In the NBA, the Finals are where legends are made—but sometimes, legends are broken. Throughout the league’s history, a handful of underdogs have risen to the occasion, defeating heavily favored opponents in stunning fashion. These upsets often redefine narratives, shake up dynasties, and leave fans in awe for decades.

Here are the Top 5 Upsets in NBA Finals History, ranked by the combination of pre-series expectations, talent disparity, and historical significance.

1. 1975 – Golden State Warriors vs. Washington Bullets

• Result: Warriors sweep 4–0

• Why It Was an Upset: The Bullets had 60 wins, the Warriors just 48. Nobody saw this coming. Rick Barry led a ragtag group of role players—no other Warrior averaged over 11 PPG in the Finals.

Golden State didn’t just win—they swept. Barry averaged 29.5 points, and coach Al Attles’s game plans frustrated Washington at every turn.

1975 NBA finals game 4 Wahington Bullets-Golden State Warriors

2. 2019 – Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors

• Result: Raptors win 4–2

• Why It Was an Upset: Even without Kevin Durant fully healthy, the Warriors still had Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and were chasing a three-peat. The Raptors had never even reached the Finals.

Kawhi Leonard delivered one of the greatest playoff runs ever. Key injuries helped, but Toronto’s poise and two-way dominance—especially from role players like Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam—were stunning.

2019 NBA Finals: Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors (Full Series Highlights)

3. 2004 – Detroit Pistons def. Los Angeles Lakers (4–1)

Why It Was an Upset: The 2004 Lakers were billed as a super team for the ages. With Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton, most analysts predicted a swift victory—some even forecasted a sweep.

But the Detroit Pistons, a blue-collar squad built on defense and chemistry, had other plans. Led by Chauncey Billups, Ben Wallace, and head coach Larry Brown, the Pistons dismantled L.A.’s iso-heavy offense. They held the Lakers under 90 points in all but one game.

Key Factors:

• Pistons’ suffocating team defense.

• Billups’ Finals MVP performance.

• Internal discord between Shaq and Kobe.

Legacy Impact: The loss marked the end of the Lakers dynasty. Shaq was traded the following summer, and Malone and Payton never won titles in L.A.

Los Angeles Lakers VS Detroit Pistons / NBA Finals 2004 (GAME 5)

4. 1977 – Portland Trail Blazers def. Philadelphia 76ers (4–2)

Why It Was an Upset: The 76ers were a star-studded team featuring Julius Erving, George McGinnis, and Doug Collins. The Blazers, making their first-ever playoff appearance, were not expected to compete with such firepower.

After falling behind 0–2, Portland—powered by Bill Walton—stormed back with four straight wins. Walton’s Finals MVP performance (18.5 points, 19 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.7 blocks) was a tour de force.

Key Factors:

• Bill Walton’s dominance on both ends.

• Coach Jack Ramsay’s ball movement offense.

• Sixers’ chemistry issues and overreliance on iso play.

Legacy Impact: Portland’s championship was a triumph of team basketball over superstar collection and marked the peak of Walton’s brief but brilliant career.

1977 NBA Finals Game 6 Philadelphia 76ers at Portland Trail Blazers, June 5, 1977

5. 1969 – Boston Celtics def. Los Angeles Lakers (4–3)

Why It Was an Upset: The Celtics were aging and had just squeaked into the playoffs as the 4th seed in the East. The Lakers had an MVP-caliber Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, and Elgin Baylor. On paper, Boston’s run should’ve ended long before the Finals.

Yet, the Celtics—led by player-coach Bill Russell—pulled off a gritty, improbable victory. West, who averaged 37.9 points per game, became the only player in history to win Finals MVP from the losing team.

Key Factors:

• Boston’s veteran savvy and defensive tenacity.

• Russell’s leadership in his final NBA game.

• Lakers’ Game 7 blunders and controversial coaching decisions.

Legacy Impact: It was the 11th title for Russell, cementing Boston’s dynasty. For the Lakers, it was another bitter defeat in a rivalry that haunted them for decades.

1969 NBA Finals Gm. 7 Celtics vs. Lakers (4th Quarter)

Honorable Mentions

2011 – Dallas Mavericks def. Miami Heat (4–2)

Why It Was an Upset: The newly formed Miami Heat “Big Three”—LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh—were seen as inevitable champions. Dallas, anchored by a 32-year-old Dirk Nowitzki, was largely counted out by pundits.

Yet, the Mavericks executed a masterclass in team basketball. Nowitzki was unguardable in crunch time, and role players like Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, and Tyson Chandler stepped up. Meanwhile, LeBron’s underwhelming performance became a defining narrative.

Key Factors:

• Dirk’s clutch scoring and Finals MVP run.

• Dallas’s zone defense neutralizing LeBron.

• Veteran leadership and cohesion.

Legacy Impact: Dirk silenced critics and cemented his legacy as an all-time great. The loss forced LeBron to reassess his approach, fueling his future dominance.

2011 NBA Finals: Mavericks vs. Heat in 13 minutes | NBA Highlights

1978 – Washington Bullets def. Seattle SuperSonics (4–3)

Why It Was an Upset: The SuperSonics were young, athletic, and had stormed to the Finals behind Dennis Johnson and Jack Sikma. Washington, led by veterans like Wes Unseld, Elvin Hayes, and Bob Dandridge, had a rocky regular season and entered as underdogs.

The series was a slugfest, but Washington’s experience prevailed. Unseld’s leadership and rebounding (earning him Finals MVP) were pivotal.

Key Factors:

• Bullets’ veteran poise in Game 7 on the road.

• Defensive pressure on DJ, who shot poorly.

• Contributions from role players like Charles Johnson.

Legacy Impact: This remains Washington’s only NBA championship and one of the few Finals won by a road team in Game 7.

1978 NBA Finals Game 1: Washington Bullets at Seattle SuperSonics, May 21, 1978

Conclusion

NBA history is filled with dominant champions, but it’s the upsets that create the most unforgettable drama. These series didn’t just produce unexpected results—they rewrote legacies, altered franchises, and reminded us why the games are played on the court, not on paper.

Which of these upsets do you think was the most shocking? Or is there one you’d add to the list?

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