10 NBA Playoff what-ifs that changed everything

The NBA playoffs have always been a stage for greatness, but just as often, they’re shaped by moments that never happened. A missed shot, an untimely injury, a controversial call, or even a split-second decision can quietly rewrite history. For every championship banner raised, there’s a shadow version of events where things went differently—sometimes dramatically so.

What if a dynasty had fallen apart before it began? What if a single bounce of the ball had crowned a different champion? These aren’t just fun hypotheticals; they’re windows into how fragile success really is in the postseason. The margin between legacy and “what could have been” is often razor-thin.

MORE: Most NBA Playoff wins by players still chasing their first title

Looking back, it’s clear that certain playoff turning points didn’t just decide a series; they altered careers, reshaped franchises, and even shifted the balance of power across the league for years. Fans still debate these moments, not just because of what happened, but because of what almost did.

In this list, we’ll revisit ten of the biggest NBA playoff what-ifs — the moments where one twist of fate could have changed everything. From legendary near-misses to heartbreaking “almosts,” these scenarios remind us that history isn’t just written by winners, it’s also defined by the paths not taken.

What if Derrick Rose stayed healthy in 2012?

Derrick Rose was the youngest MVP in NBA history, and the Bulls had looked like a real contender when he led them. Chicago had enough talent to challenge LeBron James’ Miami Heat in the East, and Rose’s health could have kept that rivalry alive for years. If he had never torn his ACL in 2012, the Bulls likely would have remained a top threat in the conference. That would have changed the East, at least for a while, because Chicago would have forced Miami to keep answering. Still, the Bulls were not clearly better than the Heat as constructed, and they likely would not have been a true answer to the Warriors later on. Rose’s injury turned him into a myth, but a healthy version probably would have been more of a top-15 star than a full rewrite of NBA history.

What if Ray Allen missed in 2013?

Game 6 of the 2013 NBA Finals became one of the biggest shots in league history because Ray Allen made it. He saved Miami with a corner three in the final seconds and forced overtime against San Antonio. If that shot had missed, the Spurs likely would have won the title. That would have given Tim Duncan another ring and left LeBron James with a huge Finals loss on his résumé. His legacy would have taken a major hit because the Heat’s title run had rested on that moment. The shot did not just save a game, it protected an entire chapter of LeBron’s career.

What if Kevin Durant stayed in Oklahoma City in 2016?

Kevin Durant left the Thunder after the 2016 Western Conference Finals and joined the Warriors, the team that had just beaten him. That move shifted the balance of the league and created another Golden State superteam. If Durant had stayed in Oklahoma City, the NBA might have looked much more balanced. Russell Westbrook likely would have had a much better chance to win a title, and the Warriors would have faced a different path in the West. The domino effect could have changed other stars’ movements too, including Paul George and even the larger free agency picture. Durant’s choice reshaped the league far beyond one season.

What if Kawhi Leonard stayed healthy in 2017?

Kawhi Leonard went down in Game 1 of the 2017 Western Conference Finals after landing on Zaza Pachulia’s foot. At that point, the Spurs had been up big on Golden State, and the series felt open. If Leonard had stayed healthy, San Antonio might have pushed the Warriors much harder. That could have changed the whole postseason path because the Spurs were one of the few teams built to challenge a powerhouse like Golden State. A healthy Kawhi may also have changed how people viewed the Spurs’ late-prime window. Instead, the injury became one of the biggest turning points of that era.

What if Chris Paul stayed healthy in 2018?

The Rockets had gone up 3-2 on the Warriors in the 2018 Western Conference Finals before Chris Paul pulled his hamstring. That injury changed everything. Houston had a real chance to close the series, and Paul gave that team the control and pace it needed. If he had stayed healthy, the Rockets probably would have had a far better shot at ending Golden State’s run. They may have won Game 6 or Game 7, especially with the Warriors already under pressure. Instead, the injury helped swing the series back the other way and kept Golden State alive.

MORE: Most viewed players of the 2025-26 NBA season

What if Michael Jordan never returned from baseball?

Michael Jordan left the NBA after the 1993 Finals, and his first retirement changed the league’s direction. If he had never returned from baseball, the 1990s would have opened up for other teams like Houston and New York. The Bulls might have missed more championships, and Jordan’s career totals would have looked very different. Some people believed the Bulls could have pushed for more titles even without him, but his return gave the dynasty its final shape. Without the second run, Jordan’s legacy would still have been enormous, but it would have been built on a shorter and more unusual path. His comeback kept the Bulls’ dynasty alive and preserved the shape of the 1990s.

What if Draymond Green stayed available in 2016?

The Warriors led the 2016 NBA Finals 3-1 before Draymond Green’s suspension changed the mood of the series. Golden State still had a strong team, but the suspension removed one of its emotional leaders at the worst possible time. If Green had not been suspended, the Warriors may have finished the job in five games. That would have denied Cleveland its comeback and kept LeBron from winning that title in one of the most famous Finals ever played. The series still would have been close, but the pressure would have been very different with Green on the floor. The suspension became one of the most debated turning points in modern playoff history.

What if Klay Thompson stayed healthy in 2019?

Klay Thompson’s injury in the 2019 NBA Finals hurt Golden State’s chances of completing a three-peat. Before that, the Warriors had already lost Kevin Durant earlier in the series, and Thompson’s absence made the final stretch even harder. If Klay had stayed healthy, the Warriors likely would have forced Game 7 and possibly won another championship. That would have changed the way people viewed the dynasty because it would have extended their dominance even further. The Raptors still would have been a tough opponent, but Golden State would have had far more firepower. Klay’s injury helped end one era and open another.

What if Allen Iverson got more help in 2001?

Allen Iverson carried the 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals almost by himself. He was brilliant, but the burden on him was enormous. If Philadelphia had given him stronger support, that Finals might have become a real series against the Lakers. An extra scorer or a better shooter could have taken pressure off Iverson and made the offense less predictable. That would not have guaranteed a title, but it could have made the matchup far more competitive. Iverson’s run already defined his legacy, and more help might have turned it into a championship story.

What if Kawhi Leonard missed in 2019?

Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard’s Game 7 buzzer beater against Philadelphia became the defining shot of the Raptors’ championship run. The ball bounced four times before dropping, and Toronto went on to win its first title. If that shot had missed, the Raptors might have been sent home and Leonard’s lone season in Canada would have looked very different. Philadelphia could have survived the series, and the East bracket might have opened up in a new way. Instead, Leonard’s shot became one of the most famous in NBA playoff history. It changed a franchise, a season and a legacy in one bounce.

MORE: LaMelo Ball apologizes for Bam Adebayo trip that led to injury

Conclusion

The NBA playoffs have always been defined by moments that could have gone either way. These what-ifs remind us how thin the line is between glory and heartbreak. One play, one injury, or one decision often reshaped legacies, proving that postseason basketball remains the ultimate test of greatness and timing.