The NBA playoffs expanded from 12 to 16 teams in 1984, and since then, only a small number of 7-seed teams have advanced past the first round. This achievement is rare due to the challenging matchups faced by lower-seeded teams, especially against higher-ranked 2-seeds. The Golden State Warriors recently made history by becoming the seventh 7-seed team to advance past the first round, defeating the Rockets in a Game 7. Despite this success, no 7-seed team has ever won the NBA Championship, with their furthest progress being the Conference Finals. The Warriors now have a chance to be the first 7-seed to claim an NBA title, a feat previously unmatched in the league's history.

The NBA playoffs expanded to include 16 teams in 1984, providing more opportunities for lower-seeded teams to compete, yet making it challenging for them to advance far due to their matchups against higher seeds.

The structure of the playoffs includes a play-in tournament, in which eight teams compete to secure the final two seeds in each conference, further intensifying the competition for lower-seeded teams.

Historically, only six 7-seed teams have ever advanced past the first round of the playoffs, with this rarity underscored by a success rate of just 7.5% for such teams.

In 2025, the Golden State Warriors became the seventh 7-seed team to reach the second round after defeating the Houston Rockets in a decisive Game 7, marking a significant moment in NBA playoff history.

Despite these occasional successes, no 7-seed has ever captured an NBA Championship, with only two reaching the Conference Finals before being swept by the eventual champions.

The 1995 Houston Rockets remain the lowest-seeded team to win an NBA title, having done so as a 6-seed, highlighting the rarity of deep playoff runs by lower-seeded teams.

As the Warriors advance, they carry the potential to make history as the first 7-seed to win the championship, challenging the precedent set by previous playoff outcomes.

The NBA playoffs expanded from 12 to 16 teams in 1984. Recently, the NBA also developed a play-in tournament, in which eight total teams battle it out to determine the final two seeds for each conference. 

Obviously, the lowest seed (the 8-seed) has the toughest matchup in the first round as they have to play the top seed in the conference. It doesn't get much easier for the 7-seed, though, as they will have to play the 2-seed, and will not have homecourt advantage if the series goes a full seven games. 

In the 40 years since the playoff format changed, only six 7-seeds have escaped the first round. There are two 7-seed teams in each conference, each season, which means that six out of a possible 80 teams have made it to the second round, with a success rate of 7.5%.

In a way, fans in 2025 are witnessing a potential slice of history, as the 7-seed Warriors clinched a second-round berth with a Game 7 win over the Rockets. 

The excitement could be short lived, however, as history is stacked against them. Here is more on the 7 seeds who have been able to advance past the first round of the NBA playoffs. 

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How many 7 seeds beat a 2 seed in the NBA Playoffs?

Here are the 7 seeds that have beaten 2 seeds. The 2025 Warriors have become the seventh in NBA history to accomplish this feat.

The 1987 SuperSonics beat Houston 4-2 in the second round, but then got swept 4-0 by the Lakers. The 1989 Warriors lost 4-1 to the Suns in the second round, while the 1991 Warriors lost 4-1 to the Lakers in the second round. 

The 1998 Knicks lost to the Pacers 4-1 and the 2010 Spurs got swept 4-0 by the Suns. The 2023 Lakers beat the Warriors 4-2 in the second round, but then got swept by the Nuggets. 

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Has a 7 seed ever won an NBA Championship? 

Not yet. Only two 7-seeds have made it past the first two rounds.

Both of them were swept in the Conference Finals by the eventual NBA champions. Golden State has the chance to be the first 7-seed to ever win an NBA title. The Rockets are the lowest-seeded team to ever win an NBA championship. Houston was a six-seed in 1995, and swept Orlando in the finals.