What is the best comeback season in NBA history?

Torn Achilles tendons, shattered legs, a kidney transplant and one baseball detour all sit behind these seasons. Some ended with a ring, others with a single reminder of what a player still had.

1. 1
   Bill Walton (1985–86)

   After years of foot injuries, Walton played 80 games off the bench for Boston, won Sixth Man of the Year and a second title.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Magic Johnson (1995–96)

   Returning four years after his 1991 HIV announcement, Johnson averaged 14.6 points in 32 games for the Lakers.
   862pts
3. 3
   Willis Reed (1972–73)

   Limited to 11 games the previous season by knee trouble, Reed won his second title and second Finals MVP with the Knicks.
   801pts
4. 4
   Derrick Rose (2018–19)

   Years after a 2012 ACL tear, Rose averaged 18.0 points for Minnesota and scored a career-high 50 against Utah on Halloween 2018.
   767pts
5. 5
   Michael Jordan (1995–96)

   Jordan's first full season after returning from baseball: league MVP, a then-record 72–10 Bulls team and a fourth title.
   767pts
6. 6
   Bernard King (1990–91)

   Six years after a 1985 knee reconstruction, King averaged 28.4 points for Washington and made the All-Star team.
   548pts
7. 7
   Jamal Murray (2022–23)

   After missing all of 2021–22 with a torn ACL, Murray averaged 20.0 points and helped Denver win its first championship.
   448pts
8. 8
   Alonzo Mourning (2005–06)

   Two years after a kidney transplant, Mourning blocked 2.7 shots a game as Miami's backup center and won his only title.
   329pts
9. 9
   Kawhi Leonard (2018–19)

   After playing nine games in 2017–18 with a quad injury, Leonard led Toronto to its first title and won Finals MVP.
   329pts
10. 10
    Kevin Durant (2020–21)

    Back from a torn Achilles that cost him all of 2019–20, Durant averaged 26.9 points in 35 games for Brooklyn.
    329pts
11. 11
    Grant Hill (2004–05)

    After ankle surgeries limited him to 47 games over four seasons, Hill averaged 19.7 points in 67 games and started the 2005 All-Star Game.
    329pts
12. 12
    Paul George (2015–16)

    A season after breaking his leg in a 2014 Team USA scrimmage, George averaged 23.1 points and returned to the All-Star Game.
    329pts
13. 13
    Klay Thompson (2021–22)

    Back in January 2022 after missing two full seasons with ACL and Achilles tears, Thompson averaged 20.4 points and won a fourth title.
    0pts
14. 14
    Amar'e Stoudemire (2006–07)

    After microfracture knee surgery cost him nearly all of 2005–06, Stoudemire averaged 20.4 points and made the All-NBA First Team.
    0pts
15. 15
    Dwight Howard (2019–20)

    After injury-hit, nomadic seasons, Howard rejoined the Lakers as a reserve center and won his first championship.
    0pts

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