The 2025 NBA Playoffs: A Season of Unbelievable Comebacks

The 2025 NBA playoffs have become a spectacle defined by improbable comebacks, showcasing the league’s unpredictable nature and the resilience of its teams. A common thread has emerged: no lead is truly safe. Several teams have overcome significant deficits to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, leaving fans and analysts alike stunned. This year’s playoffs are not just about talent; they are a testament to mental fortitude, tactical adjustments, and a little bit of luck.

The Oklahoma City Thunder initiated this trend in their first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. Down by 29 points in the second quarter and trailing 77-51 at halftime of Game 3, the Thunder mounted a remarkable comeback, outscoring the Grizzlies by 32 points in the second half to secure a 114-108 victory. This win marked the first time in NBA playoff history that a team had overcome a 26-point halftime deficit.

The New York Knicks have taken the comeback narrative to another level. In their second-round series against the defending champion Boston Celtics, the Knicks erased two separate 20-point deficits in Games 1 and 2. Trailing 75-55 with 5:47 remaining in the third quarter of Game 1 and 73-53 with 3:12 left in the third quarter of Game 2, the Knicks displayed incredible grit and determination, winning Game 1 in overtime 108-105 and Game 2 91-90. Both victories were on the road, further highlighting the Knicks’ resilience and ability to perform under pressure.

The Denver Nuggets, despite their championship pedigree, also found themselves in a precarious position in Game 1 against the Thunder. Falling behind by 11 points with just 4:31 left in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets rallied to win 121-119, demonstrating their championship mettle and ability to execute in crunch time.

Adding to the excitement, the Indiana Pacers pulled off a stunning comeback against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2. Trailing 81-61 in the third quarter and 119-112 with only 57.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Pacers managed to secure a 120-119 victory, thanks to a clutch 3-pointer by Tyrese Haliburton. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle struggled to articulate the team’s resilience, stating, "Our group has a belief in one another, and we just keep executing, we just keep playing. One thing that we continue to say is Pacers basketball is 48 minutes. Sometimes, it’s 53 and sometimes, it’s 58."

The 2025 NBA playoffs have not only been exciting and unpredictable, but they have also rewritten the record books. The Knicks’ Game 2 victory marked the first time in NBA history that a team has achieved consecutive 20-point comeback victories in the playoffs. Furthermore, it was the first time the NBA had witnessed three consecutive days where a team overcame a 20-point deficit to win a playoff game. The Pacers’ comeback victory against the Cavaliers was equally historic, as they became only the third team since 1997-98 to overcome a seven-point deficit in the final minute of a playoff game.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Knicks’ Game 2 victory was the 26th 20-point comeback playoff victory in the NBA’s play-by-play era since 1996-97. The Pacers and Knicks stand alone as the only teams to complete two 20-point comebacks in the same postseason since 1998.

Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns emphasized the intensity and focus required to execute a comeback, saying, "When you’re in those moments, you don’t realize you’re in those moments. You just get so locked in on the game, so locked in the moment. You just play the game out and execute at the highest level you possibly can and deal with the results later. It’s one of those moments where you just get lost in the game. I’m glad that we got lost in the game for the right reasons."

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault highlighted the importance of communication and process, stating, “There was great communication on the bench, even when we were down 20. We didn’t try to break the game open in one shot. We just stayed present, stacked possessions, and trusted the process. And that shows the power of it.”

While luck and fortune play a role in comebacks, they are not the sole determinants of success. Overcoming a 20-point deficit requires immense mental and physical effort, as well as unwavering focus and energy. As coaches often remind their players during timeouts, the key is to win small segments of the game and maintain an aggressive approach, putting pressure on the opponent.

A successful comeback requires not only a determined effort from one team but also a decline in performance from the other. Poor shooting, mistakes on the court, and strategic errors by coaches can all contribute to a team relinquishing a significant lead. It is a combination of positive events for one team and negative events for the other that creates the opportunity for a comeback.

In the final 19 minutes of Game 2 between Indiana and Cleveland, the Pacers exemplified this dynamic. They outscored the Cavaliers 59-38, shooting 54.8% from the field, including 6-for-12 from 3-point range, and outscoring the Cavs 11-0 in points off turnovers. Conversely, the Cavaliers struggled, shooting only 11-for-32 from the field and 2-for-14 from beyond the arc.

The Celtics have also experienced difficulties in the fourth quarter against the Knicks. Through two games, they shot a combined 9-for-45 from the field and 4-for-26 from 3-point range, scoring only 33 total points in the frame. In contrast, the Knicks shot 45.5% from the field and 45% on 3-pointers, demonstrating the impact of efficient shooting on comeback efforts. The 3-point shot can be a double-edged sword, either propelling a team back into the game or contributing to its downfall.

The Knicks have fully embraced the comeback ethos, overcoming fourth-quarter deficits of at least seven points in five of their six postseason victories this year. Their ability to perform at their best in the fourth quarter, particularly in clutch situations, has been instrumental to their success. Across their six playoff wins, the Knicks have outscored their opponents in fourth quarters by a margin of 170-137, for a net gain of 33 points. In the final five minutes of those games, their margin widens to 87-66, or plus-21. The Knicks’ 21-0 run against the Pistons in Game 1 of the first round further highlights their ability to explode offensively when it matters most.

The Knicks’ comeback formula typically involves tightening their interior defense, forcing teams to take contested perimeter shots, securing rebounds through effective boxing out, and racing out in transition to generate easy baskets or kickouts to open shooters.

Knicks forward Josh Hart emphasized the importance of defensive intensity in sparking comebacks, saying, “Our biggest thing, especially when we go on those runs, it’s like: ‘All right let’s get a stop. We get a stop, let’s get another stop. Let’s get another stop.’ We’ve got guys that can score the ball. When we’re down by that much, the only thing we’re thinking about is: ‘Let’s get this to a one-possession game.’ Our defensive intensity picked up in the fourth quarter.”

The inherent problem with comebacks is that they often stem from earlier periods of poor play. As Hart acknowledged, “Now, we have to learn from it and put together a full game.” The 2025 NBA playoffs have been an exciting showcase of resilience and determination, highlighting that no lead is insurmountable.