Top 15+ Biggest Choke Jobs in NBA History

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

The Spurs were seconds from their fifth title, up 5 points with under 30 seconds left. Then came missed free throws, Ray Allen’s iconic corner three, and a crushing overtime loss that Miami would parlay into a Game 7 victory. One of the cruelest collapses ever.

14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

Portland led the Lakers by 15 in the fourth, poised to spoil the Shaq-Kobe dynasty’s first Finals bid. Then they missed 13 straight shots, while LA surged back with alley-oops and clutch stops. The Blazers never recovered.

13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

Up 3-1 in the Bubble and loaded with Kawhi and PG-13, the Clippers were title favorites. Instead, they blew double-digit leads in Games 5, 6, and 7 as Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić humiliated them. Kawhi and PG combined for 24 points in Game 7.

12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

With the game tied in the final seconds, Malone had two free throws to take the lead. Scottie Pippen famously whispered, “The Mailman don’t deliver on Sundays.” Malone bricked both. Jordan hit the game-winner seconds later. Series turned.

11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

The Kings had the better roster, homecourt in Game 7, and momentum — but couldn’t close. They missed 14 free throws, went ice-cold in crunch time, and watched their best season evaporate in OT. A classic case of nerves on the biggest stage.

10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

Arenas had two free throws to seal Game 6 and force a Game 7. LeBron whispered something at the line. Gil bricked both. Damon Jones hit the game-winner. Wizards eliminated.

9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

The Magic led by 3 with 10 seconds left. Anderson missed four straight free throws, allowing Kenny Smith to hit a game-tying three. The Rockets won in OT, swept the series, and Orlando was never the same.

8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

New York led by 6 with 18 seconds left. Miller scored 8 straight — a three, a steal and another three, then two free throws after Starks’ blunder. Spike Lee’s courtside taunts became infamous.

7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

With the score tied in the final seconds, JR grabbed a rebound off a missed free throw… and inexplicably dribbled out the clock, thinking the Cavs were ahead. LeBron’s death stare was seared into NBA meme history.

6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

The 67-win, No. 1-seeded Mavericks were out-hustled and outplayed by Baron Davis’s No. 8-seed Warriors. The 4-2 upset was the first 8-over-1 series win in a seven-game format, and Dirk’s MVP trophy felt awkward after.

5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

Before Dallas in '07, there was Seattle in '94. The 63-win Sonics blew a 2-0 series lead to Denver, losing three straight to Dikembe Mutombo’s Nuggets. Mutombo’s floor celebration is still iconic.

4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

Favored Miami crumbled as LeBron averaged just 17.8 points, disappearing in fourth quarters. The Mavs’ zone defense left him passive, and critics roasted him for years afterward. Redemption would come later.

3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

Up 3-2 against the KD-era Warriors, Houston bricked a playoff-record 27 straight threes in Game 7. Despite holding a halftime lead, their cold streak doomed them, wasting Chris Paul’s best title shot.

2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

LA was up 3-1 and led Game 6 by 19 in the third quarter. Josh Smith and Corey Brewer (!!) sparked an epic Rockets rally. The Clips folded, blew Game 7 too, and never recovered as a contender.

1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

15) 2013 Spurs Game 6 Meltdown – NBA Finals, 14) 2000 Blazers Blow 15-Point 4th Quarter Lead – WCF Game 7, 13) 2020 Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Nuggets – WCSF, 12) Karl Malone’s Missed Free Throw – 1997 NBA Finals Game 1, 11) 2002 Kings’ Game 7 Collapse vs. Lakers – WCF, 10) Gilbert Arenas & LeBron’s Whisper – 2006 ECQF, 9) Nick Anderson’s Four Misses – 1995 NBA Finals Game 1, 8) Knicks vs. Reggie Miller’s 8 Points in 9 Seconds – 1995 ECSF Game 1, 7) JR Smith’s Brain Fart – 2018 NBA Finals Game 1, 6) Mavs vs. We Believe Warriors – 2007 First Round, 5) Seattle Supersonics’ 8-Seed Collapse – 1994 First Round, 4) LeBron’s 2011 Finals Meltdown, 3) Rockets Miss 27 Straight Threes – 2018 WCF Game 7, 2) Lob City Clippers Blow 3-1 Lead vs. Rockets – 2015 WCSF, 1) Warriors’ 3-1 Collapse – 2016 NBA Finals

The 73-win Warriors had Cleveland on the ropes. Then Draymond got suspended, LeBron and Kyrie took over, and Game 7’s final moments — LeBron’s block, Kyrie’s dagger — sealed the biggest collapse in NBA history.

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