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List of NBA franchise postseason droughts

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This is a list of National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise post-season appearance droughts. This list includes the all-time and the active consecutive non-playoffs. Aside from the NBA playoff appearance droughts, this list also includes droughts of series wins, appearances in the NBA Finals and NBA championship wins. The oldest such franchise is the Suns (54 seasons), while the Royals/Kings and the Hawks have even longer championship droughts (71 and 64 seasons, respectively). Five franchises have never been to the NBA Finals, tied with the National Hockey League for the highest number among the major North American sports.[1] The oldest such team is the Braves/Clippers franchise (52 seasons); the Kings and the Hawks have appearance droughts that are even longer (71 and 61 seasons, respectively). The longest a franchise has gone without appearing in the playoffs at all is 16 seasons: the Kings franchise from 2006 to 2023.

Of the 20 franchises that have won an NBA championship, 7 have droughts of 38 seasons or more, which is to say that the past 40 championships have been shared among only 13 franchises: the Lakers (9), Bulls (6), Spurs (5), Warriors (4), Pistons (3), Celtics (3), Heat (3), Rockets (2), Mavericks (1), Cavaliers (1), Raptors (1), Bucks (1), and Nuggets (1). By contrast, the other three major North American sports have each had at least 18 franchises become champions over the same period of time.[2][3]

Active droughts

[edit]

NBA Playoffs appearance droughts

[edit]
Appearance droughts updated through May 3, 2024.
Playoff picture at NBA.com[4]
^ Longest drought in team history
† Tied for longest drought in team history
Seasons Team Last appearance
in NBA playoffs 		Reference
8 Charlotte Hornets ^ 2016 First Round [5]
5 Detroit Pistons 2019 First Round [6]
5 San Antonio Spurs ^ 2019 First Round [7]
4 Houston Rockets 2020 Western Semifinals [8]
3 Portland Trail Blazers 2021 First Round [9]
3 Washington Wizards 2021 First Round [10]
2 Utah Jazz 2022 First Round [11]
2 Toronto Raptors 2022 First Round [12]
2 Chicago Bulls 2022 First Round [13]
1 Atlanta Hawks 2023 First Round [14]
1 Brooklyn Nets 2023 First Round [15]
1 Memphis Grizzlies 2023 First Round [16]
1 Sacramento Kings 2023 First Round [17]
1 Golden State Warriors 2023 Western Semifinals [18]
2024 Playoff teams
0 Phoenix Suns 2024 First Round [19]
0 Los Angeles Lakers 2024 First Round [20]
0 New Orleans Pelicans 2024 First Round [21]
0 Miami Heat 2024 First Round [22]
0 Milwaukee Bucks 2024 First Round [23]
0 Philadelphia 76ers 2024 First Round [24]
0 Los Angeles Clippers 2024 First Round [25]
0 Orlando Magic 2024 First Round [26]
0 Cleveland Cavaliers 2024 Eastern Semifinals [27]
0 Oklahoma City Thunder 2024 Western Semifinals [28]
0 New York Knicks 2024 Eastern Semifinals [29]
0 Denver Nuggets 2024 Western Semifinals [30]
0 Indiana Pacers 2024 Eastern finals [31]
0 Minnesota Timberwolves 2024 Western finals [32]
0 Dallas Mavericks 2024 NBA finalist [33]
0 Boston Celtics 2024 NBA finals winners [34]

NBA Playoffs series win droughts

[edit]
Droughts updated through April 2024.
Playoff picture at NBA.com[4]
0^0 Longest drought in team history
0♦0 Most consecutive series losses in team history
Current Playoff series loss streak
Seasons
since win 		Team Last series win
in NBA Playoffs 		Losing
streak 		Series losses – teams Ref
20[a] Charlotte Hornets ^ 2002 Eastern First Round 4 ♦ 2002 New Jersey
2010 Orlando
2014 Miami
2016 Miami 		[5]
20 Sacramento Kings 2004 Western First Round 4 2004 Minnesota
2005 Seattle
2006 San Antonio
2023 Golden State 		[17]
16 Detroit Pistons 2008 Eastern Semifinals 4 2008 Boston
2009 Cleveland
2016 Cleveland
2019 Milwaukee 		[6]
14 Orlando Magic 2010 Eastern Semifinals 6 2010 Boston
2011 Atlanta
2012 Indiana
2019 Toronto
2020 Milwaukee
2024 Cleveland 		[26]
9 Chicago Bulls 2015 Eastern First Round 3 2015 Cleveland
2017 Boston
2022 Milwaukee 		[13]
7 Washington Wizards 2017 Eastern First Round 3 2017 Boston
2018 Toronto
2021 Philadelphia 		[10]
7 San Antonio Spurs 2017 Western Semifinals 3 2017 Golden State
2018 Golden State
2019 Denver 		[7]
6 New Orleans Pelicans 2018 Western First Round 3 2018 Golden State
2022 Phoenix
2024 Oklahoma City 		[21]
5 Portland Trail Blazers 2019 Western Semifinals 3 2019 Golden State
2020 L. A. Lakers
2021 Denver 		[9]
4 Toronto Raptors 2020 Eastern First Round 2 2020 Boston
2022 Philadelphia 		[12]
4 Houston Rockets 2020 Western First Round 1 2020 L. A. Lakers [8]
3 Utah Jazz 2021 Western First Round 2 2021 L. A. Clippers
2022 Dallas 		[11]
3 Brooklyn Nets 2021 Eastern First Round 3 2021 Milwaukee
2022 Boston
2023 Philadelphia 		[15]
3 Los Angeles Clippers 2021 Western Semifinals 3 2021 Phoenix
2023 Phoenix
2024 Dallas 		[25]
3 Atlanta Hawks 2021 Eastern Semifinals 3 2021 Milwaukee
2022 Miami
2023 Boston 		[14]
2 Milwaukee Bucks 2022 Eastern First Round 3 2022 Boston
2023 Miami
2024 Indiana 		[23]
2 Memphis Grizzlies 2022 Western First Round 2 2022 Golden State
2023 Los Angeles 		[16]
1 Philadelphia 76ers 2023 Eastern First Round 2 2023 Boston
2024 New York 		[24]
1 Phoenix Suns 2023 Western First Round 2 2023 Denver
2024 Minnesota 		[19]
1 Golden State Warriors 2023 Western First Round 1 2023 L.A. Lakers [18]
1 L.A. Lakers 2023 Western Semifinals 2 2023 Denver
2024 Denver 		[18]
1 Miami Heat 2023 Eastern Conference Finals 2 2023 Denver
2024 Boston 		[22]
z 30002024 Playoff Series 0 Winners 3000 3000
0 Cleveland Cavaliers 2024 Eastern First Round 1 2024 Boston [27]
0 Oklahoma City Thunder 2024 Western First Round 1 2024 Dallas [28]
0 New York Knicks 2024 Eastern First Round 1 2024 Indiana [18]
0 Denver Nuggets 2024 Western First Round 1 2024 Minnesota [30]
0 Indiana Pacers 2024 Eastern Semifinals 1 2024 Boston [31]
0 Minnesota Timberwolves 2024 Western Semifinals 1 2024 Dallas [32]
0 Dallas Mavericks 2024 Western Conference Finals 1 2024 Boston [33]
0 Boston Celtics 2024 NBA Finals 0 4-series win streak [34]

a Charlotte was also inactive for two years following the 2001–02 season.

NBA Conference Finals appearance droughts

[edit]
^ Longest drought in team history
Seasons Team Last appearance
in Conference Finals 		Result Reference
45 Washington Wizards ^[c] 1979 Won vs. San Antonio [10]
34 Charlotte Hornets ^ 0Never (enfranchised 1988) z — [5]
24 New York Knicks 2000 Lost vs. Indiana [29]
23 Philadelphia 76ers ^ 2001 Won vs. Milwaukee [24]
22 Sacramento Kings 2002 Lost vs. L.A. Lakers [17]
22 New Orleans Pelicans ^ 0Never (enfranchised 2002) z — [21]
21 Brooklyn Nets [d] 2003 Won vs. Detroit [15]
17 Utah Jazz 2007 Lost vs. San Antonio [11]
16 Detroit Pistons 2008 Lost vs. Boston [6]
14 Orlando Magic 2010 Lost vs. Boston [26]
13 Chicago Bulls 2011 Lost vs. Miami [13]
11 Memphis Grizzlies 2013 Lost vs. San Antonio [16]
8 Oklahoma City Thunder 2016 Lost vs. Golden State [28]
7 San Antonio Spurs 2017 Lost vs. Golden State [7]
6 Cleveland Cavaliers 2018 Won vs. Boston [27]
6 Houston Rockets 2018 Lost vs. Golden State [8]
5 Toronto Raptors 2019 Won vs. Milwaukee0 [12]
5 Portland Trail Blazers 2019 Lost vs. Golden State [9]
3 Phoenix Suns 2021 Won vs. L.A. Clippers [19]
3 Los Angeles Clippers 2021 Lost vs. Phoenix [25]
3 Milwaukee Bucks 2021 Won vs. Atlanta [23]
3 Atlanta Hawks 2021 Lost vs. Milwaukee [14]
2 Golden State Warriors 2022 Won vs. Dallas [18]
1 Denver Nuggets 2023 Won vs. L.A. Lakers [30]
1 Los Angeles Lakers 2023 Lost vs. Denver [20]
1 Miami Heat 2023 Won vs. Boston [22]
.85 Z2024 Conference Finalists 2019.5 zzz
0 Indiana Pacers 2024 Lost vs. Boston [31]
0 Boston Celtics 2024 Won vs. Indiana [34]
0 Minnesota Timberwolves 2024 Lost vs. Dallas [32]
0 Dallas Mavericks 2024 Won vs. Minnesota [33]

NBA Finals appearance droughts

[edit]
Seasons Team Last appearance
in NBA Finals 		Result Reference
73 Sacramento Kings 1951[a] Won vs. New York [17]
63 Atlanta Hawks 1961[b] Lost vs. Boston [14]
54 Los Angeles Clippers 0Never (enfranchised 1970) yyyy — [25]
45 Washington Wizards[c] 1979 Lost vs. Seattle [10]
35 Minnesota Timberwolves 0Never (enfranchised 1989) yyyy— [32]
34 Charlotte Hornets 0Never (enfranchised (1988) yyyy— [5]
32 Portland Trail Blazers 1992 Lost vs. Chicago [9]
29 Houston Rockets 1995 Won vs. Orlando [8]
29 Memphis Grizzlies 0Never (enfranchised 1995) yyyy— [16]
26 Utah Jazz 1998 Lost vs. Chicago [11]
26 Chicago Bulls 1998 Won vs. Utah [13]
25 New York Knicks 1999 Lost vs. San Antonio [29]
24 Indiana Pacers 2000 Lost vs. L. A. Lakers [31]
23 Philadelphia 76ers 2001 Lost vs. L. A. Lakers [24]
22 New Orleans Pelicans 0Never (enfranchised 2002) yyyy— [21]
21 Brooklyn Nets[d] 2003 Lost vs. San Antonio [15]
19 Detroit Pistons 2005 Lost vs. San Antonio [6]
15 Orlando Magic 2009 Lost vs. L. A. Lakers [26]
12 Oklahoma City Thunder 2012 Lost vs. Miami [28]
10 San Antonio Spurs 2014.52014 Won vs. Miami [7]
6 Cleveland Cavaliers 2018 Lost vs. Golden State [27]
5 Toronto Raptors 2019 Won vs. Golden State [12]
4 Los Angeles Lakers 2020 Won vs. Miami [20]
3 Milwaukee Bucks 2021 Won vs. Phoenix [23]
3 Phoenix Suns 2021 Lost vs. Milwaukee [19]
2 Golden State Warriors 2022 Won vs. Boston [18]
1 Denver Nuggets 02023 Won vs. Miami [30]
1 Miami Heat 02023 Lost vs. Denver [22]
0 Z2024 Finalists 2018.5 zzz
0 Dallas Mavericks 2024 Lost vs. Boston [33]
0 Boston Celtics 2024 Won vs. Dallas [34]
  • a The Sacramento Kings last appeared in the 1951 NBA Finals as the Rochester Royals. Which pre dates NBA-ABA merger.
  • b The Atlanta Hawks last appeared in the 1961 NBA Finals as the St. Louis Hawks. Which pre dates NBA-ABA merger.
  • c The Washington Wizards last appeared in the 1979 Conference Finals and NBA Finals as the Washington Bullets.
  • d The Brooklyn Nets last appeared in the 2003 Conference Finals and NBA Finals as the New Jersey Nets.

NBA championship title droughts

[edit]
Seasons Team Last NBA championship Reference
Walter A. Brown Trophy [c]
73 Sacramento Kings 1951[a] [17]
66 Atlanta Hawks 1958[b] [14]
56 Phoenix Suns 0Never (enfranchised 1968) [19]
54 Los Angeles Clippers 0Never (enfranchised 1970) [25]
51 New York Knicks 01973 [29]
50 Utah Jazz 0Never (enfranchised 1974) [11]
Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy
48 Brooklyn Nets 0Never (joined NBA in 1977) [15]
48 Indiana Pacers 0Never ((joined NBA in 1977) [31]
47 Portland Trail Blazers 1977 [9]
46 Washington Wizards[d] 1978 [10]
45 Oklahoma City Thunder[e] 1979 [28]
41 Philadelphia 76ers 1983 [24]
35 Orlando Magic 0Never (enfranchised 1989) [26]
35 Minnesota Timberwolves 0Never (enfranchised 1990) [32]
34 Charlotte Hornets 0Never (enfranchised 1988) [5]
29 Houston Rockets 1995 [8]
29 Memphis Grizzlies 0Never (enfranchised 1995) [16]
26 Chicago Bulls 1998 [13]
22 New Orleans Pelicans 0Never (enfranchised 2002) [21]
20 Detroit Pistons 2004 [6]
13 Dallas Mavericks 2011 [33]
11 Miami Heat 2013 [33]
10 San Antonio Spurs 2014 [7]
8 Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 [27]
5 Toronto Raptors 2019 [12]
4 Los Angeles Lakers 2020 [20]
3 Milwaukee Bucks 2021 [23]
2 Golden State Warriors 2022 [18]
1 Denver Nuggets 2023 [30]
0 Boston Celtics 02024 [34]
  • a The Sacramento Kings last won an NBA championship in 1951 as the Rochester Royals.
  • b The Atlanta Hawks last won an NBA championship in 1958 as the St. Louis Hawks.
  • c Pre dates the NBA-ABA merger.
  • d The Washington Wizards last won an NBA championship in 1978 as the Washington Bullets.
  • e The Oklahoma City Thunder last won an NBA championship in 1979 as the Seattle SuperSonics.

All-time droughts

[edit]

Closest approaches without winning

[edit]

Updated through the 2024 playoffs.


Last team to leave list – Denver Nuggets 2023
Team Conference Quarter-Final appearances Conference Semi-Final appearances Conference Final appearances NBA Final appearances Fewest wins short of NBA Championship
Brooklyn Nets 24 8 2 2 02 wins short : 2003
Indiana Pacers 28 11 8 1 02 wins short : 2000
Phoenix Suns 33 21 10 3 02 wins short : 1976, 1993, 2021
Utah Jazz 31 17 6 2 02 wins short : 1997, 1998
Orlando Magic 17 5 4 2 03 wins short : 2009
Los Angeles Clippers 15 7 1 6 wins short : 2021
Minnesota Timberwolves 12 2 2 06 wins short : 2004
Memphis Grizzlies 13 4 1 08 wins short : 2013
New Orleans Pelicans 9 2 9 wins short : 2008
Charlotte Hornets 10 4 9 wins short : 2001

Longest post-season droughts in team history

[edit]

Updated through the 2023–24 season.

0^0 Denotes active drought
Team Longest streak with
no post-season appearances 		Seasons
Sacramento Kings 2006–07 through 2021–22 16
Los Angeles Clippers 1976–77 through 1990–91 15
Minnesota Timberwolves 2004–05 through 2016–17 13
Golden State Warriors 1994–95 through 2005–06 12
Dallas Mavericks 1990–91 through 1999–2000 10
Phoenix Suns 2010–11 through 2019–20 10
Utah Jazz 1974–75 through 1982–83 9
Washington Wizards 1988–89 through 1995–96 8
Memphis Grizzlies 1995–96 through 2002–03 8
Denver Nuggets 1995–96 through 2002–03 8
Atlanta Hawks 1999–2000 through 2006–07 8
Charlotte Hornets ^ 2016–17 through 2023–24 8
New York Knicks 1959–60 through 1965–66
2013–14 through 2019–20		 7
Oklahoma City Thunder 1967–68 through 1973–74 7
Milwaukee Bucks 1991–92 through 1997–98 7
Philadelphia 76ers 1991–92 through 1997–98 7
Cleveland Cavaliers 1998–99 through 2004–05 7
Portland Trail Blazers 1970–71 through 1975–76 6
Detroit Pistons 1977–78 through 1982–83
2009–10 through 2014–15		 6
Boston Celtics 1995–96 through 2000–01 6
Chicago Bulls 1998–99 through 2003–04 6
Orlando Magic 2012–13 through 2017–18 6
Los Angeles Lakers 2013–14 through 2018–19 6
Houston Rockets 1969–70 through 1973–74 5
Indiana Pacers 1981–82 through 1985–86 5
Brooklyn Nets 1986–87 through 1990–91
2007–08 through 2011–12		 5
Toronto Raptors 2008–09 through 2012–13 5
San Antonio Spurs ^ 2019–20 through 2023–24 5
Miami Heat 1988–89 through 1990–91 3
New Orleans Pelicans 2004–05 through 2006–07
2011–12 through 2013–14
2018–19 through 2020–21		 3

Longest post-season series win droughts in team history

[edit]

Updated through the 2023–24 season.

0^0 Denotes active drought
Team Longest streak with
no post-season series wins 		Seasons
Los Angeles Clippers 1976–77 through 2004–05 29
Washington Wizards 1982–83 through 2003–04 22
Charlotte Hornets ^ 2004–05 through 2023–24 20
Sacramento Kings ^ 2004–05 through 2023–24 20
Minnesota Timberwolves 2004–05 through 2022–23 19
Indiana Pacers 1976–77 through 1992–93 17
Brooklyn Nets 1984–85 through 2000–01 17
Milwaukee Bucks 2001–02 through 2017–18 17
Detroit Pistons ^ 2008–09 through 2023–24 16
New York Knicks 1953–54 through 1967–68 15
Cleveland Cavaliers 1976–77 through 1990–91 15
Golden State Warriors 1991–92 through 2005–06 15
Memphis Grizzlies 1995–96 through 2009–10 15
Denver Nuggets 1994–95 through 2007–08 14
Toronto Raptors 2001–02 through 2014–15 14
Orlando Magic ^ 2010–11 through 2023–24 14
Portland Trail Blazers 2000–01 through 2012–13 13
Dallas Mavericks 1988–89 through 1999–2000 12
Houston Rockets 1997–98 through 2007–08 11
Phoenix Suns 2010–11 through 2019–20 10
Utah Jazz 1974–75 through 1982–83 9
Boston Celtics 1992–93 through 2000–01 9
Atlanta Hawks 1999–2000 through 2007–08 9
New Orleans Pelicans 2008–09 through 2016–17 9
Chicago Bulls ^ 2015–16 through 2023–24 9
Philadelphia 76ers 1968–69 through 1975–76
2003–04 through 2010–11 		8
Miami Heat 1988–89 through 1995–96 8
Oklahoma City Thunder 1967–68 through 1973–74
2016–17 through 2022–23 		7
Los Angeles Lakers 2012–13 through 2018–19 7
San Antonio Spurs ^ 2017–18 through 2023–24 7

Longest NBA Playoffs appearance droughts

[edit]
Appearance droughts updated through the 2023–24 season.
^ Denotes active drought
Team Streak (seasons) NBA Playoffs
appearance droughts 		Reference
Sacramento Kings 16 2006–2022 [17]
Buffalo Braves / San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers 15 1977–1991 [25]
Minnesota Timberwolves 13 2005–2017 [32]
Golden State Warriors 12 1995–2006 [18]
Dallas Mavericks 10 1991–2000 [33]
Phoenix Suns 10 2011–2020 [19]
New Orleans / Utah Jazz 9 1975–1983 [11]
Golden State Warriors 9 1978–1986 [18]
Sacramento Kings 9 1987–1995 [17]
Washington Bullets 8 1989–1996 [10]
Denver Nuggets 8 1996–2003 [30]
Vancouver / Memphis Grizzlies 8 1996–2003 [16]
Los Angeles Clippers 8 1998–2005 [25]
Atlanta Hawks 8 2000–2007 [14]
Charlotte Hornets ^ 8 2017–Present [5]

Longest Conference finals droughts

[edit]
Appearance droughts updated through May 13, 2023. The current Conference Finals format was introduced in 1971.
^ Denotes active drought
† Year the team joined the NBA
Seasons Team NBA Conference Finals
appearance droughts 		Reference
50 Los Angeles Clippers [a] 001971 †0– 2020 [25]
45 Washington Wizards ^[b] 1980 – present [10]
44 Atlanta Hawks 1971 – 2014 [14]
38 Golden State Warriors 1977 – 2014 [18]
34 Charlotte Hornets ^ [c] 001989 †0– present [5]
25 New Jersey Nets [d] 001977 †0– 2001 [15]
24 New York Knicks ^ 2001 – present [29]
23 Denver Nuggets 1986 – 2008 [30]
23 Philadelphia 76ers ^ 2002 – present [24]
22 Sacramento Kings 2003 – present [17]
22 New Orleans Pelicans ^ 002003†0 – present [21]
21 Brooklyn Nets ^ 2004 – present [15]
20 Toronto Raptors 01996 † – 2015 [12]
20 Sacramento Kings [e] 1982 – 2001 [17]
  • a Streak includes seasons as Buffalo Braves and San Diego Clippers.
  • b Team last qualified for the Conference Finals as Washington Bullets.
  • c Franchise inactive for two seasons between 2002 and 2004.
  • d Current Brooklyn Nets; includes one season as New York Nets.
  • e Includes four seasons as Kansas City Kings.

NBA Division Championship droughts

[edit]

Updated through the 2023–24 season.

0^0 Longest drought in team history
0♦0 2023–24 Division Champion

Left click once on Seasons since win column heading then once on Division column heading
to show teams listed in order of division championships.

Franchise Most recent title Division Seasons since win
Charlotte Hornets ^ None (enfranchised 1988–89) Southeast 34
Minnesota Timberwolves ^ 2003–04 Northwest 20
Brooklyn Nets 2005–06 Atlantic 18
New Orleans Pelicans ^ 2007–08 Southwest 16
Detroit Pistons 2007–08 Central 16
Chicago Bulls 2011–12 Central 12
New York Knicks 2012–13 Atlantic 11
Indiana Pacers 2013–14 Central 10
San Antonio Spurs 2016–17 Southwest 7
Washington Wizards 2016–17 Southeast 7
Cleveland Cavaliers 2017–18 Central 6
Portland Trail Blazers 2017–18 Northwest 6
Golden State Warriors 2018–19 Pacific 5
Toronto Raptors 2019–20 Atlantic 4
Los Angeles Lakers 2019–20 Pacific 4
Houston Rockets 2019–20 Southwest 4
Atlanta Hawks 2020–21 Southeast 3
Philadelphia 76ers 2020–21 Atlantic 3
Phoenix Suns 2021–22 Pacific 2
Utah Jazz 2021–22 Northwest 2
Sacramento Kings 2022–23 Pacific 1
Memphis Grizzlies 2022–23 Southwest 1
Miami Heat 2022-23 Southeast 1
Denver Nuggets 2022–23 Northwest 1
Boston Celtics ♦ 2023–24 Atlantic 0
Milwaukee Bucks ♦ 2023–24 Central 0
Orlando Magic ♦ 2023–24 Southeast 0
Oklahoma City Thunder ♦ 2023–24 Northwest 0
Los Angeles Clippers ♦ 2023–24 Pacific 0
Dallas Mavericks ♦ 2023–24 Southwest 0

Finals droughts

[edit]

NBA Finals in which neither team had previously won a championship

[edit]

In these instances, the matchup ensured that one team would win the first NBA championship in its history.

0*0 Both Teams in 1st NBA Finals appearance
Season Won Lost Number of years until
loser's drought ended
2006* Miami Heat Dallas Mavericks 5
1978 Washington Bullets Seattle SuperSonics (OKC) 1
1971* Milwaukee Bucks Baltimore Bullets (WAS) 7
1957* Boston Celtics St. Louis Hawks (ATL) 1
1955 Syracuse Nationals (PHI) Fort Wayne Pistons (DET)^ 34
1951* Rochester Royals (SAC)^ New York Knicks 19
1949* Minneapolis Lakers (LAL)^ Washington Capitols† folded 2 years later
1947* Philadelphia Warriors (GSW) Chicago Stags† folded 3 years later
  • ^- Team had previously appeared in the National Basketball League finals before said league was merged for the NBA's formation.
  • †- Defunct franchise.
  • Abbreviation in parentheses – Current location of NBA franchise.

NBA Finals in which neither franchise had won a championship in 20-plus seasons

[edit]

Teams that had never won the NBA championship are included, even if they were less than 20 seasons old at the time.

Season Won Drought (seasons) Lost Drought (seasons)
2021 Milwaukee Bucks 49 Phoenix Suns 52*
2015 Golden State Warriors 39 Cleveland Cavaliers 44*
2006 Miami Heat 17* Dallas Mavericks 25*
1999 San Antonio Spurs 22* New York Knicks 25
1994 Houston Rockets 26* New York Knicks 20
1978 Washington Bullets 16* Seattle SuperSonics 10*
1971 Milwaukee Bucks 2* Baltimore Bullets 9*
1957 Boston Celtics 10* St. Louis Hawks 7*
1955 Syracuse Nationals 5* Fort Wayne Pistons 6*
1951 Rochester Royals 2* New York Knicks 4*
1949* Minneapolis Lakers 0* Washington Capitols† 2*
1947 Philadelphia Warriors 0* Chicago Stags† 0*

Numbers marked with * indicates that the number is counted from either the franchise's first year in the NBA or the first year of the league (1946, then known as the BAA).

  • †- Defunct franchise.

Teams awaiting their first NBA championship

[edit]

This list includes teams within the current NBA that have never won an NBA championship—sorted by the number of seasons played in the NBA.

Last team to leave list – Denver Nuggets 2023
Total seasons
(NBA) 		Franchise Last NBA Finals
appearance
56 seasons Phoenix Suns (1969–present) 2021
54 seasons Los Angeles Clippers§ (1971–present) —
50 seasons Utah Jazz§ (1975–present) 1998
48 seasons Indiana Pacers‡ (1977–present) 2000
48 seasons Brooklyn Nets§‡ (1977–present) 2003
35 seasons Minnesota Timberwolves (1990–present) —
35 seasons Orlando Magic (1990–present) 2009
34 seasons Charlotte Hornets† (1989–2002; 2005–present) —
29 seasons Memphis Grizzlies§ (1996–present) —
22 seasons New Orleans Pelicans† (2003–present) —
Notes
  • § NBA teams that have relocated from their original city(s).
  • † NBA teams that have re-branded to/from their original concept.
  • ‡ NBA teams that have won an ABA championship.

Cities awaiting first NBA championship

[edit]

Listed according to seasons waited. Current NBA cities/regions only.

Last city to leave list: Denver, 2023
City Seasons waited Conference Title(s) NBA Team(s)
Phoenix 56 1976, 1993, 2021 Phoenix Suns (1969–present)
Atlanta 56 None Atlanta Hawks (1969–present)
Indianapolis 48 2000 Indiana Pacers (1977–present)
Salt Lake City 45 1997, 1998 Utah Jazz (1980–present)
Sacramento 39 None Sacramento Kings (1986–present)
Orlando 35 1995, 2009 Orlando Magic (1990–present)
Charlotte 34 None Charlotte Hornets (1989–2002; 2015–present)
Charlotte Bobcats (2005–2014)
New Orleans 27 None New Orleans Jazz (1974–1979)
New Orleans Hornets (2003–2013)
New Orleans Pelicans (2014–present)
Memphis 23 None Memphis Grizzlies (2002–present)
Oklahoma City 18 2012 2 New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets seasons (2006–2007)
Oklahoma City Thunder seasons (2008–present)

NBA Championship droughts by division

[edit]
Division Last NBA Championship Seasons
Southeast Division 2013 — Heat 11
Southwest Division 2014 — Spurs 10
Central Division 2021 — Bucks 3
Pacific Division 2022 — Warriors 2
Northwest Division 2023 — Nuggets 1
Atlantic Division 2024 — Celtics 0

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
General
  • "Team Index". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
Specific
  1. ^ Newberry, Paul (May 10, 2015). "NBA: NFL has most parity, NBA is most exclusive club when it comes to winning titles". Associated Press. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  2. ^ Major League Baseball has 22 different franchises that have won championships and have droughts of less than 38 years; the National Football League has 18 such franchises, and the National Hockey League has 18 such franchises.
  3. ^ Aldridge, David (June 6, 2015). "Warriors close in on title ... and keep NBA history afloat". NBA.com. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "NBA Advanced Stats–Playoff Picture". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Charlotte Hornets". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Detroit Pistons". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c d e "San Antonio Spurs". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Portland Trail Blazers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g "Washington Wizards". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "Utah Jazz". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Toronto Raptors". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Chicago Bulls". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g "Atlanta Hawks". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g "Brooklyn Nets". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  16. ^ a b c d e f "Memphis Grizzlies". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Sacramento Kings". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Golden State Warriors". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  20. ^ a b c d "Los Angeles Lakers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  21. ^ a b c d e f "New Orleans Pelicans". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  22. ^ a b c d "Miami Heat". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  23. ^ a b c d e "Milwaukee Bucks". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  24. ^ a b c d e f "Philadelphia 76ers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h "Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  26. ^ a b c d e "Orlando Magic". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  27. ^ a b c d e "Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  28. ^ a b c d e "Oklahoma City Thunder". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  29. ^ a b c d e "New York Knicks". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  30. ^ a b c d e f g "Denver Nuggets". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  31. ^ a b c d e "Indiana Pacers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  32. ^ a b c d e f "Minnesota Timberwolves". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g "Dallas Mavericks". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  34. ^ a b c d e "Boston Celtics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
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