List of all-time NBA win–loss records
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 record 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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In the regular season, the Celtics have the highest win–loss percentage, with 3,751–2,527 (.597).[6] Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have the lowest win–loss record percentage, with 1,245–1,713 (.421).[6] The Celtics also lead NBA teams in games played, with 6,278.[6] Conversely, the New Orleans Pelicans have played the fewest games, with 1,932.[6] The Celtics 3,751 wins are also a regular season record; meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings have recorded the most losses, with 3,359.[6] The Pelicans have also recorded both the fewest wins (878) and losses (1,054) in the 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][10]
At the end of the regular season, 12 teams (the top 6 teams in both the Eastern Conference and Western Conference standings) will have clinched a NBA playoffs berth. Meanwhile, the 7th-place through 10th-place teams in the two conferences enter a NBA play-in tournament, introduced during the 2020 NBA Bubble, to determine their playoffs seeding.[11][12] Through the end of the 2026 NBA play-in tournament, the Miami Heat are the most play-in tournament games played, with seven. The Heat also have recorded the most play-in wins, with four total. The Lakers have the best NBA play-in tournament record, having won all three of their games. Conversely, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers and San Antonio Spurs have the worst NBA play-in tournament record, having each lost both of their two games. The records and statistics compiled during play-in games are not included in the regular season nor playoffs figures,[13] though the NBA has included play-in statistics in separate lists on website.[14]
As accurate through the end of the second round of 2026 NBA playoffs, the Lakers have the most NBA playoffs games played (796), wins (470), losses (326) and highest playoffs winning percentage with 470–326 (.590).[15] The Hornets have the lowest NBA playoffs winning percentage with 23–40 (.365).[16] The Pelicans have the fewest playoff games played (59), wins (22) and losses (37).[17]
Active franchises
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.[11] 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 Blazers and Grizzlies would face off in a play-in game.[58]
The future of the NBA 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 NBA play-in tournament and the COVID-19 pandemic persisting into the 2020–21 NBA season, the league installed a NBA play-in tournament involving both conference's 7th-place 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 NBA play-in tournament, still in place as of the 2026 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 playoffs 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.[12]
24 teams of the NBA's 30 teams have played at least one play-in game; the 6 teams yet to participate are the Utah Jazz, Milwaukee Bucks, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons.
| Best win–loss record in division ⁂ |
| Team | GP | Won | Lost | Pct. | Division | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1.000 | Pacific ⁂ | ||
| Portland Trail Blazers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | Northwest ⁂ | ||
| Philadelphia 76ers | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | Atlantic ⁂ | ||
| Boston Celtics | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | Atlantic ⁂ | ||
| Brooklyn Nets | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | Atlantic ⁂ | ||
| New Orleans Pelicans | 4 | 3 | 1 | .750 | Southwest ⁂ | ||
| Orlando Magic | 3 | 2 | 1 | .667 | Southeast ⁂ | ||
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 3 | 2 | 1 | .667 | Northwest | ||
| Memphis Grizzlies | 5 | 3 | 2 | .600 | Southwest | ||
| Miami Heat | 7 | 4 | 3 | .571 | Southeast | ||
| Atlanta Hawks | 6 | 3 | 3 | .500 | Southeast | ||
| Indiana Pacers | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | Central ⁂ | ||
| Phoenix Suns | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | Pacific | ||
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | Northwest | ||
| Washington Wizards | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | Southeast | ||
| Dallas Mavericks | 2 | 1 | 1 | .500 | Southwest | ||
| Chicago Bulls | 5 | 2 | 3 | .400 | Central | ||
| Golden State Warriors | 6 | 2 | 4 | .333 | Pacific | ||
| Sacramento Kings | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | Pacific | ||
| Charlotte Hornets | 4 | 1 | 3 | .250 | Southeast | ||
| Toronto Raptors | 1 | 0 | 1 | .000 | Atlantic | ||
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Central | ||
| Los Angeles Clippers | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Pacific | ||
| San Antonio Spurs | 2 | 0 | 2 | .000 | Southwest | ||
| This list is accurate through the end of the 2026 NBA play-in tournament.[64] | |||||||
Playoffs
| Best win–loss record in division ⁂ |
| Champion ★ |
| Qualified for most recent playoffs ✔ |
| Team in playoff drought † |
Defunct franchises
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, Toronto Huskies, Detroit Falcons, Indianapolis Jets and Pittsburgh Ironmen 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
| Rank | Team | GP | Won | Lost | Pct. | First BAA/ NBA season | Last BAA/ NBA season | Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago Stags | 237 | 145 | 92 | .612 | 1946–47 | 1949–50 | Central⁂ |
| 2 | Washington Capitols | 271 | 157 | 114 | .579 | 1946–47 | 1950–51 | Eastern⁂ |
| 3 | Anderson Packers | 64 | 37 | 27 | .578 | 1949–50 | Eastern | |
| 4 | St. Louis Bombers | 237 | 122 | 115 | .515 | 1946–47 | 1949–50 | Western⁂ |
| 5 | Cleveland Rebels[ad] | 60 | 30 | 30 | .500 | 1946–47 | Western | |
| 6 | Indianapolis Olympians | 269 | 132 | 137 | .491 | 1949–50 | 1952–53 | Western |
| 7 | Toronto Huskies[ad] | 60 | 22 | 38 | .367 | 1946–47 | Eastern | |
| 8 | Sheboygan Red Skins | 62 | 22 | 40 | .355 | 1949–50 | Western | |
| 9 | Baltimore Bullets[ae] | 450 | 158 | 292 | .351 | 1947–48 | 1954–55 | Eastern |
| 10 | Detroit Falcons[ad] | 60 | 20 | 40 | .333 | 1946–47 | Western | |
| 11 | Waterloo Hawks | 62 | 19 | 43 | .306 | 1949–50 | Western | |
| 12 | Indianapolis Jets[ad] | 60 | 18 | 42 | .300 | 1948–49 | Western | |
| 13 | Providence Steamrollers[ad] | 168 | 46 | 122 | .274 | 1946–47 | 1948–49 | Eastern |
| 14 | Pittsburgh Ironmen[ad] | 60 | 15 | 45 | .250 | 1946–47 | Western | |
| 15 | Denver Nuggets[af] | 62 | 11 | 51 | .177 | 1949–50 | Western | |
Playoffs
| Team | GP | Won | Lost | Pct. | Titles | Division |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Bullets[ag] | 16 | 9 | 7 | .563 | 1 | Eastern⁂ |
| Anderson Packers | 8 | 4 | 4 | .500 | 0 | Eastern |
| Washington Capitols | 19 | 8 | 11 | .421 | 0 | Eastern |
| Chicago Stags | 20 | 7 | 13 | .350 | 0 | Central⁂ |
| St. Louis Bombers | 12 | 4 | 8 | .333 | 0 | Western⁂ |
| Cleveland Rebels[ad] | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | 0 | Western⁂ |
| Sheboygan Red Skins | 3 | 1 | 2 | .333 | 0 | Western⁂ |
| Indianapolis Olympians | 13 | 4 | 9 | .308 | 0 | Western |
| Detroit Falcons[ad] | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | Western |
| Waterloo Hawks | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | Western |
| Indianapolis Jets[ad] | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | Western |
| Toronto Huskies[ad] | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | Eastern |
| Providence Steamrollers[ad] | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | Eastern |
| Pittsburgh Ironmen[ad] | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | Western |
| Denver Nuggets[ah] | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 0 | Western |
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 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] If it was, they would have a 2,779–1,996 (.582) record over 4,775 total games played.
- The team began as Detroit Gems in 1946–47 NBL season. The Lakers played as the Minneapolis Lakers from 1947 in NBL and from 1948–1960 in NBA. 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 3,696–2,532 (.593) record over 6,228 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 Jazz played as the New Orleans Jazz from 1974–1979, 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 3,255–3,017 (.519) record over 6,272 total games played.
- The Rockets played as the San Diego Rockets from 1967–1971, before relocating to Houston. They have played as the Houston Rockets since the 1971–72 season.[35]
- The Nuggets began play as the Denver Rockets in the 1967–68 season, as one of the ABA's charter members. The team then 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,[36] which is not included in its NBA statistics. If it was, they would have a 2,471–2,306 (.517) record over 4,777 total games played.
- The Indiana Pacers began play in the 1967–68 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 744 games played in the ABA,[39] though these stats are not included in their NBA statistics. If it was, they would have a 2,426–2,350 (.508) record over 4,776 total games played.
- Before joining the NBA, the franchise began play in the NBL as the Buffalo Bisons in 1945–46 NBL season. 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 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 3,098–3,171 (.494) record over 6,270 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 3,097–3,302 (.484) record over 6,399 total games played.
- 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 then rebranded 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 2,909–3,398 (.461) record over 6,307 total games played.
- The Pelicans began play as the New Orleans Hornets in the 2002–03 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 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.[49] 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.[50] Meanwhile, the 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.
- 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 Jersey Americans in the 1967–68 season, then relocated to New York and rebranded as the New York Nets in 1968–69 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 2,074–2,702 (.434) record over 4,776 total games played.
- The Spurs recorded a 17–32 (.347) win–loss record in the ABA playoffs over 49 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics. If it was, they would have a 245–215 (.533) record over 460 total games played.
- RealGM lists all the Pistons' playoff wins and losses, organized by round, but omit their 1954 NBA playoffs results.[73] Due to the NBA having only 9 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.[74]
- The Pacers recorded a 69–50 (.580) win—loss record in the ABA playoffs over 119 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics. If it was, they would have a 207–193 (.518) record over 400 total games played.
- The Nuggets recorded a 27–35 (.435) win–loss record in the ABA playoffs over 62 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics. If it was, they would have a 141–183 (.435) record over 324 total games played.
- RealGM lists all the Kings' playoff wins and losses, organized by round, but omit some of their 1954 NBA playoffs results.[88] 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.[74]
- The Nets recorded a 37–32 (.536) win–loss record in the ABA playoffs over 69 games played, which is not included in their NBA statistics. If it was, they would have a 107–133 (.446) record over 240 total games played.
- This team folded prior to the BAA–NBL merger and therefore its history occurred entirely prior to the BAA becoming the NBA.
- 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.
- This team's history and records are not affiliated with the current day Denver Nuggets team.
- 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.
- This team's history and records are not affiliated with the current day Denver Nuggets team.
