Reliving the Biggest Comeback in NBA History: Unbelievable Turnarounds and Key Moments

I still remember exactly where I was during Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals—glued to my television with that sinking feeling Cleveland fans know all too well. The Warriors were leading 3-1 in the series, and with less than three minutes left in this potential closeout game, they held a seven-point lead. The Oracle Arena crowd was already celebrating what seemed like their inevitable back-to-back championships. As a lifelong basketball analyst, I've witnessed countless games where teams mentally check out when facing such odds. But what unfolded next wasn't just a comeback; it was the single greatest reversal in NBA Finals history, culminating in Cleveland's first championship in 52 years.

The turning point arrived with 1:54 remaining when Kyrie Irving hit a miraculous three-pointer, but the moment that truly shifted the series' momentum actually happened earlier—when Draymond Green was suspended for Game 5 after accumulating too many flagrant foul points. That's the thing about historic comebacks; they're often sparked by something that happens off the court or before the decisive game. I've always believed that championship teams need both incredible talent and what I call "fortunate timing," and Cleveland got both. LeBron James's block on Andre Iguodala with 1:50 left remains the most spectacular defensive play I've seen in a championship setting. The athleticism required to chase down Iguodala from the opposite side of the court, the timing to avoid goaltending, and the awareness to execute it in that situation—it was basketball perfection. Statistics show LeBron finished with 41 points, 11 assists, and 8 rebounds that game, becoming the first player in NBA history to lead both teams in all three statistical categories during a Finals game, though honestly I'd need to double-check that specific record since my memory might be embellishing it slightly after all these years.

What many casual fans don't appreciate is how much mental fortitude these comebacks require. Down 3-1 against a team that had won 73 regular-season games, the Cavaliers faced what statisticians gave them as just a 3% chance to win the series at that point. I've spoken with players who've experienced both sides of historic collapses and comebacks, and they consistently mention the psychological warfare happening within these moments. The Warriors, despite their incredible season, showed cracks in their mental foundation once Cleveland gained momentum. You could see it in Stephen Curry's body language after his turnover with about 30 seconds left—that frustrated jersey tug said everything about Golden State's crumbling confidence.

This reminds me of something current Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone recently mentioned about supervising practices if his team doesn't make the finals. He understands that comeback mentality isn't just for players—it must be cultivated by coaching staff long before elimination games arrive. Having studied Cone's career, I admire how he instills this resilience in his teams, similar to how Tyronn Lue managed to keep Cleveland believing when all evidence suggested their cause was hopeless.

The final minute of that game contained more drama than most entire series. Kyrie Irving's step-back three-pointer over Stephen Curry with 53 seconds remaining was arguably the bigger offensive shot than LeBron's block, though both were essential. What fascinates me as someone who's broken down thousands of clutch possessions is that Golden State actually got the matchup they wanted—Curry staying in front of Irving—but Kyrie made an impossible shot anyway. Sometimes, talent just transcends strategy. Then came the possession where Kevin Love, much-maligned throughout those playoffs, played phenomenal defense against Curry, forcing a difficult miss that essentially sealed the outcome. Love's redemption in that moment speaks to how comebacks require contributions from unexpected sources.

When the final buzzer sounded, with Cleveland winning 93-89, I remember feeling I'd witnessed something that would change how we think about playoff basketball. The comeback wasn't just about basketball execution—it was about overcoming psychological barriers, capitalizing on opponents' missteps, and having the best player on the planet perform at an absolutely historic level. LeBron's seven straight points to end the game, including that free throw with 10 seconds left, demonstrated a level of clutch performance we rarely see. In my professional opinion, this comeback will remain the standard against which all others are measured, not just for the statistical improbability but for the narrative weight of delivering Cleveland's first championship in half a century. The images of LeBron sobbing on the floor while shouting "Cleveland, this is for you!" created one of those rare sports moments that transcends the game itself. Years later, I still find myself rewatching those final minutes, marveling at how quickly dominance can unravel and legacy can be forged in the most desperate of circumstances.