The New York Knicks shocked the world by completing the largest comeback in NBA Finals history, erasing a 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs. While it was the largest in Finals history, they tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the second-largest comeback in NBA playoff history, which the Thunder did against the Memphis Grizzlies last year. The Grizzlies’ playoff collapse against the Oklahoma City Thunder was one of the defining moments of last postseason.
With them transitioning to a rebuild this offseason, the Grizzlies’ playoff collapse in Game 3 of their first-round series was likely the precursor for what has transpired since. While the Knicks celebrated one of their greatest victories in franchise history, the comeback also served as a painful reminder of what Memphis fans had to endure.
Knicks Revive Grizzlies Playoff Collapse Nobody Wanted to Remember
Why the Grizzlies’ Collapse Still Matters Today
Similar to the Spurs, the Grizzlies’ playoff collapse occurred when Memphis appeared positioned to make the series competitive. Trailing 2-0 following two blowout losses, the Grizzlies had built a commanding lead and looked poised to seize momentum before Oklahoma City stormed back. What followed was one of the most devastating losses in franchise postseason history.
While the Spurs’ collapse will sting more, considering theirs occurred on the biggest stage, the Grizzlies had to admit their core wasn’t a contender. The Spurs surprised many this season by making it to the NBA Finals with their young core, and they possibly have the best player in the league in Victor Wembanyama, who is only 22 years old.
As the Grizzlies attempt to build their next contender, maintaining composure during playoff adversity will become a critical focus. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies have had two eras that made playoff history with large blown leads. Memphis’ most fond era, Grit ‘n’ Grind, surrendered a 27-point lead against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 1 of their 2012 first-round playoff series.
The recent Grizzlies playoff collapse also highlighted the importance of roster construction. They lacked multiple creators and reliable veterans to survive once the momentum swung in the Thunder’s favor. That reality will shape how the Grizzlies approach the future.
That Painful Memory Could Still Provide Valuable Lessons
Being on the wrong end of two of the five largest blown leads in the playoffs isn’t fun. However, the Grizzlies have proven they can rebound from it. When the Grit ‘n’ Grind Grizzlies blew their lead, they bounced back to take that series to seven games. They also proceeded to make their first-ever Western Conference Finals appearance the following season.
While no Memphis fan enjoys revisiting the Grizzlies’ playoff collapse, there is value in understanding what it revealed. With the changing landscape of the hard cap making it tougher for teams to stay together with multiple max salaries, the Grizzlies decided their recent core couldn’t complete what the Grit ‘n’ Grind era did.
Championship contenders frequently learn difficult lessons before achieving meaningful success. Hindsight has proven the current Grizzlies’ front office correct in them transitioning to a rebuild. They were swept by the eventual NBA champions and decided their current iteration couldn’t compete with that.
The Spurs arrived this season as another potential juggernaut by defeating the same Oklahoma City Thunder team that forced Memphis into a rebuild. Many great teams experienced heartbreaking playoff defeats before eventually breaking through, which helps the Spurs. However, each team has different lessons, and the Grizzlies’ lesson was that something had to change.
The Next Era Can’t Add to the Wrong Side of History
The Grizzlies’ current roster features promising young talent and upcoming draft positioning to compete again fairly quickly. Those assets provide hope that the next era can be stronger than the previous one, and the Knicks’ historic comeback may reinforce that lesson.
What the Knicks accomplished demonstrated the resilience required to compete for championships. Unfortunately for Memphis, its accomplishment set a reminder of a record the franchise would rather not share.
The Grizzlies’ playoff collapse last season began the closure of a chapter on an era that had promise, but had reached its peak. The hope for Memphis is that the memory doesn’t become repeated or extend to breaking their own record. When the Grizzlies make their next playoff run, perhaps this painful chapter will ultimately help shape a brighter future.
© Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
