People still talk about the 1994 NBA Playoffs when the eighth-seeded Denver Nuggets shocked the basketball world by defeating the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics. I'll never forget the moment the Nuggets clinched the series in Game 5, winning 98-94 in overtime. The SuperSonics had finished the regular season with a 63-19 record, making their loss even more astonishing. Dikembe Mutombo's iconic reaction, clutching the ball, remains one of the most memorable images in NBA history.
Another unforgettable upset happened in 2007 when the "We Believe" Golden State Warriors, the eighth seed, took down the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs had a stellar 67-15 regular season record, and Dirk Nowitzki, their powerhouse forward, earned the MVP award. Yet, the Warriors, led by Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, and Jason Richardson, managed a stunning 4-2 series victory. What made this series breathtaking was Golden State's fast-paced, aggressive offense, which left the Mavericks bewildered and unable to keep up.
Let's not forget 2011 when the Memphis Grizzlies, another eighth seed, triumphed over the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs had a fantastic regular season with a 61-21 record, guided by the leadership of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. However, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol powered the Grizzlies to a 4-2 series victory. It was shocking because it was Memphis' first-ever series win in franchise history.
Rewinding back to 1999, we had the lockout-shortened season, and the New York Knicks made history as the eighth seed. They managed to beat the Miami Heat, the first seed, in a dramatic five-game series. Allan Houston's game-winning shot in Game 5 sealed the deal, leaving the Heat and their fans in utter disbelief. The Knicks continued their hot streak all the way to the NBA Finals, though they ultimately fell short to the San Antonio Spurs.
In 2012, the Philadelphia 76ers, seeded eighth, pulled off a surprising win over the top-seeded Chicago Bulls. Despite the Bulls' 50-16 regular season record and the presence of 2011 MVP Derrick Rose, a catastrophic knee injury to Rose in Game 1 allowed the 76ers to win the series 4-2. The Bulls struggled to find their rhythm without Rose, and Philadelphia took full advantage of the situation, even using a slower pace to outmaneuver their opponents.
More recently, in 2016, the Indiana Pacers shocked everyone when they nearly upset the second-seeded Toronto Raptors. The Raptors, who had a 56-26 regular season record, barely escaped with a 4-3 series win. The Pacers, behind the stellar play of Paul George and crucial contributions from young players like Myles Turner, pushed the Raptors to their limits. Although this series did not result in an outright upset, it demonstrated the unpredictability and drama that first-round matchups could bring.
And how could anyone forget the 2003 series where the eighth-seeded Phoenix Suns took on the top-seeded San Antonio Spurs and came incredibly close to an upset? The Spurs had a 60-22 record and featured the legendary duo of Tim Duncan and David Robinson. The Suns fought valiantly, even pushing the series to six games, but ultimately, the Spurs came out on top. What sticks out is how close the Suns were to pulling off one of the most unexpected surprises in playoff history.
I recently came across an article on first round nba playoffs, and it reminded me of how the Milwaukee Bucks, seeded eighth in 1975, delivered a massive blow to the top-seeded Chicago Bulls. The Bucks, led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson, lost the series but pushed it to a Game 7, an achievement in itself for such an underdog team. Their efforts showcased the unpredictability that makes the NBA Playoffs so thrilling.
One can't discuss stunning upsets without mentioning the 1984 New Jersey Nets, the sixth seed, who defeated the defending champion Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. The Sixers, led by Julius Erving and Moses Malone, entered the playoffs with high expectations but fell short, losing the series 3-2. This upset sent shockwaves through the league and reminded everyone that no team is invincible.
I remember the 2001 LA Lakers, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, having an unprecedentedly dominant postseason, sweeping every series up until the Finals. But what often gets overlooked is how the eighth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers almost upended them in the first round the previous year, in 2000, during their championship run. Although the Lakers won the series 3-2, Portland's perseverance and resilience provided a glimpse into how anything is possible in the NBA Playoffs.
From underdog teams to breathtaking last-second shots, the NBA's first-round upsets are stories etched in sports history, proving that no matter how dominant a team seems during the regular season, the playoffs are a different battlefield entirely. Besides, isn't the thrill of unexpected victories what makes sports so captivating? As fans, we live for these moments and hope to see even more surprising upsets in the future seasons of NBA.