Has Lebron James ever come back from a 0-2 in the playoffs? (2024)

Currently, the Los Angeles Lakers are trailing 2-0 to Denver in their Western Conference final series. However, it’s worth noting that the “Lakeshow” has previously overcome a 0-2 deficit in the NBA playoffs not once but twice.

The first instance was in the 1969 NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. After losing the first two games, the Lakers won the next three games and eventually claimed the championship in a thrilling seven-game series. The second comeback from 0-2 occurred in the 2004 Western Conference Semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs. Despite losing the first two games, the Lakers managed to rally back and win the next four games in a row, securing their spot in the conference finals.

But their star player, Lebron James, has significantly more experience in these situations. During his illustrious career, he trailed two games in the NBA playoffs on eight occasions and has a 3-5 record.

LeBron’s fair share of down 0-2 series

Victories

The most famous 0-2 comeback was in 2016 when Lebron and his Cavs, after losing the first two games and falling behind 1-3 against the Warriors, the Cavaliers won the next three games to secure the NBA title. This was the first time in NBA history that a team had come back from a 1-3 deficit in the NBA Finals.

In the 2007 NBA playoffs, the Cleveland Cavaliers faced the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, and the series went to six games, with the Cavaliers eventually prevailing and advancing to the NBA Finals. In that series, the Cavaliers were down 0-2 after losing the first two games on the road. However, they made a remarkable comeback and won the next four games, securing the series 4-2.

The 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals had the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics battling it in a seven-game series. The Cavaliers won Game 7, thanks to LeBron James’ 35 points, and secured their fourth consecutive trip to the NBA Finals.

Losses

In 2006 and 2008, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers reached the Eastern Conference Semifinals, only to face defeat at the hands of the Detroit Pistons and the Boston Celtics in exciting seven-game series.

2007 and 2018 saw LeBron’s team advance to the grand stage of the NBA Finals. However, their championship aspirations were dashed as the dominant San Antonio Spurs and the Warriors swept them in a four-game series.

Finally, in 2017, LeBron guided the Cavaliers to the NBA Finals, yet they fell short against the relentless Golden State Warriors in a five-game series.