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List of all-time NBA win–loss records

The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded in 1946 and began operations as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). Following the BAA's merger with the National Basketball League (NBL), the BAA rebranded as the NBA. The 1949–50 NBA season marked the first season following the merger. The NBA has kept a record of its win–loss statistics since its inception. These records include wins and losses recorded during a team's playing time in the BAA.[a] Defunct BAA/NBA franchises are also accounted for, provided that they played at least one season in the BAA or NBA.[a] NBA win–loss records also do not include wins and losses recorded during a team's playing time in the American Basketball Association (ABA), despite the 1976 ABA–NBA merger.[2]

The San Antonio Spurs have the highest win–loss record percentage, with 2,305–1,562 (.596).[3] Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the lowest win–loss record percentage, with 1,147–1,647 (.411).[3] The Boston Celtics leads the most played games, with 6,114.[3] Conversely, the New Orleans Pelicans have played the fewest overall games, with 1,768.[3] The Celtics have also recorded the most wins, with 3,634; the Sacramento Kings have recorded the most losses with 3,257.[3] The Pelicans have also recorded both the fewest wins (831) and losses (937) in regular season history.[3]

In the 2023–24 NBA season, the NBA hosted its inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament (IST), later dubbed the NBA Cup. Games played during the IST are included in a team's regular season results and thus, count toward a team's win–loss record, with the exception of the NBA Cup Finals.[4][5]

At the end of the regular season, 12 teams (the top 6 seeds in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference) will have clinched a NBA playoffs. Meanwhile, the 7th through 10th seeds in Eastern Conference and Western Conference enter a play-in tournament to determine their playoff seeds. Through the end of the 2023-24 NBA season, the Pelicans are tied with the Atlanta Hawks, Chicago Bulls, and Miami Heat for most play-in tournament games played, with four. The Lakers have the best play-in tournament record, having won all three of their games. Conversely, the Golden State Warriors have the worst play-in tournament record, having lost all three of their games.

As of the end of the 2024 NBA Finals, the Lakers have the most post-season games played (782), wins (465), and losses (317), and highest post-season winning percentage with 465–317 (.595).[6] The Charlotte Hornets have the lowest post-season winning percentage with 23–40 (.365).[7] The Pelicans have the fewest post-season games played (59), wins (22), and losses (37).[8]

Active franchises

Regular season

Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, the team with the best all-time regular season win–loss record percentage in the NBA history.
Kevin Garnett dunking during his tenure with Minnesota Timberwolves, the team with the lowest all-time win–loss record percentage in NBA history.

Play-in tournament

Damian Lillard led the Portland Trail Blazers to the first play-in tournament victory in NBA history.[27]

The NBA introduced a play-in tournament in the 2019–20 NBA season to compensate for the suspension of the regular season and a difference in the amount of games played between teams, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the 2019–20 NBA season, if both conference's 9th seed was within 4 games of the 8th seed in the standings, a play-in matchup between the two seeds would be triggered.[28] The 8th seed would need to win one game, while the 9th seed would need to win two in the matchup.[28] Ultimately, the Western Conference's Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies would face off in a play-in game.[28]

The future of the play-in tournament was then explored, with many reports concurring that it would indeed become a permanent fixture in the NBA.[29][30] Due to the success of the play-in tournament and the COVID-19 pandemic persisting into the 2020–21 NBA season, the league installed a play-in tournament involving both conference's 7th through 10th-place teams in the regular season standings.[31][32] The format of the play-in tournament involves the 7th-place team playing the 8th-place team with the winner clinching the 7th seed in the playoffs. The 9th-place team plays the 10th-place team with the loser being eliminated from playoff contention. The loser of the 7th-8th matchup will then play the winner of the 9th-10th matchup, with the winner clinching the 8th seed and the loser being eliminated.[33]

Playoffs

Defunct franchises

17 BAA/NBA franchises are now defunct, although only 15 played games.[3] Amongst defunct franchises, the Chicago Stags have the highest win–loss record percentage, with (.612). The Denver Nuggets have the lowest win–loss record percentage, with (.177). The Baltimore Bullets have the most games played (450), wins (158), and losses (292) for a defunct NBA franchise. The Cleveland Rebels, Detroit Falcons, Indianapolis Jets, Pittsburgh Ironmen, and Toronto Huskies are all tied for fewest games played (60).

Only teams that recorded playing time in the BAA/NBA are included, as the NBA does not recap NBL statistics nor does it officially count ABA statistics.

Regular season

Playoffs

See also

Notes

  1. ^ a b BAA win–loss records are included, as the NBA claims the BAA's history as its own. For example, at NBA History online its table of one-line "NBA Season Recaps" begins 1946–47 season without comment. NBL statistics are not included, as unlike with BAA statistics prior to the BAA-NBL merger, the NBA has not included NBL statistics when recapping their history.[1]
  2. ^ The San Antonio Spurs began play as the Dallas Chaparrals in the 1967–68 ABA season, as one of the ABA's charter members. Renamed as the "Texas Chaparrals" during the 1970–71 season, the team reverted back to the Dallas Chaparrals name for the following season. They then relocated to San Antonio, and rebranded as the San Antonio Spurs ahead of the 1973–74 season. The San Antonio Spurs were then absorbed into the NBA following the 1976 ABA–NBA merger. The San Antonio Spurs 378–366 (.508) ABA record over 744 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[9] If they were, they would have a 2,683–1,928 (.582) record over 4,611 total games played, which would rank 3rd all-time behind the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.
  3. ^ The Los Angeles Lakers played as the Minneapolis Lakers from 1948–1960. The team then relocated to Los Angeles, and have played as the Los Angeles Lakers since the 1960–61 season.[10] The Los Angeles Lakers 43–17 (.717) NBL record over 60 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[1][11] If they were, they would have a 3,593–2,471 (.593) record over 6,064 total games played.
  4. ^ The Utah Jazz played as the New Orleans Jazz from 1974–1980, before relocating to Utah, and rebranding as the Utah Jazz, which they have played as since the 1979–80 season.[12]
  5. ^ The Oklahoma City Thunder were founded as the Seattle SuperSonics, which they played as from 1967–2008, before relocating to Oklahoma City, and rebranding as the Oklahoma City Thunder.[13][14] They have played as the Thunder since the 2008–09 season.
  6. ^ The Philadelphia 76ers played as the Syracuse Nationals from 1946 to 1963.[15] However, they began play as an NBL team; their first NBA season was the 1949–50 season. The franchise then relocated to Philadelphia, and rebranded as the 76ers, which they have played as since the 1963–64 season.[16] The Philadelphia 76ers held an 85–82 (.509) record over their 167 NBL games played, which are not included in their NBA statistics.[1][17] If they were, they would have a 3,186–2,922 (.522) record over 6,108 total games played.
  7. ^ The Houston Rockets played as the San Diego Rockets from 1967–1972, before relocating to Houston. They have played as the "Houston Rockets" since the 1971–72 season.[18]
  8. ^ The Denver Nuggets began play as the Denver Rockets in the 1967–68 ABA season, as one of the ABA's charter members. The team rebranded as the Denver Nuggets after the 1973–74 season, and were later absorbed into the NBA following the 1976 ABA–NBA merger. The Denver Nuggets 413–331 (.555) ABA record over 744 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[19] If they were, they would have a 2,367–2,246 (.513) record over 4,613 total games played, which would rank 12th all-time behind the Houston Rockets.
  9. ^ The Indiana Pacers began play in the 1967–68 ABA season, as one of the ABA's charter members. They were absorbed into the NBA following the 1976 ABA–NBA merger. The Indiana Pacers logged a 427–317 (.574) record over their 754 games played in the ABA, though these stats are not included in their NBA statistics.[20] If they were, they would have a 2,357–2,255 (.511) record over 4,612 total games played, which would rank 13th all-time behind the Denver Nuggets.
  10. ^ Before joining the NBA, the franchise began play in the NBL as the Buffalo Bisons in 1945-46. They then relocated from Buffalo, New York to Moline, Illinois, and rebranded as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks. They played under that name from 1946–1951. In the midst of these years, they were absorbed into the NBA as part of the BAA–NBL merger, with their 1949–50 season marking their first of NBA play. They then relocated to Milwaukee, and rebranded as Milwaukee Hawks, which they played as from 1951–1955. They then relocated to St. Louis, playing as the St. Louis Hawks from 1955–1968. Finally, after relocating to Atlanta, the franchise settled as the Atlanta Hawks in 1968-69 season. The Atlanta Hawks' 85–83 (.506) NBL record over 168 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[1][21] If they were, they would have a 3,012–3,093 (.493) record over 6,105 total games played.
  11. ^ The Golden State Warriors played in Philadelphia Warriors from 1946–1962, then relocating to San Francisco from 1962-1971. They rebranded as the Golden State Warriors to begin the 1971-72 season.
  12. ^ The team predates the NBA. Originally a semi-professional team located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, they played as the Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons from 1937–1948. Their first season as a professional team came was their 1941–42 season, which they played as a member of the NBL. They joined the BAA in its final season prior to the BAA–NBL merger and upon joining the BAA, adjusted their team name to the "Fort Wayne Pistons", which they played as from 1948–1957. The team then relocated to Detroit, with their 1957–58 season being their first as the Detroit Pistons. The Detroit Pistons' 166–71 (.700) NBL record over 237 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[1][22] If they were, they would have a 2,993–3,242 (.480) record over 6,235 total games played, which would rank 19th all-time behind the Golden State Warriors.
  13. ^ a b The New Orleans Pelicans began play as the New Orleans Hornets in the 2002–03 NBA season, due to the original Charlotte Hornets, which began play in the 1988–89 NBA season, then relocating to New Orleans. The city of Charlotte, North Carolina was then awarded the 30th NBA franchise, dubbed the Charlotte Bobcats, which began play in the 2004–05 NBA season. The New Orleans Hornets rebranded as the New Orleans Pelicans, with the 2013–14 season being their first under the New Orleans Pelicans. The Charlotte Bobcats then rebranded as the Charlotte Hornets, first playing under then name in the 2014–15 season.[23] This second incarnation of Charlotte Hornets retained statistics and records of the original Charlotte Hornets franchise which played from the 1988 to 2002, as well as the statistics and records accumulated while playing as the Charlotte Bobcats.[24] Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans franchise was retroactively regarded as a 2002–03 NBA season expansion franchise, maintaining the statistics and records accumulated from that season onwards, including during their temporary tenure as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets from 2005–2007.
  14. ^ Before joining the NBA, they began play as the Rochester Seagrams (Rochester Eber Seagrams, Rochester Pros) in 1923-1945, then they relocating to Rochester, New York, and rebranded as the Rochester Royals in 1945-46 season. Predating the NBA, the Sacramento Kings played their first NBA season in 1948 as the Rochester Royals until 1957, then relocating to Cincinnati, they played as the Cincinnati Royals from 1957–1972. Then they relocating to Kansas City, Missouri, playing as the Kansas City–Omaha Kings from 1972–1975, and as the Kansas City Kings from 1975–1985. Finally, the franchise settled in Sacramento, California, and rebranding as Sacramento Kings in 1985-86 season. The Sacramento Kings 99–39 (.717) NBL record over 138 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[1][25] If they were, they would have a 2,847–3,296 (.463) record over 6,143 total games played.
  15. ^ The Washington Wizards were established as the Chicago Packers for their inaugural 1961–62 season, before rebranding as the Chicago Zephyrs. They played as the Zephyrs for a single season (1962–63), before relocating to Baltimore and adopting "Bullets" as their team name. They played as the Baltimore Bullets from 1963–1973. Afterwards, they relocated to Washington, D.C., and played as the "Capital Bullets" for the 1973–74 season. They then rebranded to the "Washington Bullets", playing under the name from 1974–1997. Beginning with their 1997–98 season, they have played under the current Washington Wizards team name.
  16. ^ The Memphis Grizzlies were established as the Vancouver Grizzlies, playing in Vancouver from 1995–2001. They relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, and have played as the Memphis Grizzlies since the 2001–02 season.
  17. ^ Originally an ABA team, the Brooklyn Nets began play as the New York Nets in the 1967–68 ABA season, they were known for their two times champion, including 1973–74 season, 1975–76 season, and were absorbed into the NBA following the 1976 ABA–NBA merger, then they played their first NBA season as the New York Nets from 1976-77 season, then relocating to New Jersey in 1977-78 season, and rebranded as the New Jersey Nets. They moved to Brooklyn, then rebranded as the Brooklyn Nets in 2012-13 season. The Brooklyn Nets 374–370 (.503) ABA record over 744 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[26] If they were, they would have a 2,028–2,584 (.440) record over 4,612 total games played, which would rank 26th all-time behind the Washington Wizards.
  18. ^ The Los Angeles Clippers played as the Buffalo Braves from 1970–1978. The team relocated to San Diego and rebranded as the San Diego Clippers, which they played as from 1978–1984. They then relocated to Los Angeles, with their 1984–85 season marking their first as the Los Angeles Clippers.
  19. ^ The Los Angeles Lakers 8–2 (.800) NBL record over 10 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[1] If they were, they would have a 473–319 (.597) record over 792 total games played.
  20. ^ The San Antonio Spurs 17–32 (.347) ABA record over 49 games played are not included in their NBA statistics. If they were, they would have a 239–213 (.529) record over 452 total games played, which would rank 8th all-time behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.
  21. ^ The Philadelphia 76ers 4–9 (.308) NBL record over 13 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[1] If they were, they would have a 254–247 (.507) record over 501 total games played, which would rank 11th all-time behind the Indiana Pacers.
  22. ^ The Detroit Pistons 22–18 (.550) NBL record over 40 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[1] If they were, they would have a 210–200 (.512) record over 410 total games played, which would rank 9th all-time behind the San Antonio Spurs.
  23. ^ The Indiana Pacers 69–50 (.580) ABA record over 119 games played are not included in their NBA statistics. If they were, they would have a 192–185 (.509) record over 377 total games played, which would rank 10th all-time behind the Detroit Pistons.
  24. ^ The Denver Nuggets 27–35 (.435) ABA record over 62 games played are not included in their NBA statistics. If they were, they would have a 132–172 (.434) record over 304 total games played.
  25. ^ The Atlanta Hawks 6–6 (.500) NBL record over 12 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[1] If they were, they would have a 174–228 (.433) record over 402 total games played, which would rank 22nd all-time behind the Denver Nuggets.
  26. ^ The Sacramento Kings 18–11 (.621) NBL record over 29 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[1] If they were, they would have a 101–122 (.453) record over 223 total games played, which would rank 19th all-time behind the Utah Jazz.
  27. ^ The Brooklyn Nets 37–32 (.536) ABA record over 69 games played are not included in their NBA statistics. If they were, they would have a 107–133 (.446) record over 240 total games played, which would rank 20th all-time behind the Sacramento Kings.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l This team folded prior to the BAA–NBL merger and therefore its history occurred entirely prior to the BAA becoming the NBA.
  29. ^ This team's history and records are not affiliated with the current day Washington Wizards who played as the Baltimore Bullets from 1963–64 NBA season to 1972–73 NBA season.
  30. ^ This team's history and records are not affiliated with the current day Denver Nuggets team.
  31. ^ This team's history and records are not affiliated with the current day Washington Wizards who played as the Baltimore Bullets from 1963–64 NBA season to 1972–73 NBA season.
  32. ^ This team's history and records are not affiliated with the current day Denver Nuggets team.

References

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  7. ^ "NBA Teams: Charlotte Hornets Records Year by Year". landofbasketball.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  8. ^ "NBA Teams: New Orleans Pelicans Records Year by Year". landofbasketball.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  9. ^ "San Antonio Spurs Historical Statistics and All-Time Top Leaders". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
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  12. ^ Daffin, Melinda (July 22, 2019) [March 8, 2019]. "March 1974: 45 years ago, the New Orleans Jazz NBA team was born. See vintage photos". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
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  25. ^ "Sacramento Kings Historical Statistics and All-Time Top Leaders". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports-Reference. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
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  32. ^ "How does the NBA play-in tournament work? Dates, projections and rules explained". ESPN. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021. Since there is a chance for teams to finish with an uneven number of games played because of COVID-19 complications, the NBA will use winning percentage to determine the standings.
  33. ^ "FAQ: NBA Play-In Tournament". National Basketball Association. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.