Introduction

The world of sports is filled with thrilling victories and heartbreaking defeats. But some collapses are so remarkable they enter the annals of sports history as unforgettable moments of failure. The Duke Blue Devils' shocking 19-point lead collapse against the UConn Huskies in the 2026 Elite Eight has prompted scrutiny, raising the question: Is this the biggest sports choke job of the century? In this article, we’ll explore that collapse and rank the top 20 most notable choke jobs in sports since 2000.

The Duke Blue Devils' Collapse

As one of college basketball's most storied programs, the Duke Blue Devils came into March Madness with high expectations. The 2026 NCAA tournament saw them clinch the No. 1 overall seed with an impressive 32-2 record. Their offense and defense both ranked in the top ten for efficiency, and with star player Cameron Boozer leading the charge, they looked poised to advance confidently through the tournament.

In their Elite Eight matchup against UConn, the Devils appeared to be on the path to victory, establishing a commanding 19-point lead. However, as the second half of the game progressed, it became evident that something was amiss. Key turnovers and a faltering defense allowed UConn to claw back into contention. The climax came in the final seconds with a game-winning three-pointer from Braylon Mullins that sent shockwaves through the championship landscape.

20 Notable Choke Jobs Since 2000

While Duke’s collapse might be fresh in the minds of basketball fans, it's just one instance among many remarkable letdowns in sports history. Here's a closer look at other notable choke jobs since 2000:

1. Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs (2020)

With a seemingly insurmountable 24-0 lead in the AFC Divisional Round, the Texans looked poised to dethrone the Chiefs. However, Kansas City rallied back to score 41 unanswered points, culminating in a dramatic 51-31 victory, marking one of the most stunning comebacks in playoff history.

2. New York Mets (2007)

The Mets had a healthy seven-game lead in the NL East with just weeks to play, only to falter spectacularly. With a dismal September that saw them collapse into third place, they finished just shy of postseason glory, forever haunting their fans.

3. Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers (2010)

Leading 3-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Bruins faced a comeback by the Flyers, eventually losing the series—marking the third time in NHL history that a team lost a best-of-seven series after leading 3-0.

4. Roger Federer at Wimbledon (2019)

During the final against Novak Djokovic, Federer missed two match points while serving for the championship. What followed was a crucial tiebreaker that Djokovic won, ultimately taking the match in what is considered the longest men’s singles final in Wimbledon history.

5. Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings (2022)

In a stunning turn of events, the Colts led 33-0 at halftime only to let the Vikings score 36 unanswered points, capping off the largest comeback in NFL history during a regular season game.

6. Northern Iowa vs. Texas A&M (2016)

With a 69-57 lead and only 44 seconds remaining, Northern Iowa was looking likely to move on in the NCAA tournament. Yet, a shocking run by Texas A&M, capped by a last-second layup, led to an overtime loss for the Panthers.

7. Chicago Cubs (2003 NLCS)

In one of baseball's most notorious moments, the Cubs were five outs away from the World Series when the Steve Bartman incident happened. The resulting collapse turned an almost certain victory into a bitter defeat.

8. Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots (Super Bowl LI)

A 28-3 lead seemed insurmountable for the Falcons, yet they allowed the Patriots to score 25 unanswered points, sending the game to the first-ever overtime in Super Bowl history where they ultimately lost.

9. AC Milan vs. Liverpool (2005 UEFA Champions League)

Leading 3-0 at halftime, Milan seemed to have the match won. However, Liverpool orchestrated a miraculous comeback, scoring three goals in a six-minute span, and ultimately winning the final in a dramatic penalty shootout.

10. Golden State Warriors (2016 NBA Finals)

The Warriors entered the Finals with a 3-1 series lead and the best regular season record ever. They ultimately lost the title to the Cavaliers, becoming the first NBA team to lose a Finals after taking a 3-1 lead.

Conclusion

Duke's collapse against UConn adds yet another chapter to the saga of unforgettable sports choke jobs that remind fans of the precarious nature of victory. While many factors contribute to each failure, the emotional weight of these moments transcends the sports world, creating narratives that resonate forever. As these rankings show, the art of the choke is alive and well across all sports disciplines. The unforgettable loss of the Blue Devils might not take the top spot, but it surely adds to their legacy, one defined both by triumph and tragedy.