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The 2021 NBA Playoffs have been an exciting affair so far, with multiple teams staging upsets and first-time playoff performers stealing the limelight from established postseason stars. The Phoenix Suns are the only team to have confirmed their spot in the conference finals, as six other teams are still locked in semi-finals battles to determine who joins the Suns in the next round.
The postseason has seen some highly unlikely comebacks being completed as well. The 2021 NBA Playoffs have witnessed a few upsets and superstar-led teams such as the LA Lakers and Denver Nuggets have already bowed out.
5 teams that made improbable comebacks in the 2021 NBA playoffs
Complacency, injury troubles and stellar all-round displays from opponents have seen multiple teams blow commanding leads in the NBA Playoffs so far. On that note, here are the five most important comeback wins of the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
#5 LA Clippers vs Utah Jazz, Game 1
The LA Clippers led Game 1 of their 2021 NBA Playoffs Western Conference semi-finals matchup by 13 points at half-time, and it looked as if Tyronn Lue's team would steal their first game on the road. However, the LA Clippers proceeded to lose the game by 3 points, as Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz rallied to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The Jazz won the clash despite missing 20 consecutive shots in the first quarter. They also missed 33 three-point attempts, and the LA Clippers squandered an opportunity to level the score with 15.9 seconds left on the clock.
If the LA Clippers had hung on for a win in Game 1, they would currently be in their first-ever Western Conference Finals, considering they hold a 3-2 lead at the time of writing.
#4 LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks, Game 3
Already down 2-0 in the series, the LA Clippers managed to erase a 19-point deficit in Game 3 of their first-round series clash against the Dallas Mavericks. Luka Doncic and co. jumped to an early 30-11 lead in the game, playing some mesmerizing basketball on both ends of the floor.
However, the LA Clippers then took over the game, outscoring the Mavericks 107-78 before the end of regulation. The Clippers ended up winning the clash with a scoreline of 118-108, and went on to win the series in seven games in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
Also Read: 3 players unlikely to return with the Denver Nuggets for the 2021-22 NBA Season
#3 Philadelphia 76ers vs Atlanta Hawks, Game 4
The Philadelphia 76ers had a comfortable 18-point lead in the second quarter of Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals and Doc Rivers' team looked set to take a 3-1 series lead. The Atlanta Hawks looked in serious trouble until their talismanic point guard Trae Young made some brilliant plays down the stretch.
The Hawks steadily ate into the Philadelphia 76ers' lead and Young helped Atlanta go on a 7-0 run in the final quarter which eventually led to an epic comeback.
#2 Milwaukee Bucks vs Brooklyn Nets, Game 5
Playing without Kyrie Irving and with a hobbling James Harden, the Brooklyn Nets were set up for failure when they took court in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference semi-finals matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. Their problem was compounded when the Bucks raced to a 17-point lead in the second-half, minutes away from taking a pivotal 3-2 lead in the series.
But Kevin Durant had other plans as the 'Slim Reaper' proceeded to outscore the Milwaukee Bucks almost singlehandedly from that point on. Durant played all 48 minutes of the game, finishing with an all-time playoffs statline of 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists, along with 2 blocks and 3 steals.
The Nets won the game 114-108, leaving the Bucks with an uphill task and on the brink of elimination from the 2021 NBA Playoffs.
#1 Atlanta Hawks vs Philadelphia 76ers, Game 5
After managing an unexpected Game 4 win against the Philadelphia 76ers, Trae Young and the Hawks did one better by overcoming a staggering 26-point lead in Game 5. The Hawks' grit and talent has been a major talking point during the course of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. It was on full display as they left Wells Fargo Center with a 109-106 victory, stunning the home crowd in the process.
Joel Embiid's 37-point effort went in vain, as Trae Young finished with 39 points to help his team headline another comeback which is set to go down in the NBA Playoffs history books.
Also Read: 3 teams that should trade for Kemba Walker in the 2021 NBA offseason
