List of all-time NBA win–loss records

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Tim Duncan and Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs, who have the best all-time win-loss record percentage in the NBA

The following is a listing of all 30 current National Basketball Association (NBA) teams ranked by win–loss record percentage, accurate as of the end of the 2020–21 NBA regular season. The records include wins and losses recorded by a team's playing time in the Basketball Association of America (BAA).[a] Defunct BAA/NBA franchises are also listed, provided they played at least one season, beginning with the 1949–50 NBA season, which was the first season following the merger between the BAA and the National Basketball League (NBL).[b] Additionally, the records do not count wins and losses recorded by 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 2,247–1,429 (.611).[3] The Minnesota Timberwolves have the lowest win–loss record percentage, with 1,032–1,571 (.396).[3] The Boston Celtics have recorded the most wins, with 3,493; the Sacramento Kings have recorded the most losses with 3,171.[3] The Boston Celtics lead the association with the most played games, with 5,924.[3] Conversely, the Pelicans have played the least overall games, with 1,577.[3]

After the regular season, 12 teams (the top 6 seeds per conference) automatically clinch a playoff berth. Meanwhile, the 7th through 10th seeds in both conferences enter in a Play-in Tournament to determine both conferences' final two playoff seeds. Through the end of the 2021 Play-In Tournament, the Memphis Grizzlies have played the most Play-in games (3) and recorded the most Play-in wins (2). The Golden State Warriors have conversely recorded the most Play-in losses (2), and have the lowest win–loss percentage with 0–2 (.000). The Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs also have a win percentage of .000, but have played only one game each. The Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and Portland Trail Blazers are all tied for the highest win–loss percentage in the Play-in Tournament at 1–0 (1.000).

As of the end of the Conference Semifinals of the 2021 NBA playoffs, the Los Angeles Lakers have the most post-season games played (761), wins (456), and losses (305), as well as the highest post-season winning percentage with 456–305 (.599) of any NBA team.[4] The Minnesota Timberwolves have the fewest post-season wins (18) and the lowest post-season winning percentage with 18–34 (.346).[5] The New Orleans Pelicans have the fewest post-season games played (49).[6]

Active franchises[]

Regular season[]

The following listing is accurate through the end of the 2020–21 NBA season.[7]

Larry Bird, a notable player for the Boston Celtics, the team with the most recorded wins in 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.
Best win-loss record in division
Rank Team GP Won Lost Pct. First NBA season Division Notes
1 San Antonio Spurs 3,676 2,247 1,429 .611 1976–77 Southwest
2 Los Angeles Lakers 5,814 3,453 2,361 .594 1948–49 Pacific [c]
3 Boston Celtics 5,924 3,493 2,431 .590 1946–47 Atlantic
4 Utah Jazz 3,841 2,094 1,747 .545 1974–75 Northwest [d]
5 Oklahoma City Thunder 4,414 2,366 2,048 .536 1967–68 Northwest [e]
6 Portland Trail Blazers 4,172 2,233 1,939 .535 1970–71 Northwest
7 Phoenix Suns 4,334 2,316 2,018 .534 1968–69

Pacific

8 Miami Heat 2,695 1,414 1,281 .525 1988–89 Southeast
9 Milwaukee Bucks 4,336 2,266 2,070 .523 1968–69 Central
10 Houston Rockets 4,445 2,331 2,114 .524 1967–68 Southeast [f]
11 Philadelphia 76ers 5,749 2,981 2,768 .519 1949–50 Atlantic [g]
12 Chicago Bulls 4,489 2,292 2,197 .511 1966–67

Central

13 Dallas Mavericks 3,353 1,690 1,663 .504 1980–81 Southwest
14 Indiana Pacers 3,678 1,842 1,836 .501 1976–77 Central
15 Denver Nuggets 3,677 1,826 1,851 .497 1976–77 Northwest
16 Atlanta Hawks 5,691 2,833 2,912 .493 1949–50 Southwest [h]
17 Golden State Warriors 5,913 2,867 3,046 .485 1946–47 Pacific [i]
18 New York Knicks 5,915 2,865 3,050 .484 1946–47 Atlantic
19 Detroit Pistons 5,807 2,785 3,022 .480 1948–49 Central [j]
20 Toronto Raptors 2,118 1,013 1,105 .478 1995–96 Atlantic
21 Orlando Magic 2,613 1,225 1,388 .469 1989–90 Southwest
22 Cleveland Cavaliers 4,162 1,923 2,239 .462 1970–71 Central
23 New Orleans Pelicans 1,577 726 851 .463 2002–03 Southwest [k]
24 Sacramento Kings 5,816 2,645 3,171 .455 1948–49 Pacific [l]
25 Washington Wizards 4,895 2,212 2,683 .452 1961–62 Southwest
26 Charlotte Hornets 2,523 1,111 1,412 .440 1988–89 Southwest [k]
27 Memphis Grizzlies 2,122 903 1,219 .426 1995–96 Southwest [m]
28 Brooklyn Nets 3,677 1,562 2,115 .425 1976–77 Atlantic [n]
29 Los Angeles Clippers 4,171 1,733 2,438 .415 1970–71 Pacific [o]
30 Minnesota Timberwolves 2,603 1,032 1,571 .396 1989–90 Northwest

Play-in Tournament[]

Damian Lillard led the Portland Trail Blazers to the first Play-in tournament victory in NBA history.[10]

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 season, if a conference's 9th seed was within 4 games of the 8th seed in the standings, a play-in scenario between the two seeds would be triggered.[11] The 8th seed would need to win one game, while the 9th seed would need to win two in the matchup.[11] Ultimately, the Western Conference's Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies would face off in a Play-in game.[11]

Due to a combination of the success of the Play-in tournament and the COVID-19 pandemic persisting into the NBA's 2020–21 season, the league installed a Play-in tournament involving both conference's 7th- through 10th-placed teams in the regular season standings.[12][13] 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.[14]

The future of the Play-in tournament is being explored, but many NBA reporters and analysts concur that the tournament will likely become a permanent fixture in the NBA schedule.[15][16]

The following list is accurate through the end of the 2021 Play-in Tournament games.

Best win-loss record in division
Team active in Play-in
Rank Team GP Won Lost Pct. App. Division
1
(tie)		 Boston Celtics 1 1 0 1.000 1 Atlantic
Los Angeles Lakers 1 1 0 1.000 1 Pacific
Portland Trail Blazers 1 1 0 1.000 1 Pacific
4 Memphis Grizzlies 3 2 1 .667 2 Southwest
5
(tie)		 Indiana Pacers 2 1 1 .500 1 Central
Washington Wizards 2 1 1 .500 1 Southeast
7
(tie)		 Charlotte Hornets 1 0 1 .000 1 Southeast
San Antonio Spurs 1 0 1 .000 1 Southwest
Golden State Warriors 2 0 2 .000 1 Pacific

Playoffs[]

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, who has recorded both the highest postseason win–loss percentage, and the most postseason wins in NBA history.

The following listing is accurate through the end of the 2020-21 NBA season.

Best win-loss record in division
Team active in playoffs
Team eliminated from playoffs
Team in playoff drought
Rank Team GP Won Lost Pct. Last playoff
appearance		 Titles Division
1 Los Angeles Lakers 761 456 305 .599 2021 17 Pacific
2 Boston Celtics 675 382 293 .566 2021 17 Atlantic
3 Miami Heat 249 138 111 .554 2021 3 Southeast
4 San Antonio Spurs 403 222 181 .551 2019 5 Southwest
5 Cleveland Cavaliers 229 125 104 .546 2018 1 Central
6 Golden State Warriors 349 190 159 .544 2019 6 Pacific
7 Chicago Bulls 344 186 158 .541 2017 6 Central
8 Philadelphia 76ers 459 235 224 .512 2021 3 Atlantic
9 Detroit Pistons 370 188 182 .508 2019 3 Central
10 Phoenix Suns 296 147 149 .497 2021 0 Pacific
11 Oklahoma City Thunder 331 164 167 .495 2020 1 Northwest
12 New York Knicks 380 187 193 .492 2021 2 Atlantic
13 Milwaukee Bucks 289 142 147 .491 2021 2 Central
14 Houston Rockets 322 158 164 .491 2020 2 Southwest
15 Indiana Pacers 241 115 126 .477 2020 0 Central
16 Toronto Raptors 117 55 62 .470 2020 1 Atlantic
17 Utah Jazz 286 133 153 .465 2021 0 Northwest
18 Dallas Mavericks 209 96 113 .459 2021 1 Southwest
19 Los Angeles Clippers 142 63 79 .444 2021 0 Pacific
20 Orlando Magic 133 59 74 .444 2020 0 Southeast
21 Brooklyn Nets 163 70 93 .429 2021 0 Atlantic
22 Atlanta Hawks 379 165 214 .435 2021 1 Southeast
23 Portland Trail Blazers 274 119 155 .434 2021 1 Northwest
24 Sacramento Kings 187 80 107 .428 2006 1 Pacific
25 Washington Wizards 237 99 138 .418 2021 1 Southeast
26 New Orleans Pelicans 49 20 29 .408 2018 0 Southwest
27 Denver Nuggets 205 81 124 .395 2021 0 Northwest
28 Memphis Grizzlies 80 30 50 .375 2021 0 Southwest
29 Charlotte Hornets 63 23 40 .365 2016 0 Southeast
30 Minnesota Timberwolves 52 18 34 .346 2018 0 Northwest

Defunct franchises[]

The following is a listing of the all-time win-loss records of defunct NBA franchises.[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 Denver Nuggets, Sheboygan Red Skins, and Waterloo Hawks are tied for the fewest games played, with 62.

For the purposes of the defunct franchises win-loss records listing, teams that recorded playing time in the BAA are only included if they additionally played during at least one season following the BAA–NBL merger. For this reason, the Pittsburgh Ironmen, Indianapolis Jets, Detroit Falcons, Toronto Huskies, and Cleveland Rebels are excluded.

Regular season[]

Rank Team GP Won Lost Pct. First NBA season Last NBA season
1 Chicago Stags 237 145 92 .612 1946–47 1949–50
2 Washington Capitols 271 157 114 .579 1946–47 1950–51
3 Anderson Packers 64 37 27 .578 1949–50
4 St. Louis Bombers 237 122 115 .515 1946–47 1949–50
5 Indianapolis Olympians 269 132 137 .491 1949–50 1952–53
6 Sheboygan Red Skins 62 22 40 .355 1949–50
7 Baltimore Bullets[p] 450 158 292 .351 1947–48 1954–55
8 Waterloo Hawks 62 19 43 .306 1949–50
9 Denver Nuggets[q] 62 11 51 .177 1949–50

See also[]

  • List of NBA champions
  • List of NBA playoff series
  • List of NBA teams by single season win percentage
  • NBA regular season records
  • NBA post-season records

Notes[]

  1. ^ 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 without comment.[1]
  2. ^ For the purposes of this list, 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.
  3. ^ The Lakers played in Minneapolis from 1948–1960.
  4. ^ The Utah Jazz played in New Orleans from 1974–1979.
  5. ^ The Thunder played as the Seattle SuperSonics from 1967–2008.
  6. ^ The Rockets played in San Diego from 1967–1971.
  7. ^ The 76ers played as the Syracuse Nationals from 1949–1963.
  8. ^ The Hawks would begin their NBA play in 1949 as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks, before relocating and rebranding as the Milwaukee Hawks in 1951, and then again to St. Louis in 1955, before settling as the Atlanta Hawks in 1968.
  9. ^ The Warriors played in Philadelphia Warriors from 1946–1962, before relocating to San Francisco in 1962. They would rebrand as the Golden State Warriors to begin the 1971–72 season.
  10. ^ The Pistons played in Fort Wayne from 1948–1957.
  11. ^ 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) relocating to New Orleans. The city of Charlotte 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 NBA season being their first under the Pelicans name. The Bobcats then rebranded as the Charlotte Hornets, first playing under the Hornets name in 2014.[8] This second incarnation of Charlotte Hornets retained statistics and records of the original Charlotte Hornets franchise which played from the 1988–89 NBA season to the 2001–02 NBA season, as well as the statistics and records accumulated while playing as the Bobcats.[9] Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans franchise was retroactively regarded as a 2002–03 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.
  12. ^ Predating the NBA, the Kings played their first NBA season in 1948–49 as the Rochester Royals, before relocating to Cincinnati where they played from 1957–1972. They then relocated, playing as the Kansas City–Omaha Kings from –1975 and as the Kansas City Kings from 1975–1985. Finally, the franchise settled in Sacramento in 1985.
  13. ^ The Grizzlies played in Vancouver from 1995–2001.
  14. ^ Originally an ABA team, the Nets played their first NBA season as the New York Nets from 1976–77, before relocating to New Jersey in 1977. They moved back to New York and rebranded as the Brooklyn Nets in 2012.
  15. ^ The Clippers played as the Buffalo Braves from 1970–1978, before rebranding as the Clippers and relocating to San Diego, where they played from 1978–1984. They once again relocated to Los Angeles in 1984.
  16. ^ This team's history and records are not affiliated with the current day Washington Wizards who played as the Baltimore Bullets from 1963–64 to 1972–73.
  17. ^ This team's history and records are not affiliated with the current day Denver Nuggets team.

References[]

  1. ^ "NBA Season Recaps". National Basketball Association. July 17, 2013. Archived from the original on July 17, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  2. ^ Aschburner, Steve (September 5, 2013). "We All Count Numbers But Do All Numbers Count?". Hang Time Blog. National Basketball Association. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "NBA & ABA Team Index". Basketball-Reference. Sports-Reference. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  4. ^ "NBA Teams: Los Angeles Lakers Records Year by Year". landofbasketball.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  5. ^ "NBA Teams: Minnesota Timberwolves Records Year by Year". landofbasketball.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  6. ^ "NBA Teams: New Orleans Pelicans Records Year by Year". landofbasketball.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  7. ^ "All-Time Team Records" (PDF). 2019–20 Official NBA Guide. NBA Properties, Inc. October 17, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  8. ^ Windhorst, Brian (July 19, 2013). "Charlotte Hornets back in 2014-15". ESPN. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  9. ^ Feldman, Dan (May 20, 2014). "Charlotte Hornets assume historical records from New [Orleans] Pelicans". ProBasketballTalk. NBC Sports. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
  10. ^ Stein, Marc (August 15, 2020). "Damian Lillard Gets Help Moving Portland Out of the Yacht Club". The New York Times. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "Everything you need to know about Trail Blazers play-in game(s) vs. Memphis Grizzlies". NBC Sports. August 13, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  12. ^ "NBA 2020-21 season explainer: Schedule, COVID-19 protocols, playoff format and big questions". ESPN. December 6, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "FAQ: NBA Play-In Tournament". National Basketball Association. May 17, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  15. ^ Wimbish, Jasmyn (April 27, 2021). "NBA wants to adopt postseason play-in tournament permanently, per report". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  16. ^ Feldman, Dan (April 26, 2021). "Report: NBA expected to permanently adopt play-in tournaments". NBC Sports. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
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