nuggets by 21 points in the third, then go on a tear in the fourth for a spectacular come-from-behind victory.
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