The NBA Playoffs are where legends are made, dynasties are built, and hearts are broken. While every postseason brings its own brand of drama, a few have stood out above the rest—marked by unforgettable performances, buzzer-beaters, rivalries, and championship runs that redefined the sport. These playoff runs didn’t just crown champions—they elevated basketball to new heights.
Here’s a look at some of the best NBA Playoffs in league history, showcasing why these moments still resonate with fans decades later.
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2016 NBA Playoffs: The Ultimate Comeback
The 2016 NBA Playoffs delivered one of the most shocking and dramatic conclusions in basketball history. After a record-breaking 73–9 regular season, the Golden State Warriors were heavy favorites to win it all. But the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James, had other plans. Down 3–1 in the Finals, the Cavs clawed back to win three straight games—culminating in Game 7, where LeBron’s iconic chase-down block and Kyrie Irving’s clutch three-pointer sealed Cleveland’s first-ever NBA title.
Why it’s one of the best:
- First team to come back from a 3–1 deficit in the NBA Finals
- LeBron’s historic triple-double in Game 7
- The end of Cleveland’s 52-year championship drought
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1984 NBA Playoffs: The Birth of the Celtics-Lakers Finals Era
The 1984 playoffs marked the first NBA Finals meeting between Larry Bird’s Celtics and Magic Johnson’s Lakers since 1969, reigniting a rivalry that would define the decade. The series went the full seven games and was packed with physical play, intense drama, and legendary moments—like Gerald Henderson’s steal in Game 2 and Bird’s grit in Game 4. The Celtics won the series, but the battle helped lift the NBA into a new era of popularity.
Why it’s one of the best:
- Peak of the Bird vs. Magic rivalry
- Massive boost in TV ratings and fan interest
- Set the tone for mid-’80s NBA dominance
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2001 NBA Playoffs: The Sixers’ Incredible Run
The 2001 playoffs were a showcase of sheer willpower, especially from Allen Iverson, who led a gritty Philadelphia 76ers team to the Finals. After two grueling seven-game series against the Raptors and Bucks, the Sixers stunned the Lakers in Game 1 of the Finals behind Iverson’s 48 points and his now-legendary step over Tyronn Lue. Although the Lakers would win the series in five, the Sixers’ journey was unforgettable.
Why it’s one of the best:
- Allen Iverson’s MVP-level heroics
- Lakers’ dominant 15-1 playoff run
- High drama in the Eastern Conference series
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1993 NBA Playoffs: Jordan’s Toughest Test
In his first true title defense, Michael Jordan had to battle through a brutal playoff gauntlet. The Chicago Bulls defeated the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and then survived an epic seven-game war with the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Finals against Charles Barkley’s Phoenix Suns featured high-scoring affairs and Jordan’s clutch brilliance, including his 55-point explosion in Game 4.
Why it’s one of the best:
- Jordan’s highest-scoring Finals series
- Iconic triple-overtime game vs. the Suns
- End of the first three-peat
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1998 NBA Playoffs: The Last Dance
Michael Jordan’s final championship run with the Bulls was filled with cinematic drama. The Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers went to seven games, and the Finals featured the Bulls and Utah Jazz in a rematch from the previous year. Game 6 of the Finals became the stuff of legend—Jordan’s steal, crossover, and last-second jumper sealed his sixth title in storybook fashion.
Why it’s one of the best:
- Jordan’s final shot as a Bull
- A 6-0 Finals record for Jordan
- The end of the Bulls dynasty
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2020 NBA Playoffs: The Bubble Brings the Unexpected
Played inside the NBA Bubble in Orlando due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 playoffs were unlike any other. Without fans and traditional home-court advantage, players adapted in real time. Jimmy Butler’s Miami Heat emerged as an underdog powerhouse, upsetting the Bucks and making it to the Finals. Ultimately, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers claimed the championship, dedicating the run to the late Kobe Bryant.
Why it’s one of the best:
- Historic performances in unprecedented conditions
- Rise of young stars like Jamal Murray and Tyler Herro
- Emotional weight after Kobe Bryant’s passing
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1995 NBA Playoffs: The Rockets’ Road Warrior Run
The Houston Rockets, led by Hakeem Olajuwon, won the NBA title in 1994, but their 1995 playoff run was even more remarkable. As a sixth seed, they beat four 50+ win teams, including the Suns, Spurs, and Magic. Olajuwon outdueled Shaquille O’Neal and David Robinson, and the Rockets swept Orlando in the Finals.
Why it’s one of the best:
- Lowest seed to ever win the title
- Back-to-back championships without home-court advantage
- Olajuwon’s dominance over elite big men
Honorable Mentions
- 1970 NBA Playoffs: Willis Reed’s inspirational return in Game 7 of the Finals
- 2006 NBA Playoffs: Dwyane Wade leads Miami to its first championship
- 1994 NBA Playoffs: Knicks and Rockets in a hard-fought seven-game Finals
- 2002 NBA Playoffs: Kings vs. Lakers series, one of the most controversial and competitive in history
Why We Watch
The best NBA playoffs are not just about crowning champions—they’re about the stories, the rivalries, the upsets, and the human moments that transcend the game. From Michael Jordan’s dominance to LeBron’s comebacks and underdog tales like the Rockets and Heat, these postseasons remind us why we watch. Every spring, new memories are made—but the greatest playoff runs live forever.
Learn more at: https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2025/nba-finals
The History of the NBA: From Humble Beginnings to Global Phenomenon
The Sport Lady has been a lifelong sports enthusiast. She believes that sports have the power to unite people, create common bonds, and foster shared experiences. As a wife and mother of sports lovers, she is passionate about her favorite teams and cherishes every opportunity to watch them play. For her, every day is game day!