A history of 3-1 comebacks in NBA playoffs and how 76ers, Pistons just joined it

LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t author the first 3-1 series comeback in NBA playoff history. That was Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics in the 1968 Eastern Division Finals against Wilt Chamberlain and the Philadelphia 76ers.James’ famous block of the Golden State Warriors’ Andre Iguodala in 2016 did help secure the first 3-1 comeback in the NBA Finals, in addition to another piece of history: It was the second such comeback in the playoffs that year, marking the first time one NBA postseason saw two teams rally from down 3-1.The 2026 NBA playoffs have already become the third — after just one round of play.Advertisement