Biggest comebacks in NBA history: LeBron James, 76ers erase 29-point deficit to top Cavs image
Few would blame the 76ers for being a bit sluggish after a road win over the Knicks on New York's banner night on Tuesday, but they refused to roll over against the Cavaliers on Thursday.
After a dismal start led to a 29-point hole for Philadelphia, the new-look Sixers chipped away at the deficit throughout the second half and completed what could go down as the NBA's biggest comeback all season with a 114-106 win.
Where does it rank among the biggest comebacks in NBA history? Here's what you need to know.
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Biggest comebacks in NBA regular season history
The 76ers' comeback is tied for the 13th-largest in NBA history between the regular season and playoffs, tying a handful of comebacks including the Knicks' 29-point NBA Finals comeback against the Spurs.
Date Team Comeback Opponent
Nov. 27, 1996 Jazz 36 Nuggets
Jan. 25, 2022 Clippers 35 Wizards
Dec. 21, 2009 Kings 35 Bulls
April 30, 2021 Celtics 32 Spurs
Feb. 4, 1998 Jazz 31 Bulls
Nov. 27, 1975 Warriors 31 Bucks
April 15, 2019* Clippers 31 Warriors
Dec. 6, 2002 Lakers 30 Mavericks
April 10, 2019 Trail Blazers 30 Kings
Dec. 22, 2019 Raptors 30 Mavericks
March 25, 2024 Hawks 30 Celtics
March 25, 1988 76ers 30 Celtics
* — Playoffs
For the 76ers, it's their largest comeback of the play-by-play era (since 1997-98) and largest overall since March 25, 1988, when the team overcame a 30-point deficit against the Celtics. The Cavaliers had never blown such a large lead before Thursday's meltdown.
Thursday's win is also the biggest comeback victory of LeBron James' career.
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Highlights from 76ers comeback
A 33-11 run got the Sixers back in the game:
PHILLY IS ON A 33-11 RUN 💨 After trailing by as many as 29 points, Tyrese Maxey (20 PTS) cuts the deficit to 7! https://t.co/L65VKNDiKx
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2026
Here's the moment the 76ers took their first lead:
JOEL EMBIID GIVES PHILLY THEIR FIRST LEAD OF THE GAME IN Q4! THEY TRAILED BY AS MANY AS 29 POINTS 🤯 https://t.co/nwK8qCxHhe
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2026
THE SIXERS ARE ON A 13-0 RUN IN Q4 💨 AFTER TRAILING BY AS MANY AS 29 POINTS, PHILLY NOW LEADS BY 7 WITH LESS THAN 5 MINUTES TO PLAY! https://t.co/9S8bl0BKeh
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2026
This was the moment the 76ers finished the job:
THE SIXERS ERASE A 29-POINT DEFICIT TO WIN THEIR HOME OPENER 🚨 IT'S PHILLY'S LARGEST COMEBACK OF THE PLAY-BY-PLAY ERA! https://t.co/7edGPbgZfC
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2026
Lebron James stats vs. Cavs
Here's how LeBron James performed against the Cavaliers in his first 76ers home game:
MIN: 33
PTS: 17
REB: 10
AST: 5
STL: 3
BLK: 1
FG: 5-14
FT: 6-7
3P: 1-4
TOV: 5
PF: 3
Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown all had higher-scoring games than James, but he was Philadelphia's leading rebounder and notched three steals.
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