Some of the biggest thrills in basketball come from the moments no one saw coming.
From postseason stunners to regular-season surprises that shifted momentum, underdog wins have shaped the sport in unforgettable ways. Fans remember these games not just for the score, but for the grit, chaos, and pure disbelief that unfolded.
They remind us why basketball stays unpredictable, even in an era of advanced scouting and analytics. These matchups prove that rankings, records, and odds don’t always tell the full story.
Let’s take a closer look.
1994: The Nuggets become the first No. 8 seed to upset a No. 1
The Denver Nuggets’ shocking win over the Seattle SuperSonics rewrote playoff expectations.
Denver entered the series as a young, inconsistent team facing a 63-win Seattle squad built around Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp. The Sonics jumped ahead 2–0 in the best-of-five first round, and it looked like the matchup would end quickly.
But Denver came alive, winning three straight behind Dikembe Mutombo’s dominant interior presence. Mutombo sealed the series with a game-saving defensive performance in Game 5, finishing with eight blocks and the iconic moment of him lying on the floor clutching the ball in celebration.
2007: “We Believe” Warriors stun the 67-win Mavericks
Golden State’s first-round victory over Dallas remains one of the NBA’s most beloved upsets.
The Mavericks entered the postseason as the league’s best team, led by MVP Dirk Nowitzki and a deep, disciplined roster. But the Warriors, who barely secured the No. 8 seed, had beaten Dallas in all three regular-season meetings.
Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson fueled a blistering offensive pace, using speed and versatility to disrupt Dallas’ system. Golden State took the series in six games, becoming the first No. 8 seed to beat a 67-win opponent and sparking one of the league’s most memorable fan movements.
2011: Memphis outmuscles the top-seeded Spurs
The Grizzlies’ toughness turned a seemingly lopsided series into a franchise-defining moment.
Memphis had never won a playoff game before this matchup with San Antonio, a team stacked with experience and elite coaching. The Grizzlies leaned heavily on Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol, using size and physicality to slow the Spurs’ rhythm.
Randolph’s late-game shot-making in Game 6 sealed one of the NBA’s most stunning first-round finishes. The win didn’t just shock the basketball world; it kicked off a new era of “Grit and Grind” that defined the Grizzlies for years.
2016: Syracuse’s improbable Final Four run
Syracuse entered March Madness as a No. 10 seed and became the tournament’s wild card.
Many analysts questioned the Orange’s inclusion in the bracket, but their zone defense proved disruptive from the opening round. Key performances from Malachi Richardson and Michael Gbinije kept them alive in tight moments.
The biggest shock came in the Elite Eight, where Syracuse erased a 16-point deficit to beat No. 1 seed Virginia. It remains one of the most unexpected Final Four appearances in modern NCAA history.
2012: Lehigh knocks out Duke in a March Madness classic
Lehigh’s first-round win over Duke stands as one of the tournament’s greatest upsets.
Duke entered as a No. 2 seed with a seasoned roster and high expectations. Lehigh, led by future NBA guard C.J. McCollum, embraced an aggressive approach from the start, pushing the pace and attacking mismatches.
McCollum finished with 30 points in a performance that instantly became part of NCAA lore. The win marked only the sixth time a No. 15 seed had beaten a No. 2, and it shook the college basketball world from coast to coast.
2010: Northern Iowa shocks top-seeded Kansas
Kansas came into the tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, but Northern Iowa refused to play scared.
Behind Ali Farokhmanesh’s clutch shooting, the Panthers kept the Jayhawks uncomfortable with disciplined defense and patient offense. Kansas struggled to find consistency in the half-court against UNI’s set plays.
Farokhmanesh’s deep three in the final minute, taken early in the shot clock, became the defining moment of the upset. The bold shot helped lock in a 69–67 win and remains one of March Madness’s most replayed highlights.
1985: Villanova’s near-perfect game stuns Georgetown
Villanova’s championship victory over heavily favored Georgetown remains one of college basketball’s greatest surprises.
Georgetown, led by Patrick Ewing, was widely expected to repeat as national champions. Villanova, a No. 8 seed, entered the title game knowing it would take a flawless effort to win.
The Wildcats shot an unheard-of 78.6% from the field, executing a disciplined game plan that kept Georgetown off balance. Their 66–64 victory remains a legendary example of precision, patience, and belief.
1991: Richmond becomes the first No. 15 seed to win an NCAA game
Richmond’s victory over Syracuse changed what fans believed was possible for lower-seeded teams.
The Spiders used a mix of ball pressure and selective fast breaks to rattle a deeper, more athletic Syracuse squad. They controlled the pace, preventing Syracuse from getting into its preferred rhythm.
Richmond’s balance and composure down the stretch pushed them to a 73–69 win. The upset opened the door for future No. 15 seeds to believe, and several have replicated the feat since.
2018: UMBC rewrites history by beating No. 1 Virginia
UMBC delivered the biggest upset in March Madness history by defeating Virginia.
No. 16 seeds were 0–135 all-time before UMBC took the floor against the Cavaliers. Virginia’s defense was among the nation’s best, but the Retrievers attacked with confidence and relentless pace.
UMBC pulled away in the second half behind Jairus Lyles’ 28-point performance and sharp three-point shooting. The 74–54 win immediately became one of the most iconic results in college athletics.
2004: Detroit Pistons shut down the superstar-loaded Lakers
Detroit’s NBA Finals victory shocked a league convinced the Lakers were unbeatable.
Los Angeles entered the Finals with a roster headlined by Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton. Detroit, a defensive-minded group without a traditional superstar, relied on teamwork and execution.
Chauncey Billups’ leadership and Ben Wallace’s interior dominance slowed the Lakers’ offense to a crawl. The Pistons won the series 4–1, cementing their place as one of the biggest underdog champions in NBA history.
2019: The Raptors stun the Warriors in their dynasty era
Toronto’s first championship came against a Golden State team many believed couldn’t be dethroned.
The Warriors were aiming for a three-peat, but injuries to Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson drastically changed the series. Even so, Golden State still had Stephen Curry and championship experience.
Kawhi Leonard’s two-way brilliance kept Toronto steady in crucial moments, while key role players like Fred VanVleet delivered timely shots. The Raptors closed out the series in six games, completing one of the most unexpected title runs of the decade.
TL;DR
- Underdog wins across the NBA and NCAA have created some of basketball’s most iconic moments.
- Historic upsets include the 1994 Nuggets, 2007 Warriors, and 2011 Grizzlies.
- College basketball delivered classics like UMBC over Virginia and Lehigh over Duke.
- These games highlight grit, execution, and belief—no matter the odds.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
