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The biggest upsets in NBA playoff history

While it’s true that a No. 1 seed has fallen to a No. 8 seed only six times in the NBA playoffs, the Bucks’ loss to the Heat doesn’t come close to topping the list of the biggest upsets in league history, especially if we delve into the numbers. After all, the Bucks’ regular season winning percentage was only 17 percentage points higher than that of the Heat, a difference that seems minor compared to some of the more dramatic upsets of yesteryear.

Consider, for example, Dirk Nowitzki‘s Dallas Mavericks. They were defeated by the “We Believe” Golden State Warriors in a series that left many stunned. Then there are the 1999 playoffs when Alonzo Mourning, Tim Hardaway, and their Miami Heat team, despite being the top seed, were ousted by the No. 8 New York Knicks in the first round.

Let’s delve deeper and explore some of the most shocking upsets in NBA history below.

1. 2007: Dallas vs. Golden State

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Winner: Golden State Warriors (42-40)
Loser: Dallas Mavericks (67-15)
Regular season difference: 30.5 percent winning percentage

2. 1994: Seattle vs. Denver

(AP Photo/Gary Stewart)

Winner: Denver Nuggets (42-40)
Loser: Seattle SuperSonics (63-19)
Regular season difference: 25.6 percent winning percentage

3. 2012: Chicago vs. Philadelphia

(Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Winner: Philadelphia 76ers (35-31)
Loser: Chicago Bulls (50-16)
Regular season difference: 22.8 percent winning percentage

4. 1959: St. Louis vs. Minneapolis

(Darryl Norenberg-USA TODAY Sports Network)

Winner: Minneapolis Lakers (33-39)
Loser: St. Louis Hawks (49-23)
Regular season difference: 22.3 percent winning percentage

5. 1976: Golden State vs. Phoenix

Rick Barry
Rick Barry

(Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports)

Winner: Phoenix Suns (42-40)
Loser: Golden State Warriors (59-23)
Regular season difference: 20.8 percent winning percentage

6. 1981: Phoenix vs. Kansas City

(AP Photo/F. Carter Smith)

Winner: Kansas City Kings (40-42)
Loser: Phoenix Suns (57-25)
Regular season difference: 20.7 percent winning percentage

7. 2016: Golden State vs. Cleveland

(Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports)

Winner: Cleveland Cavaliers (57-25)
Loser: Golden State Warriors (73-9)
Regular season difference: 19.5 percent winning percentage

7. 1987: Dallas vs. Seattle

(USA Today)

Winner: Seattle SuperSonics (39-43)
Loser: Dallas Mavericks (55-27)
Regular season difference: 19.5 percent winning percentage

9. 1995: San Antonio vs. Houston

(AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

Winner: Houston Rockets (47-35)
Loser: San Antonio Spurs (62-20)
Regular season difference: 18.3 percent winning percentage

9. 2011: San Antonio vs. Memphis

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Winner: Memphis Grizzlies (46-36)
Loser: San Antonio Spurs (61-21)
Regular season difference: 18.3 percent winning percentage

9. 1947: Washington vs. Chicago

Winner: Chicago Stags (39-22)
Loser: Washington Capitols (49-11)
Regular season difference: 18.3 percent winning percentage

12. 1981: Los Angeles vs. Houston

(AP Photo/F. Carter Smith)

Winner: Houston Rockets (40-42)
Loser: Los Angeles Lakers (54-28)
Regular season difference: 17.1 percent winning percentage

13. 2023: Milwaukee vs. Miami

Winner: Miami Heat (44-38)
Loser: Milwaukee Bucks (58-24)
Regular season difference: 17.0 percent winning percentage

14. 2020: Milwaukee vs. Miami

(Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)

Winner: Miami Heat (44-29)
Loser: Milwaukee Bucks (56-17)
Regular season difference: 16.4 percent winning percentage

15. 1950: Rochester vs. Fort Wayne

(Democrat & Chronicle via AP)

Winner: Fort Wayne Pistons (40-28)
Loser: Rochester Royals (51-17)
Regular season difference: 16.2 percent winning percentage

16. 1995: Utah vs. Houston

(AP Photo/Tim Johnson)

Winner: Houston Rockets (47-35)
Loser: Utah Jazz (60-22)
Regular season difference: 15.9 percent winning percentage

16. 1973: Milwaukee vs. Golden State

(AP Photo/File)

Winner: Golden State Warriors (47-35)
Loser: Milwaukee Bucks (60-22)
Regular season difference: 15.9 percent winning percentage

18. 1968: St. Louis vs. San Francisco

(AP Photo/Wally Fong)

Winner: San Francisco Warriors (43-39)
Loser: St. Louis Hawks (56-26)
Regular season difference: 15.9 percent winning percentage

19. 1975: Washington vs. Golden State

(AP Photo)

Winner: Golden State Warriors (48-34)
Loser: Washington Bullets (60-22)
Regular season difference: 14.7 percent winning percentage

19. 1995: Phoenix vs. Houston

(AP Photo/David Phillip)

Winner: Houston Rockets (47-35)
Loser: Phoenix Suns (59-23)
Regular season difference: 14.7 percent winning percentage

19. 1998: Miami vs. New York

(AP Photo/Victor Caivano)

Winner: New York Knicks (43-39)
Loser: Miami Heat (55-27)
Regular season difference: 14.7 percent winning percentage

Story originally appeared on HoopsHype