Few would blame the 76ers for being a bit sluggish after a road win over the Knicks on New York’s banner night on Tuesday, but they refused to roll over against the Cavaliers on Thursday.
After a dismal start led to a 29-point hole for Philadelphia, the new-look Sixers chipped away at the deficit throughout the second half and completed what could go down as the NBA’s biggest comeback all season with a 114-106 win.
Where does it rank among the biggest comebacks in NBA history? Here’s what you need to know.
MORE: Inside LeBron James’ helicopter commute
Biggest comebacks in NBA regular season history
The 76ers’ comeback is tied for the 13th-largest in NBA history between the regular season and playoffs, tying a handful of comebacks including the Knicks’ 29-point NBA Finals comeback against the Spurs.
| Date | Team | Comeback | Opponent |
| Nov. 27, 1996 | Jazz | 36 | Nuggets |
| Jan. 25, 2022 | Clippers | 35 | Wizards |
| Dec. 21, 2009 | Kings | 35 | Bulls |
| April 30, 2021 | Celtics | 32 | Spurs |
| Feb. 4, 1998 | Jazz | 31 | Bulls |
| Nov. 27, 1975 | Warriors | 31 | Bucks |
| April 15, 2019* | Clippers | 31 | Warriors |
| Dec. 6, 2002 | Lakers | 30 | Mavericks |
| April 10, 2019 | Trail Blazers | 30 | Kings |
| Dec. 22, 2019 | Raptors | 30 | Mavericks |
| March 25, 2024 | Hawks | 30 | Celtics |
| March 25, 1988 | 76ers | 30 | Celtics |
* — Playoffs
For the 76ers, it’s their largest comeback of the play-by-play era (since 1997-98) and largest overall since March 25, 1988, when the team overcame a 30-point deficit against the Celtics. The Cavaliers had never blown such a large lead before Thursday’s meltdown.
Thursday’s win is also the biggest comeback victory of LeBron James’ career.
MORE: Where does LeBron James live?
Highlights from 76ers comeback
A 33-11 run got the Sixers back in the game:
PHILLY IS ON A 33-11 RUN 💨 After trailing by as many as 29 points, Tyrese Maxey (20 PTS) cuts the deficit to 7! https://t.co/L65VKNDiKx
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2026
Here’s the moment the 76ers took their first lead:
JOEL EMBIID GIVES PHILLY THEIR FIRST LEAD OF THE GAME IN Q4! THEY TRAILED BY AS MANY AS 29 POINTS 🤯 https://t.co/nwK8qCxHhe
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2026
THE SIXERS ARE ON A 13-0 RUN IN Q4 💨 AFTER TRAILING BY AS MANY AS 29 POINTS, PHILLY NOW LEADS BY 7 WITH LESS THAN 5 MINUTES TO PLAY! https://t.co/9S8bl0BKeh
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2026
This was the moment the 76ers finished the job:
THE SIXERS ERASE A 29-POINT DEFICIT TO WIN THEIR HOME OPENER 🚨 IT’S PHILLY’S LARGEST COMEBACK OF THE PLAY-BY-PLAY ERA! https://t.co/7edGPbgZfC
— NBA (@NBA) October 23, 2026
Lebron James stats vs. Cavs
Here’s how LeBron James performed against the Cavaliers in his first 76ers home game:
- MIN: 33
- PTS: 17
- REB: 10
- AST: 5
- STL: 3
- BLK: 1
- FG: 5-14
- FT: 6-7
- 3P: 1-4
- TOV: 5
- PF: 3
Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown all had higher-scoring games than James, but he was Philadelphia’s leading rebounder and notched three steals.
MORE LEBRON JAMES:
