team has ever blown a 3-0 series lead dating to 1947, when the N.B.A. This year, in the Western Conference finals, the Denver Nuggets took a 3-0 series lead against the Los Angeles Lakers, then finished them off in a four-game sweep. A collapse after taking a 3-0 series lead has happened in other leagues, though. The Tampa Bay Rays raced to a 3-0 series lead in the 2020 A.L.C.S., played at a neutral site in San Diego because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Rochester Royals (now the Sacramento Kings via Cincinnati, Kansas City, Mo., and Omaha) took a 3-0 lead over the Knicks, who rallied with three wins.

Source: New York Times May 29, 2023 06:13 UTC