Historic comebacks: 5 moments that changed the game
Following the Knicks' NBA Finals rally, we look back at five other sports moments where a single misstep opened the door for legendary comebacks.
The New York Knicks' recent Game 4 comeback win was sparked by OG Anunoby’s block on a rushed shot from De’Aaron Fox. This highlights a recurring theme in sports: epic comebacks are often enabled by a critical miscalculation from the leading side.
In the 2005 Champions League final, AC Milan led 3-0 at halftime before Steven Gerrard’s 54th-minute header provided a spark. Milan lost their defensive footing, allowing Liverpool to score twice more within six minutes, ultimately leading to the "Miracle of Istanbul" where Liverpool secured the title on penalties.
Super Bowl LI saw the Atlanta Falcons collapse after a critical sack on Matt Ryan by Trey Flowers. That loss of yardage and time stalled Atlanta's offense, allowing Tom Brady and the Patriots to orchestrate a historic comeback.
In the 2004 ALCS, the Red Sox were down 3-0 in the series against the Yankees. A walk by Mariano Rivera to Kevin Millar and a stolen base by Dave Roberts shifted the momentum, allowing Boston to become the only MLB team to overcome a 3-0 series deficit.
Tennis also provides such moments, like Carlos Alcaraz’s resilience at the 2025 French Open. By saving three match points against Jannik Sinner, Alcaraz turned the longest French Open final ever in his favor.