The "Cinderellas" of the NBA, these teams shocked the world in the first round of the playoffs, then moved on to mixed success in the succeeding round.
1) Bucks over Suns, 1978
With the addition of four former ABA franchises in the '76-'77 season inflating the NBA team total to 22, the league decided it was time to expand the playoffs as well. The postseason had broadened from three rounds to four just two years earlier, adding what was essentially a wild card best-of-three first round series between each conference's fourth and fifth seeds. The 1977 expansion was from five playoff teams in each conference to six, with the division winners getting first round byes and the bottom four seeds playing in the first round. Things went exactly as planned in 1977, with the higher-seeded team winning each first round series. But in 1978, we had our first true first round playoff upset when the Bucks, seeded #6, knocked off the third-seeded Suns. Milwaukee's win here was a prime example of how seamlessly a three-game series can shift to the underdog, and it's surprising that this was the only significant first round upset of the late '70s and early '80s. Marques Johnson was red hot, putting up 24 points and 16 rebounds in a game one come-from-behind victory, while every Suns player besides Walter Davis struggled to shoot. Johnson then added 33 points, including 15 straight at one juncture, in game two as the Bucks quickly closed out the series victory. It was a great win for a team that had been struggling to recover from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's departure over a Suns team just one year removed from an NBA Finals appearance. Milwaukee lost to Denver in the next round, but not before putting a scare into the second-seeded Nuggets, extending the series to seven games.
2) Nets over 76ers, 1984
Though the league had expanded by just one franchise between 1978 and 1983 (the Mavericks), it decided to expand the playoffs again in '83-'84 from 12 teams to today's total of 16. All first round byes were eliminated, meaning that any team reaching the NBA Finals would have won three series en route. The move was a result of the growing popularity of the game, buoyed by an influx of marketable star players like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, creating a demand for more playoff games in arenas and on television. Two of the bigger stars of the era, Julius Erving and Moses Malone, were together on the Sixers, and coming off a dominant '82-'83 season that ended with a championship. They looked like a shell of that legendary team in '83-'84, with injuries depleting the depth chart, Erving seeming to age in dog years, and a bruised-up Malone struggling to carry the roster. Succumbing as much as anyone in the modern era to the "disease of more" that often tanks defending champions, Philadelphia (much to the chagrin of coach Billy Cunningham) seemed intent on coasting into the playoffs thinking they could just flip the switch and cruise back to the NBA Finals. Their first round opponent, a young and talented Nets team, had different ideas. Led by former Philly castoff Darryl Dawkins, sixth-seeded New Jersey out-hustled and outplayed the Sixers in the first two games in Philly, taking a stunning 2-0 series lead. After the Sixers recovered to win games three and four in New Jersey, it seemed like the ship was righted and status quo would be resolved in game five. Instead New Jersey, buoyed by 17 points and 16 rebounds from Buck Williams, won game five and took the series. It was New Jersey's first NBA playoff game win in franchise history, let alone their first playoff series victory. The Nets once again stole game one on the road in their second round matchup against the highly-favored Bucks, but eventually lost the series in six. It would take 18 years for them to win another playoff series.
3) Warriors over Mavericks, 2007
After instituting a 16-team playoff system with best-of-five first round series in 1984, the NBA kept that intact until 2003, when first round series were expanded to best-of-seven. The thought process was that longer series would ensure the better team advancing in most cases, and it did initially create a drought of first round upsets. That changed in 2007, with what was arguably the most notable NBA playoff upset in any round of this century. Dallas won a franchise record 67 games in '06-'07, coming off their first NBA Finals appearance in '05-'06. Even in a stacked West, soon-to-be-named MVP Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavericks were considered a favorite to repeat as conference champions. Meanwhile, Golden State snuck into the playoffs as an eight seed for their first postseason appearance in 13 years. They had recently re-hired the last coach that led them to a playoff series win back in 1991, Don Nelson. Their roster had an Island of Misfit Toys feel, featuring veteran throwaways like Baron Davis, Stephen Jackson, Mike Dunleavy, and Al Harrington, but for this one series Nelson deployed them to perfection. Davis and Jackson especially went off, both looking nearly unstoppable at times as Nelson's high octane offense exposed Dallas' weaknesses on defense. Then there was the raucous Oakland crowds, imploring their home team to return to some semblance of winning ways. After losing game one in Dallas and swinging the home court advantage, the Mavericks stood no chance, losing all three games they played in Oakland as the Warriors took the series 4-2. Golden State struggled to keep momentum in round two, and their own defensive deficiencies led to their downfall in a five-game series loss to Utah. Other top seeds had lost in the first round before, but this was different, as the Mavericks had a full seven-game buffer to prove their dominance and couldn't pull it off. Nowitzki would receive his MVP trophy in embarrassing fashion, being handed the award during halftime of a second round series in which he wasn't participating. It would stand as a lasting image of Dirk's playoff failures until he finally led Dallas to a title in 2011.
4) Hawks over Pacers, 1996
Indiana knew coming in that this series would be anything but easy. After reaching game seven of the Conference Finals only to fall just short in 1994 and 1995, the Pacers' title chances for '95-'96 took a huge blow when Reggie Miller fractured his eye socket in their penultimate regular season game and was declared unavailable for at least the first round. Even without their star this was a good Pacers team, anchored by veterans Mark Jackson, Dale Davis, Rik Smits, and Derrick McKey. Their opponents were the sixth-seeded Hawks, who also knew a thing or two about playing without their superstar, having recently lost Dominique Wilkins to free agency. After the Hawks pulled away for a stunning win in game one of the series in Indiana, thanks to 27 points from Steve Smith, the Pacers managed to steal game four in Atlanta to stretch the series to the full five. Sensing an opportunity to rally his troops to the second round, Miller returned for game five despite his recent eye surgery. He played valiantly, finishing with 29 points - including 16 in the fourth quarter - but his three-point attempt at the buzzer clanged off the rim, and the Hawks came away with an 89-87 victory to advance. Atlanta bowed out meekly in the second round against Orlando, and Indiana eventually did reach the NBA Finals with Miller in 2000.
5) Grizzlies over Spurs, 2011
This victory doesn't seem so shocking in retrospect, as the Grizzlies swiftly joined the Western Conference's list of contenders for the next few seasons, but it's difficult to overstate just how unlikely this upset was at the time. Heading into the playoffs the consensus was that the top two West seeds, the Spurs and Lakers, were the only teams good enough to represent the conference in the NBA Finals. The Mavericks appeared too old, the Thunder too young, and the Grizzlies were an afterthought, a team happy just to be back in the postseason after several years of cellar dwelling. For the Spurs, this conventional wisdom was a welcome change of pace. After a first round loss to Dallas in 2009, followed by a sweep at the hands of Phoenix in the 2010 second round, San Antonio was desperate to shake off talk of the Tim Duncan-Gregg Popovich title window slamming shut. Instead they ran into a hungry, underrated Grizzlies team that dominated the series from the jump. Memphis won game one in San Antonio behind commanding performances from Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, which set the tone for the series. It was a stunning way for the Grizzlies to win their first playoff game in franchise history (they had reached the playoffs three times before, and were swept each time), and when they finished it at home in game six, it closed off their first ever series win. The Grizzlies battled the young upstart Thunder in the second round and almost became the first #8 seed to reach the Western Conference Finals before losing in seven games.
6) Nuggets over Sonics, 1994
For many fans, especially those that came of age watching the '90s NBA, this is the essence of a first round playoff upset. It helps that it culminated with an indelible image, that of Nuggets star center Dikembe Mutombo laying on the ground clutching a basketball, simultaneously laughing and crying after the series ended. There's also the added gravitas based on the scarcity of postseason success for the Nuggets. They're one of the few franchises for whom a first round series win is arguably the greatest moment in team history. Throw in also that the Sonics, led by Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp, were young, brash, and an easy target for Schadenfreude. Coached by playing legend Dan Issel, the Nuggets had all the appearances of a young team on the brink in '93-'94, returning to the playoffs for the first time in five years behind their cornerstone Mutombo, plus upstarts Bryant Stith, Laphonso Ellis, and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. After Seattle took a 2-0 series lead at home, Denver stormed back to win the next two and force a decisive game five. The Sonics were an incredible 37-4 on their home court during that regular season, but the Nuggets managed to slow down a hobbled Gary Payton (playing with a tweaked ankle) and maintain a glacial pace on both sides of the floor. Denver came away with the 98-94 victory in overtime, and for the first time in NBA history, a #8 seed had defeated a #1 seed.
7) Knicks over Heat, 1998
8) Knicks over Heat, 1999
If you weren't following the NBA in the late '90s, you'd be surprised how ho hum it was to watch the Knicks upset the Heat in back-to-back playoffs in 1998 and 1999, first as a seven-seed and then as an eight-seed. No matter who was on the roster and no matter where they stood in the standings, Heat-Knicks series always came down the wire back then, and could always go either way. Much of that was due their equally physical styles of play, as neither team was afraid to win games by keeping the final score in the 80s (or even in the 70s). Few would argue that their matchups were exciting, but they certainly were remarkable, as no team before or since has ever lost consecutive playoff series as a top two seed. Miami and New York had met previously in the second round in 1997, with the Heat prevailing in seven games after several Knicks players were suspended during the series. This left New York still smarting heading into the 1998 playoffs, and they turned their first round rematch with the Heat into a dogfight. This became almost literal at times, especially during a game four brawl between New York's Larry Johnson and Miami's Alonzo Mourning that ended with Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy clinging to Mourning's legs like a helpless koala. Both Mourning and Johnson were banned for game five, and this time it was the Knicks taking advantage of a suspension, easily winning thanks to 30 points from Allan Houston. Stakes were even higher in the 1999 series as Michael Jordan's retirement left the Eastern Conference seemingly wide open. After the teams traded wins in the first four contests, game five ended with a final score that only a sadist could love but did feature a thrilling finish, as Houston hit a last-second runner to give the Knicks a 78-77 victory. Despite Ewing battling an Achilles tendon injury, New York defeated Atlanta and Indiana in subsequent series to become the first team in NBA history to reach the Finals as an eighth seed.
9) 76ers over Bulls, 2012
Every underdog needs a little bit of luck to go their way, and Philadelphia got a huge dose of bittersweet fortune in game one of this first round series when Bulls star Derrick Rose tore his ACL. It was a demoralizing blow for a Chicago team that had secured the top seed for the second consecutive year, and were considered the only Eastern Conference squad with even a chance at stopping LeBron James and the Heat. Things somehow got even worse for the Bulls in game three, when Joakim Noah injured his foot and was ruled out indefinitely. Falling behind 3-1 in the series and missing their two best players, the shell-shocked Bulls valiantly put on a defensive clinic in game five, winning 77-69 at home. They almost stole game six in Philadelphia as well, but a pair of missed free throws by Omer Asik were followed by game-winning free throws from Andre Iguodala to put the series away. The Sixers became just the fifth #8 seed in NBA history to advance past the first round, and the last, as of this publishing. Rather than bowing out meekly against the Celtics in the second round, Philadelphia instead revived the old rivalry, pushing Boston to seven games before getting eliminated. They then lost Iguodala to free agency that summer, kicking off the rebuilding "Process" that finally culminated in another playoff series win six years later. Rose missed the entire '12-'13 season due to the injury, and has never fully recovered his MVP-level game since.
10) Warriors over Jazz, 1989
11) Warriors over Spurs, 1991
12) Warriors over Nuggets, 2013
You wouldn't think it now as they've become one of the greatest juggernauts in league history, but the Warriors were once the patron saints of first round upsets. In a 35-year stretch from 1978 (their last season with Rick Barry) to 2013 (Stephen Curry's breakout year), Golden State made the playoffs only seven times but pulled off five first round upsets. The first instance wasn't much of a shocker, as the fifth-seeded Warriors took out the fourth-seeded Jazz in 1987, but when the two teams matched up again in the first round two years later, few gave the Warriors a chance. They had lost six straight to close out the season as the West's seven seed, including a 111-95 loss to Utah in the regular season finale. The playoffs were a different story, as Chris Mullin led the way with 32.7 points per game and the Warriors dominated Karl Malone and the Jazz in a three-game sweep. In 1991, at the height (and unfortunately premature end) of Run-T.M.C. mania, Golden State was back in the postseason as a seven seed and this time stunned the Spurs. Mullin, Tim Hardaway, and Mitch Richmond all averaged over 22 points per game in the four game series victory, but after the Warriors fell in the second round to the Lakers, Richmond was soon traded to Sacramento and the franchise floundered for many years. They wouldn't win another playoff series until 2007 (see #3 above) and had to wait another six years after that to find postseason victory again. The '12-'13 Warriors were similar in many ways to their early '90s predecessors, an exciting young team full of dynamic shooters and colorful role players, and they kicked off their recent run of success with a first round upset over the Nuggets as a sixth seed. As opposed to the Run-T.M.C. days, things turned out very differently for this Warriors squad, who soon won three titles and counting.
13) Sonics over Mavericks, 1987
If queried, many longtime Sonics fans would pick this team as their all-time favorite, even more so than the '78-'79 team that won the championship, and the '95-'96 team that reached the NBA Finals behind Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton. That's because the '86-'87 Sonics had maybe the greatest Cinderella run in NBA playoffs history, and they were carried through it by an eclectic group of likable, young players. Led by the high-scoring Tom Chambers, the paint enforcer Xavier "X-Man" McDaniel, the deadly shooter Dale Ellis, and rookie floor general Nate McMillan, Seattle seemed prime to bounce back from consecutive 50-loss seasons in '86-'87. But they struggled for long stretches of the regular season, especially as McMillan experienced growing pains while learning on the job, and snuck into the playoffs as the #7 seed. Their first round opponent was the Mavericks, led by Mark Aguirre and considered to be easily the league's third best team after Boston and Los Angeles. Sure enough, Aguirre led the way with 28 points, one of nine Dallas players to score in double figures, as the Mavericks blew the Sonics off the floor in game one, 151-129. But things turned around quickly from there, as Aguirre struggled after contracting strep throat, and Ellis, whom the Mavs had previously buried on their depth chart for three years, came alive, averaging 32.0 points and 9.7 rebounds per game over the next three contests as Seattle won the series, 3-1. The Sonics became the only team in NBA history to finish the regular season with a losing record but win a playoff series that was best-of-five or greater. They followed that up with a thrilling six-game upset of the Rockets, who were coming off a NBA Finals appearance the previous season, before falling to the Lakers in a Conference Finals sweep. Though Chambers was soon traded to the Suns, Ellis, McMillan, and McDaniel led the Sonics back to the 1989 Conference Finals, but after getting swept again by the Lakers the team was broken up to rebuild around Kemp and Payton.
14) Rockets over Lakers, 1981
15) Kings over Trail Blazers, 1981
You can make a solid argument now for several playoff series on this page as the biggest of all the upsets, but for the first 15 or so years after the NBA expanded its playoff field in 1978, Rockets over Lakers in 1981 was the definitive answer. But when you examine the series in closer detail, it's really not as surprising of a result as you think. The '80-'81 Lakers were certainly not the same team that won the title in the prior season. Magic Johnson missed the majority of the regular season with a knee injury, and when he did play he was openly feuding about the offensive philosophy with utilitarian coach Paul Westhead. Johnson appeared to be out of shape and out of sorts after returning for the regular season stretch run, as the third-seeded Lakers took on the Rockets in a first round series. The aging but still speedy Calvin Murphy was able to blow by a flat-footed Johnson for much of the series, while Houston's Moses Malone announced himself as the league's best center by outplaying his counterpart, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The teams split the first two games and the deciding game three in Los Angeles came down to the final seconds, when Johnson air-balled a three-pointer (finishing off a 2-of-14 shooting performance) that could have sent the game to overtime, and the Rockets prevailed in a shocker. Westhead was fired early in the '81-'82 season and replaced by Pat Riley, who proceeded to lead the Lakers to four more titles over the next seven years. The Rockets upset George Gervin and the Spurs in the second round, setting up a Conference Finals matchup with an equally unexpected opponent.
The Kings were 17 years removed from their last playoff series win heading into the 1981 postseason. But bolstered by legendary coach Cotton Fitzsimmons and young stars Otis Birdsong and Scott Wedman, they were making their third straight playoff appearance, nabbing the #5 seed despite a losing record. Their first round series against Portland was a tight affair, with unsung hero Reggie King exploding for 28 points and 15 rebounds in the deciding game three. They followed it up with a thrilling seven-game series victory over the Suns in the second round but getting swept by the Rockets in the Conference Finals. The future still seemed bright for the Kings, who were enjoying their first run of sustained success since moving to Kansas City in 1972, but this didn't translate into enough financial success for the owners, who quickly traded away all their best players, including Birdsong to the Nets and Wedman to the Cavaliers, setting the stage for a 1985 relocation to Sacramento. The 1981 Western Conference Finals were similarly distressing financially for the NBA league office, especially compared to the TV ratings bonanza in the East between Boston and Philadelphia, and they set plans in motion to expand the first round series to five games to avoid such havoc-wreaking upsets.