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List of all-time NBA win–loss records
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The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded in 1946 and began operations as the Basketball Association of America (BAA).[1] In 1949, the BAA merged with the National Basketball League (NBL), absorbing the latter's teams and rebranding as the NBA; the 1949–50 NBA season marked the first following the merger.[2][3] NBA win–loss records include the wins and losses recorded during a team's playing time in the BAA.[a] Defunct BAA/NBA franchises are also accounted for.[a] However, NBA win–loss records do not include the wins and losses recorded during a team's playing time in the American Basketball Association (ABA), despite the 1976 ABA–NBA merger.[5]
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Bill Russell (left), a notable player for the Boston Celtics, the team with the most recorded games played and wins in NBA regular season history, and the highest all-time regular season win–loss percentage; and Anthony Edwards (right), an active player for the Minnesota Timberwolves, the team with the lowest all-time regular season win–loss percentage among active franchises.
The Boston Celtics have the highest win–loss record percentage, with 3,695–2,501 (.596).[6] Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the lowest win–loss record percentage, with 1,196–1,680 (.416).[6] The Celtics leads the most played games, with 6,196.[6] Conversely, the New Orleans Pelicans have played the fewest overall games, with 1,850.[6] The Celtics have also recorded the most wins, with 3,695; the Sacramento Kings have recorded the most losses with 3,299.[6] The Pelicans have also recorded both the fewest wins (852) and losses (998) in regular season history.[6] Since the 2023–24 NBA season, the NBA has hosted its NBA In-Season Tournament (IST), later dubbed the NBA Cup. Games played during the NBA Cup are included in a team's regular season results and thus, count toward a team's win–loss record, except the NBA Cup Finals.[7][8][9]
At the end of the regular season, 12 teams (the top six teams in both the Eastern Conference and Western Conference standings) will have clinched an NBA playoffs berth. Meanwhile, the 7th- through 10th-place teams in the two conferences enter a play-in tournament, introduced during the 2020 NBA Bubble, to determine their playoff seeding.[10][11] Through the end of the 2025 play-in tournament, the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks are tied for the most play-in tournament games played, with six each.[12] The Heat also have recorded the most play-in wins, with four total.[12] The Los Angeles Lakers have the best play-in tournament record, having won all three of their games.[12] Conversely, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, and San Antonio Spurs have the worst play-in tournament record, having each lost both of their two games.[12] The records and statistics compiled during play-in games are not included in regular season nor playoff figures,[13] though the NBA has included play-in statistics in separate lists on its website.[14]
As of the end of the 2024 NBA Finals, the Lakers have the most playoff games played (782), wins (465), and losses (317), and highest playoff winning percentage with 465–317 (.595).[15] The Hornets have the lowest playoff winning percentage with 23–40 (.365).[16] The Pelicans have the fewest playoff games played (59), wins (22), and losses (37).[17]
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Active franchises
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Regular season
| Best win–loss record in division ⁂ |
Play-in tournament
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During the 2020 NBA Bubble, 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 number of games played between teams, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] For the 2019–20 NBA season, if a conference's 9th-place team was within 4 games back of the 8th-place team in the standings, a play-in matchup between the two seeds would be triggered.[58] To clinch the 8th seed in the playoffs, the 8th-place team would need to win one game, while the 9th-place team would need to win two in the matchup.[58] Ultimately, the Western Conference's Portland Trail Blazers and Grizzlies would face off in a play-in game.[58]
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.[59][60] 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 standings upon the end of the regular season, without regard to games back.[61][62] The format of the play-in tournament, still in place as of the 2025 season,[63] involves the 7th-place team plays a home game against the 8th-place team, with the winner clinching the 7th seed in their respective conference's playoff bracket. Meanwhile, the 9th-place team plays a home game against the 10th-place team, with the loser being eliminated from playoff contention. Then, the winner of the 9th-10th place team plays on the road, visiting the loser of the 7th-8th place matchup. The winner of this game clinches the 8th seed, with the loser being eliminated.[11]
23 of the NBA's 30 teams have played at least one play-in game; the eight teams yet to participate are the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, and Utah Jazz. The Nuggets and Bucks are the only teams that have reached the playoffs while avoiding the play-in for all six seasons.
| Best win–loss record in division ⁂ |
Playoffs
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Kobe Bryant (left) of the Los Angeles Lakers, who have recorded the highest playoff win–loss percentage, and the most postseason wins in NBA history; and Kemba Walker (right) during his time with the Charlotte Hornets, who have recorded the lowest playoff win–loss percentage in NBA history.
| Best win–loss record in division ⁂ |
| Team active in playoffs ✔ |
| Team eliminated from playoffs ✘ |
| Team in playoff drought † |
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Defunct franchises
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17 BAA/NBA franchises are now defunct, although only 15 played games.[6] 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
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See also
Notes
- 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 BAA statistics before the BAA-NBL merger, the NBA has not included NBL statistics when recapping their history.[4]
- The 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 Spurs ahead of the 1973–74 season. The Spurs were then absorbed into the NBA following the 1976 ABA–NBA merger. The franchise recorded a 378–366 (.508) win–loss record over 744 games played in the ABA.[19] This record is not included in their NBA statistics,[5] though if it was the Spurs would have a 2,717–1,976 (.579) record over 4,693 total games played.
- The 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.[21] The franchise's 43–17 (.717) NBL record over 60 games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[4] If it was, they would have a 3,643–2,503 (.593) record over 6,146 total games played.
- 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.[23][24] They have played as the Thunder since the 2008–09 season.
- 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.[27]
- The Philadelphia 76ers played as the Syracuse Nationals from 1946 to 1963.[32] 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 Philadelphia 76ers, which they have played as since the 1963–64 season.[33] The franchise's 85–82 (.509) win–loss record over their 167 NBL games played are not included in their NBA statistics.[4] If it was, they would have a 3,210–2,980 (.519) record over 6,190 total games played.
- 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.[35]
- 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 franchise recorded a 413–331 (.555) win–loss record in the ABA over 744 games played,[37] which is not included in its NBA statistics. If it was, they would have a 2,417–2,278 (.515) record over 4,695 total games played.
- 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 Pacers logged a 427–317 (.574) win–loss record over their 754 games played in the ABA,[39] though these stats are not included in their NBA statistics. If they were, they would have a 2,407–2,287 (.513) record over 4,694 total games played.
- 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, rebranding as Milwaukee Hawks, which they played as from 1951–1955. They then relocated to St. Louis,[3] playing as the St. Louis Hawks from 1955–1968. The team then relocated to Atlanta and have played as the Atlanta Hawks since the 1968–69 season. The Hawks recorded an 85–83 (.506) win–loss record in the NBL record over 168 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics.[4] If it was, they would have a 3,052–3,135 (.493) record over 6,187 total games played.
- 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.
- 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,[3] with their 1957–58 season being their name as the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons recorded a 166–71 (.700) win–loss record in the NBL over 237 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics.[4] If it was, they would have a 3,037–3,280 (.481) record over 6,317 total games played.
- 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, having relocated 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 Pelicans moniker. As a result, the Charlotte Bobcats then rebranded as the Charlotte Hornets, first playing under the name in the 2014–15 season.[48] This second incarnation of the Hornets retained the statistics and records of the original Hornets franchise which played from the 1988 to 2002, as well as the statistics and records accumulated while playing as the Charlotte Bobcats.[49] Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans franchise was retroactively regarded as an expansion franchise beginning play in the 2002–03 NBA season, maintaining the statistics and records accumulated from that season onwards, including during their temporary tenure as the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets from 2005 to 2007.
- Predating the NBA, the Kings began play in Rochester, New York as the Rochester Seagrams in 1923, playing under the name until 1942. They then had multiple name changes in the following years, playing as the Rochester Eber Seagrams from 1942 to 1943, and the Rochester Pros from 1943 to 1945. Upon joining the NBL in 1945, they again rebranded, this time as the Rochester Royals. The team was absorbed into the NBA following the BAA–NBL merger in 1948, later relocating to Cincinnati in 1957.[3] They kept the Royals name and played there until 1972. They played as the Kansas City–Omaha Kings from 1972 to 1975, and as the Kansas City Kings from 1975 to 1985. Since 1985, they have played under their current Sacramento Kings branding. The Kings recorded a 99–39 (.717) win–loss record in the NBL over 138 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics.[4] If it was, they would have a 2,887–3,338 (.464) record over 6,225 total games played.
- 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 Chicago Zephyrs for a single season (1962–63), before relocating to Baltimore, and adopting Baltimore Bullets as their team name. They played as the Baltimore Bullets from 1963 to 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 to 1997. Beginning with their 1997–98 season, they have played under the current Washington Wizards team name.
- 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.
- The Clippers played as the Buffalo Braves from 1970 to 1978. The team relocated to San Diego, and rebranded as the San Diego Clippers, which they played as from 1978 to 1984. They then relocated to Los Angeles, with their 1984–85 season marking their first as the Los Angeles Clippers.
- 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 franchise recorded a 374–370 (.503) win–loss record in the ABA record over 744 games,[55] which is not included in its NBA statistics.[5] If it was, the Nets would have a 2,054–2,640 (.438) record over 4,694 total games played.
- The Lakers recorded an 8–2 (.800) win–loss record in the NBL playoffs over 10 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics.[4] If it was, they would have a 474–323 (.595) record over 797 total games played.
- The 76ers 4–9 (.308) win–loss record in the NBL playoffs over 13 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics.[4] If it was, they would have a 255–247 (.508) record over 502 total games played.
- The Pistons recorded a 22–18 (.550) win–loss record in the NBL playoffs over 40 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics.[4] If it was, they would have a 212–204 (.510) record over 416 total games played.
- RealGM lists all the Pistons' playoff wins and losses, organized by round, but omit their 1954 NBA playoffs results.[72] Due to the NBA having only nine teams that season, the league used a round-robin schedule, as opposed to a traditional opening round during the playoffs. These round-robin results are omitted from RealGM's listing of playoff results by round, which are organized under opening round, conference semifinals, conference finals, and NBA Finals. The Pistons went 0–4 in the 1954 round-robin; this record is considered official by the NBA and thus included in this list.[73]
- The Hawks recorded a 6–6 (.500) win–loss record in the NBL playoffs over 12 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics.[4] If it was, they would have a 168–222 (.431) record over 396 total games played.
- The Kings recorded an 18–11 (.621) win–loss record in the NBL playoffs over 29 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics.[4] If it was, they would have a 101–122 (.453) record over 223 total games played.
- RealGM lists all the Kings' playoff wins and losses, organized by round, but omit some of their 1954 NBA playoffs results.[87] Due to the NBA having only nine teams that season, the league used a round-robin schedule, as opposed to a traditional opening round during the playoffs. These round-robin results are omitted from RealGM's listing of playoff results by round, which are organized under opening round, conference semifinals, conference finals, and NBA Finals. The Kings, then known as the Rochester Royals, went 2–1 in the 1954 round-robin; this record is considered official by the NBA and thus included in this list.[73]
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