The 2016 NBA season is widely regarded by fans and analysts alike as one of the most thrilling and unforgettable years in basketball history. It was a campaign filled with electric performances, historical milestones, and playoff storylines that have since become part of NBA folklore.
The postseason, in particular, captivated audiences around the world. It featured not just one, but two legendary comebacks from teams down 3-1 in their respective series—something incredibly rare at that level of competition.
One of the most memorable moments came when the Oklahoma City Thunder found themselves just one win away from eliminating the 73-win Golden State Warriors. With a 3-1 lead in the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder seemed poised to halt the Warriors’ dynasty before it even hit its stride. However, the tide shifted dramatically. A string of underwhelming performances from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook—marked by poor shot selection and high turnover rates—combined with a legendary Game 6 performance from Klay Thompson, who erupted for 41 points and hit 11 three-pointers, allowed the Warriors to claw their way back into the series and win it in seven games.
Golden State’s triumph, however, was short-lived. In the NBA Finals, the Warriors themselves fell victim to a similar fate, becoming the first team in Finals history to blow a 3-1 series lead. Facing off against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the stage was set for one of the greatest upsets the league had ever seen. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving took control, each dropping over 40 points in a dominant Game 5, steamrolling through Game 6, and then delivering one of the most iconic finishes in NBA history. With under a minute left in Game 7, Irving nailed a cold-blooded sidestep three over Stephen Curry to seal the deal, completing a miracle comeback and bringing Cleveland its first NBA title.
Since that legendary run, any NBA team leading or trailing 3-1 in a series immediately finds themselves under the microscope. The ghosts of 2016 come back to haunt or inspire, as fans and players alike wonder: Could it happen again?
Fast forward to today, and the Cleveland Cavaliers once again find themselves in a nearly identical position—down 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, this time to the Indiana Pacers. Despite being the No. 1 seed and notching an impressive 64 wins during the regular season, the Cavaliers have struggled to find their rhythm in the postseason. Key injuries have played a major role in their struggles, but a team that dominant during the regular season isn’t expected to fold so easily.
There is a glimmer of hope: for the first time in two weeks, the Cavs are finally returning to full strength. That alone has sparked a renewed sense of belief within the locker room and among the fan base. Owner Dan Gilbert even took to social media, offering encouragement and urging fans to stay hopeful as the team attempts to claw its way back into the series.
Still, skepticism looms. The odds are long, and the faith of outsiders is low. Adding to the tension, star guard Donovan Mitchell, who was averaging an explosive 40 points over the first three games of the series, suffered an ankle injury in Game 4. His status for the pivotal Game 5 remains uncertain. Should he suit up, the Cavaliers will need him to deliver another offensive masterclass if they are to keep their season alive.
The challenge before Cleveland is enormous. But if there’s any franchise that knows what it takes to defy the odds and rewrite history, it’s this one. All eyes are now on whether they can channel the magic of 2016 one more time—and pull off a comeback for the ages.
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