Comebacks in the NBA are not something we witness every game. It truly depends on the mentality of both teams when a team attempts a comeback. One of the most iconic comebacks in the NBA happened in 2004. That was when Tracy McGrady shook the world when he managed to come in clutch for his team when they needed it the most.
That year, the Houston Rockets faced the San Antonio Spurs on December 9th at the Toyota Center in Texas. The Spurs started well through Radoslav Nesterovic and Tony Parker. Their lead didn’t last long though, when Tracy McGrady made it from the free throw line, he had no idea that he was going to have a game that he would remember for life.
When did Tracy McGrady retire from the NBA?
McGrady retired from the league in 2013. Before bidding goodbye, he played for the very franchise that he announced himself to the world by balling out against them. He was a great player who had a bright career ahead of him in 2004, but it looks like injuries took over the wheel in Tracy’s career.
That night, the Rockets won the first quarter 18-20 but took their feet off the gas during the following two stints. The Spurs had control of the game when they won the second and third 22-20 and 24-16 respectively. But what happened in the fourth was one of the greatest moments in NBA history.
Most epic comeback in NBA history?
18 years ago today, Tracy McGrady scored 13 PTS IN 35 SECONDS 🔥 pic.twitter.com/bSbpAQ2yQH
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 9, 2022
In just 35 seconds, McGrady pulled the “most epic comeback in NBA history“. When the Rockets were trailing, Tracy made four 3-pointers in a row to give his team a point lead over the legendary Spurs team. What was even more astonishing was the fact that McGrady made the last 3-pointer with just less than two seconds to go to win the game 81-80, over the one and only Tim Duncan.
Duncan was on fire on the night as well, he put up 26 points on the board, together with 18 rebounds and 3 assists. However, only 8 of those points came from the 4th quarter, when it was completely McGrady’s show. The win was a statement against the title-winning team that season. Many started to believe that Tracy’s performance in that 35 seconds to score 13 points was when he proved his scoring prowess.