The history of the NBA is long and rich. During its more than 75 years of life, the league has left unforgettable moments, especially in the Playoffs, but also in the big Regular Seasons. With the increase in scoring, the fruit of the awakening of the three-pointer and the improvement of talent, it has become more common to make an epic comeback.
Winning by double digits at halftime is no longer synonymous with victory, but it is only half the battle, because in the blink of an eye everything can change.
What were the greatest comebacks in NBA history? It’s time to review them:
No. 1 – Utah Jazz
- Result: 107-103 against the Nuggets
- Come back: 36 points
- Date: November 27, 1996
The Stockton and Malone Jazz staged their biggest comeback to date after going on a 70-36 halftime run.
A night in which Malone would go on to score 31 points and Hornacek to 29, thanks to an incredible second half.
#2 – Sacramento Kings
- Result: 102-98 vs. Bulls
- come back: 35 points
- Date: December 21, 2009
The Sacramento Kings were right on the verge of tying or surpassing the record set by the Jazz more than 13 years ago.
At the United Center in Chicago, Tyreke Evans led the Kings with 23 points, 35 of them in less than 9 minutes. A historic comeback for the record time in which they did it.
#2 – LA Clippers
- Result: 116-115 vs. Wizards
- come back: 35 points
- Date: January 25, 2022
Ty Lue’s men made history in the 2021-2022 season by pulling off several big comebacks along the way, though none came close to the one they pulled off in Washington. After trailing by 35 at halftime, the Clippers made an epic appeal and 29 points from Amir Coffey and 25 from Luke Kennard ended the Wizards’ hopes.
No. 3 – Boston Celtics
- Result: 143-140 vs. Spurs
- come back: 32 points
- Date: April 30, 2021
A few days after the season ended, the Celtics had a history making game. Not only did Jayson Tatum match Larry Bird by finishing with 60 points in that game, but he pulled off the franchise’s longest comeback from a 32-point deficit.
A game that was decided in overtime and whose comeback began in the third quarter, from 32 down to just 13.
#4 – Los Angeles Lakers
- Result: 103-105 against the Mavs
- Come back: 30 points
- Date: December 6, 2002
The Lakers were down 30 late in the third quarter, not unusual after starting the season 8-13. The all-powerful Mavericks of that moment with Nash, Van Exel and Nowitzki in command were being erased from the court.
That’s when Kobe’s 21 points in the fourth quarter clinched the victory, including Bryant’s basket with 8 seconds left.
#4 – Toronto Raptors
- Result: 107-110 vs. Mavs
- come back: 30 points
- Date: December 22, 2019
The Mavericks took a maximum lead of 30 points during the third quarter after a dunk by Canadian Dwight Powell. But it was extinguished thanks to Kyle Lowry, who in the last quarter scored a total of 12 points and with partial 47-21 signed the biggest comeback in the history of the franchise.
Other returns
Milwaukee Bucks
- Result: 117-115 vs. Hawks
- come back: 29 points
- Date: 25 December 1977
Dallas Mavericks
- Result: 107-100 vs. Wolves
- come back: 29 points
- Date: December 30, 2008
brooklyn nets
- Result: 123-121 vs. Kings
- come back: 28 points
- Date: March 19, 2019
Los Angeles Clippers
- Result: 123-112 vs. Celtics
- come back: 28 points
- Date: February 9, 2019
