The Miami Heat are in the midst of one of the greatest Cinderella playoff runs in the history of the NBA. Whether they win the ultimate prize or fall short in the Finals, this run is one for the record books. The question is, where exactly do they rank among the best underdogs the league has ever seen?
The 10 Best Cinderella Playoff Runs in NBA History
Honorable Mentions
2018-19 Portland Trail Blazers
Although ending the season with the third-best record in the western conference, this Blazers team was incredibly undermanned when they made a run to the conference finals. Rookies Gary Trent Jr. and Anfernee Simons had not developed into the players they are now. This team was essentially Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum taking on all comers. Portland’s playoff run was unceremoniously ended by the Golden State Warriors in a convincing sweep.
2014-15 Cleveland Cavaliers
How does a second-seeded Cavaliers team led by LeBron James make this list? The crucial injuries to Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love made the team lean heavily on James, who was able to carry the load until the Warriors sent them home in a 4-2 finals win. Cleveland would, of course, go on to complete the greatest series comeback in NBA history the next season, but that’s a topic for another day.
True Underdogs – NBA Cinderella Playoff Runs
10. 2011-12 Philadelphia 76ers
Led by the second ‘AI’ in team history, the 76ers and Andre Iguodala upset the top-seeded Chicago Bulls. Philly was aided by an injury to Derrick Rose, who only played in one game during the series. An unseasoned Jimmy Butler watched painfully from the sidelines. However, the 76ers lost to the Boston Celtics in a hard-fought, seven-game series in the next round.
9. 2017-2018 Cleveland Cavaliers
Unlike the last iteration of the Cavaliers on this list, the 2017-18 Cavs are one of the worst teams to ever make an NBA Finals appearance. Despite having the fourth seed, this team didn’t have much going for them. They barely beat the Indiana Pacers in the first round and went on to be swept by the worst point deferential in finals history. However, they did a little sweeping of their own in the second round, taking down the Toronto Raptors, the top-seed in the east and one of the best teams that year.
8. 2010-11 Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies – San Antonio Spurs matchup in the first round of these playoffs was must-watch television. Zach Randolph led the Grizzlies to a stunning upset in game one, stealing home-court advantage right away. They would hold serve by winning games three and four at home, taking down the Surs in six. This deep Grizzlies team fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games during the second round.
7. 1993-94 Denver Nuggets
The 1993-94 are the original NBA Playoff bracket busters. This team, led by stellar point guard Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf and dominant defensive center Dikembe Mutombo, upset the top-seeded Seattle Supersonics. The Nuggets went on to lose the next round in seven games against the Utah Jazz. In those days, the first round was only five games long, which is why the next team on the list is placed ahead of this dangerous Denver team.
6. 2006-07 Golden State Warriors
We believe. Does that ring a bell? The 2006-07 Warriors are the epitome of an upset special. When asked to simply pick the greatest playoff upset of all time, many have chosen this series. Led by Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, and Stephen Jackson, this team had a ton of talented players that fought hard on the defensive end. Their attitude and charisma helped them to win over the NBA world for a few weeks when they upset the Dallas Mavericks. They couldn’t keep the momentum going, though, and lost a gentleman’s sweep in the conference semifinals.
5. 2020-21 Atlanta Hawks
Nate McMillan coached this upstart Hawks team into the playoffs, but no one really expected them to get out of the first round. Trae Young went on an insane villain arc, taking down the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks proved to be too much, but the playoff run did cement McMillan as the Hawks coach for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
4. 2019-20 Miami Heat
Some questioned the legitimacy of the NBA Bubble playoffs, but given that all four finalists returned this year, one can hope that this absurd take will be left in the past. What can’t be questioned is that hardly anyone had the Miami Heat in their finals predictions that year. Butler and the Heat outmuscled the mythical legend that was Bubble TJ Warren. They then knocked off eastern conference powerhouses Boston and Milwaukee en route to a finals letdown against the Los Angeles Lakers.
3. 1998-99 New York Knicks
The strike-shortened 50-game regular season was rough on the New York Knicks, who finished 27-23. They were fourth in the division and eighth in the conference when the playoffs started. Allan Houston, Larry Johnson, and Latrell Sprewell carried an aging Patrick Ewing through the gauntlet of the eastern conference. New York took down the Heat, Hawks, and Pacers before falling to the future Big Fundamental in five games.
2. 2022-23 Miami Heat
If the Heat are swept in the finals, this is still where they belong on this list. This team was one of the best in the east, entering the postseason last year. However, entering the bubble this time around, not many had the Heat as candidates to get out of the first round. The Bucks team they took on is one of the deepest in recent memory. Erik Spoelstra has been the difference in the run. He has outcoached his opponents nearly every game and continues to maximize the potential of a constantly injured roster. Guys like Gabe Vincent, Caleb Martin, and Haywood Highsmith embody the Heat’s ‘next man up’ mentality, and having leaders like Butler and Spoelstra gives them extreme confidence in any situation.
1. 1994-95 Houston Rockets
What better way to end a Cinderella list than with a title run? Although the Rockets had won the title the year before, this team entered the postseason as a six-seed. To date, they are the worst regular-season team in league history to win the championship. Led by Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, Houston would beat the Jazz, Suns, and Spurs on their way to the finals before sweeping the Orlando Magic, who were the top seed in the east.
This path to the playoffs couldn’t be more difficult as the Rockets beat the NBA’s four best teams (by record) in order to claim their second crown in as many years. Perhaps it is the back-to-back victories that keep this team off of other lists, but when looking at the season in a vacuum, the Houston Rockets had the best Cinderella playoff run in NBA history.
Last Word on the Miami Heat
If Miami pulls off the upset against the Denver Nuggets, will they own the top spot as the NBA’s ultimate underdog? Let us know your thoughts below!
