The NBA playoffs are the most exciting and unpredictable phase of the basketball season, mostly due to a high rivalry level. Here are some of the greatest playoff shocks that fans and analysts could not believe, when they first unfolded.Â
1. 2007: Golden State Warriors vs. Dallas Mavericks
One of the biggest upsets of the season saw the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors eliminate the first-seeded Dallas Mavericks, who had recorded an incredible 67-15 record. The eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors, Baron Davis, and Stephen Jackson, defeated the top-seeded Utah Jazz 4-2 in the Games of the series. How could this team with a low seed number beat the opponent that many considered to be unbeatable?
2. 1994: Denver Nuggets vs. Seattle SuperSonics
Champ at 8, the Nuggets won a shocking first-round knockout over the SuperSonics, who had the van-best record for that season at 63-19. Denver got back into the series by winning four consecutive games, including a dramatic Game 5 win. This series presented one of the biggest upsets that the NBA would ever produce.
3. 2011: Memphis Grizzlies vs. San Antonio Spurs
The first round knocked off the first No.1 seed that was San Antonio Spurs, as the Grizzlies became the first No. 8 seed to beat the No. 1 seed in the best-of-seven series. Thanks to Zach Randolph’s awesome performance, this young team defeated the San Antonio Spurs 4-2 in the series and showed that squat and determination will always best poise and experience.
4. 2012: Philadelphia 76ers vs. Chicago Bulls
The eighth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers pulled off a major upset by defeating the first-seeded Chicago Bulls, who came to the playoffs with a record of 50-16. The series turned out to be quite interesting, with Philadelphia getting a 4-2 victory, thanks to better efforts by Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday to show how the heat of the playoffs can alter sides.
5. 1999: New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat
Competing in the first round of the playoffs as the eighth seed team, the New York Knicks went head to head with the Miami Heat, the first seed team in their series, and came out with a shocking victory. The Knicks won the match 3-2 and San Antonio proved to be too tough for Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway.
These upsets did not merely show how fluid sports can be but also how the playoffs can be anything but certain. Which of the upsets surprised you most?
In conclusion, the five-said series depicts how underdogs can defy the odds and change playoff narratives as etched in NBA history.
