The Golden State Warriors, to save their historic season, must do something no Western Conference team has ever done in the conference finals: overcome a 3-1 series deficit.
The 73-win Warriors are on the brink of elimination after a 24-point Game 4 loss in Game 4 of their conference finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
As you might imagine, history isn’t on Golden State’s side.
After a 118-94 loss Tuesday, the Warriors now trail the Thunder 3-1. Teams to trail 3-1 have a 9-223 series record pic.twitter.com/ziqJPTDNeK
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 25, 2016
Only three teams have ever won a conference finals series after trailing 3-1, but all three have happened in the East.
- 1968: Celtics defeat 76ers
- 1979: Bullets (now Wizards) defeat Spurs
- 1981: Celtics defeat 76ers
The Warriors will be home for two of the final three games, including Game 5 at Oracle Arena on Thursday night, but a stunning comeback doesn’t seem probable given the way OKC guard Russell Westbrook is playing (tripe double in Game 4), in addition to Golden State guard Steph Curry’s injury.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images
