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 39 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

NBA Playoffs appearance droughts

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

NBA Playoffs series win droughts

Droughts updated through June 16, 2022.
Playoff picture at NBA.com[4]
^ Longest drought in team history
♦ 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
19[a] Charlotte Hornets ^ 2002 Eastern First Round 4 ♦ 2002 New Jersey
2010 Orlando
2014 Miami
2016 Miami		 [5]
19 Sacramento Kings 2004 Western First Round 4 2004 Minnesota
2005 Seattle
2006 San Antonio
2023 Golden State		 [26]
19 Minnesota Timberwolves ^ 2004 Western Semifinals 4 2004 L. A. Lakers
2018 Houston
2022 Memphis
2023 Denver		 [25]
15 Detroit Pistons 2008 Eastern Semifinals 4 2008 Boston
2009 Cleveland
2016 Cleveland
2019 Milwaukee		 [6]
13 Orlando Magic 2010 Eastern Semifinals 5 2010 Boston
2011 Atlanta
2012 Indiana
2019 Toronto
2020 Milwaukee		 [8]
9 Indiana Pacers 2014 Eastern Semifinals 6 2014 Miami
2016 Toronto
2017 Cleveland
2018 Cleveland
2019 Boston
2020 Miami		 [9]
8 Chicago Bulls 2015 Eastern First Round 3 2015 Cleveland
2017 Boston
2022 Milwaukee		 [16]
7 Oklahoma City Thunder 2016 Western Semifinals 5 ♦ 2016 Golden State
2017 Houston
2018 Utah
2019 Portland
2020 Houston		 [10]
6 Washington Wizards 2017 Eastern First Round 3 2017 Boston
2018 Toronto
2021 Philadelphia		 [13]
6 San Antonio Spurs 2017 Western Semifinals 3 2017 Golden State
2018 Golden State
2019 Denver		 [7]
5 New Orleans Pelicans 2018 Western First Round 2 2018 Golden State
2022 Phoenix		 [17]
5 Cleveland Cavaliers 2018 Eastern Finals 2 2018 Golden State
2023 New York		 [21]
4 Portland Trail Blazers 2019 Western Semifinals 3 2019 Golden State
2020 L. A. Lakers
2021 Denver		 [12]
3 Toronto Raptors 2020 Eastern First Round 2 2020 Boston
2022 Philadelphia		 [15]
3 Houston Rockets 2020 Western First Round 1 2020 L. A. Lakers [11]
2 Utah Jazz 2021 Western First Round 2 2021 L. A. Clippers
2022 Dallas		 [14]
2 Brooklyn Nets 2021 Eastern First Round 3 2021 Milwaukee
2022 Boston
2023 Philadelphia		 [20]
2 Los Angeles Clippers 2021 Western Semifinals 2 2021 Phoenix
2023 Phoenix		 [22]
2 Atlanta Hawks 2021 Eastern Semifinals 3 2021 Milwaukee
2022 Miami
2023 Boston		 [19]
1 Milwaukee Bucks 2022 Eastern First Round 2 2022 Boston
2023 Miami		 [23]
1 Memphis Grizzlies 2022 Western First Round 2 2022 Golden State
2023 Los Angeles		 [24]
1 Dallas Mavericks 2022 Western Semifinals 1 2022 Golden State [18]
2022 Playoff Series Winners
1 Philadelphia 76ers 2023 Eastern First Round 1 2023 Boston [29]
1 Phoenix Suns 2023 Western First Round 1 2023 Denver [30]
1 Golden State Warriors 2023 Western First Round 1 2023 L.A. Lakers [27]
1 New York Knicks 2023 Eastern First Round 1 2023 Miami [27]
1 L.A. Lakers 2023 Western Semifinals 1 2023 Denver [27]
1 Boston Celtics 2023 Eastern Semifinals 1 2023 Miami [32]
1 Miami Heat 2023 Eastern Conference Finals 1 2023 Denver [33]
0 Denver Nuggets 2023 NBA Finals 0 n/a [34]

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

NBA Conference Finals appearance droughts

^Longest drought in team history
Seasons Team Last appearance
in Conference Finals		 Result Reference
44 Washington Wizards ^[c] 1979 Won vs. San Antonio [13]
33 Charlotte Hornets ^ Never — [5]
23 New York Knicks 2000 Lost vs. Indiana [28]
22 Philadelphia 76ers ^ 2001 Won vs. Milwaukee [29]
21 Sacramento Kings 2002 Lost vs. L. A. Lakers [26]
21 New Orleans Pelicans ^ Never — [17]
20 Brooklyn Nets [d] 2003 Won vs. Detroit [20]
19 Minnesota Timberwolves ^ 2004 Lost vs. L. A. Lakers [25]
16 Utah Jazz 2007 Lost vs. San Antonio [14]
15 Detroit Pistons 2008 Lost vs. Boston [6]
13 Orlando Magic 2010 Lost vs. Boston [8]
12 Chicago Bulls 2011 Lost vs. Miami [16]
10 Memphis Grizzlies 2013 Lost vs. San Antonio [24]
9 Indiana Pacers 2014 Lost vs. Miami [9]
7 Oklahoma City Thunder 2016 Lost vs. Golden State [10]
6 San Antonio Spurs 2017 Lost vs. Golden State [7]
5 Cleveland Cavaliers 2018 Won vs. Boston [21]
5 Houston Rockets 2018 Lost vs. Golden State [11]
4 Toronto Raptors 2019 Won vs. Milwaukee [15]
4 Portland Trail Blazers 2019 Lost vs. Golden State [12]
2 Phoenix Suns 2021 Won vs. L. A. Clippers [30]
2 Los Angeles Clippers 2021 Lost vs. Phoenix [22]
2 Milwaukee Bucks 2021 Won vs. Atlanta [23]
2 Atlanta Hawks 2021 Lost vs. Milwaukee [19]
1 Dallas Mavericks 2022 Lost vs. Golden State [18]
1 Golden State Warriors 2022 Won vs. Dallas [27]
2023 Conference Finalists
0 Denver Nuggets 2023 Won vs. L. A. Lakers [34]
0 Los Angeles Lakers 2023 Lost vs. Denver [31]
0 Miami Heat 2023 Won vs. Boston [33]
0 Boston Celtics 2023 Lost vs. Miami [32]

NBA Finals appearance droughts

Seasons Team Last appearance
in NBA Finals		 Result Reference
72 Sacramento Kings 1951[a] Won vs. New York [26]
62 Atlanta Hawks 1961[b] Lost vs. Boston [19]
53 Los Angeles Clippers Never — [22]
44 Washington Wizards[c] 1979 Lost vs. Seattle [13]
34 Minnesota Timberwolves Never — [25]
33 Charlotte Hornets Never — [5]
31 Portland Trail Blazers 1992 Lost vs. Chicago [12]
28 Houston Rockets 1995 Won vs. Orlando [11]
28 Memphis Grizzlies Never — [24]
25 Utah Jazz 1998 Lost vs. Chicago [14]
25 Chicago Bulls 1998 Won vs. Utah [16]
24 New York Knicks 1999 Lost vs. San Antonio [28]
23 Indiana Pacers 2000 Lost vs. L. A. Lakers [9]
22 Philadelphia 76ers 2001 Lost vs. L. A. Lakers [29]
21 New Orleans Pelicans Never — [17]
20 Brooklyn Nets[d] 2003 Lost vs. San Antonio [20]
18 Detroit Pistons 2005 Lost vs. San Antonio [6]
14 Orlando Magic 2009 Lost vs. L. A. Lakers [8]
12 Dallas Mavericks 2011 Won vs. Miami [18]
11 Oklahoma City Thunder 2012 Lost vs. Miami [10]
9 San Antonio Spurs 2014 Won vs. Miami [7]
5 Cleveland Cavaliers 2018 Lost vs. Golden State [21]
4 Toronto Raptors 2019 Won vs. Golden State [15]
3 Los Angeles Lakers 2020 Won vs. Miami [31]
2 Milwaukee Bucks 2021 Won vs. Phoenix [23]
2 Phoenix Suns 2021 Lost vs. Milwaukee [30]
1 Boston Celtics 2022 Lost vs. Golden State [32]
1 Golden State Warriors 2022 Won vs. Boston [27]
2023 Finalists
0 Denver Nuggets 2023 Won vs. Miami [34]
0 Miami Heat 2023 Lost vs. Denver [33]
  • 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

Seasons Team Last NBA championship Reference
Walter A. Brown Trophy [c]
72 Sacramento Kings 1951[a] [26]
65 Atlanta Hawks 1958[b] [19]
55 Phoenix Suns Never [30]
53 Los Angeles Clippers Never [22]
50 New York Knicks 1973 [28]
49 Utah Jazz Never [14]
Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy
47 Brooklyn Nets Never [20]
47 Indiana Pacers Never [9]
46 Portland Trail Blazers 1977 [12]
45 Washington Wizards[d] 1978 [13]
44 Oklahoma City Thunder[e] 1979 [10]
40 Philadelphia 76ers 1983 [29]
34 Orlando Magic Never [8]
34 Minnesota Timberwolves Never [25]
33 Charlotte Hornets Never [5]
28 Houston Rockets 1995 [11]
28 Memphis Grizzlies Never [24]
25 Chicago Bulls 1998 [16]
21 New Orleans Pelicans Never [17]
19 Detroit Pistons 2004 [6]
15 Boston Celtics 2008 [32]
12 Dallas Mavericks 2011 [18]
10 Miami Heat 2013 [33]
9 San Antonio Spurs 2014 [7]
7 Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 [21]
4 Toronto Raptors 2019 [15]
3 Los Angeles Lakers 2020 [31]
2 Milwaukee Bucks 2021 [23]
1 Golden State Warriors 2022 [27]
0 Denver Nuggets 2023 [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

Closest approaches without winning

Updated through the 2023 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 Nets248222 wins short : 2003
Indiana Pacers2710812 wins short : 2000
Phoenix Suns29211032 wins short : 1976, 1993, 2021
Utah Jazz3117622 wins short : 1997, 1998
Orlando Magic165423 wins short : 2009
Los Angeles Clippers15816 wins short : 2021
Minnesota Timberwolves11116 wins short : 2004
Memphis Grizzlies13418 wins short : 2013
New Orleans Pelicans829 wins short : 2008
Charlotte Hornets1049 wins short : 2001

Longest post-season droughts in team history

Updated through the 2022–23 season.

^ Denotes active drought
Team Longest streak with
no post-season appearances		 Seasons
Sacramento Kings2006–07 through 2021–2216
Los Angeles Clippers1976–77 through 1990–9115
Minnesota Timberwolves2004–05 through 2016–1713
Golden State Warriors1994–95 through 2005–0612
Dallas Mavericks1990–91 through 1999–200010
Phoenix Suns2010–11 through 2019–2010
Utah Jazz1974–75 through 1982–839
Washington Wizards1988–89 through 1995–968
Memphis Grizzlies1995–96 through 2002–038
Denver Nuggets1995–96 through 2002–038
Atlanta Hawks1999–2000 through 2006–078
New York Knicks1959–60 through 1965–66
2013–14 through 2019–20		7
Oklahoma City Thunder1967–68 through 1973–747
Milwaukee Bucks1991–92 through 1997–987
Philadelphia 76ers1991–92 through 1997–987
Cleveland Cavaliers1998–99 through 2004–057
Charlotte Hornets ^2016–17 through 2022–237
Portland Trail Blazers1970–71 through 1975–766
Detroit Pistons1977–78 through 1982–83
2009–10 through 2014–15		6
Boston Celtics1995–96 through 2000–016
Chicago Bulls1998–99 through 2003–046
Orlando Magic2012–13 through 2017–186
Los Angeles Lakers2013–14 through 2018–196
Houston Rockets1969–70 through 1973–745
Indiana Pacers1981–82 through 1985–865
Brooklyn Nets1986–87 through 1990–91
2007–08 through 2011–12		5
Toronto Raptors2008–09 through 2012–135
San Antonio Spurs ^2019–20 through 2022–234
Miami Heat1988–89 through 1990–913
New Orleans Pelicans2004–05 through 2006–07
2011–12 through 2013–14
2018–19 through 2020–21		3

Longest post-season series win droughts

Updated through the 2022–23 season.

^ Denotes active drought
Team Longest streak with
no post-season series wins		 Seasons
Los Angeles Clippers1976–77 through 2004–0529
Washington Wizards1982–83 through 2003–0422
Sacramento Kings1981–82 through 1999–200019
Minnesota Timberwolves ^2004–05 through 2021–2218
Charlotte Hornets ^2004–05 through 2021–2218
Indiana Pacers1976–77 through 1992–9317
Brooklyn Nets1984–85 through 2000–0117
Milwaukee Bucks2001–02 through 2017–1817
New York Knicks1953–54 through 1967–6815
Cleveland Cavaliers1976–77 through 1990–9115
Golden State Warriors1991–92 through 2005–0615
Memphis Grizzlies1995–96 through 2009–1015
Denver Nuggets1994–95 through 2007–0814
Toronto Raptors2001–02 through 2014–1514
Detroit Pistons1962–63 through 1974–7513
Portland Trail Blazers2000–01 through 2012–1313
Dallas Mavericks1988–89 through 1999–200012
Orlando Magic1996–97 through 2006–0711
Houston Rockets1997–98 through 2007–0811
Phoenix Suns2010–11 through 2019–2010
Utah Jazz1974–75 through 1982–839
Boston Celtics1992–93 through 2000–019
Atlanta Hawks1999–2000 through 2007–089
New Orleans Pelicans2008–09 through 2016–179
Philadelphia 76ers1968–69 through 1975–76
2003–04 through 2010–11		8
Miami Heat1988–89 through 1995–968
Chicago Bulls1998–99 through 2005–068
Oklahoma City Thunder1967–68 through 1973–747
Los Angeles Lakers2012–13 through 2018–197
San Antonio Spurs1983–84 through 1988–896

Longest NBA Playoffs appearance droughts

Appearance droughts updated through the 2022–23 season.
^Denotes active drought
Team Streak (seasons) NBA Playoffs
appearance droughts		 Reference
Sacramento Kings 16 2006–2022 [26]
Buffalo Braves / San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers 15 1977–1991 [22]
Minnesota Timberwolves 13 2005–2017 [25]
Golden State Warriors 12 1995–2006 [27]
Dallas Mavericks 10 1991–2000 [18]
Phoenix Suns 10 2011–2020 [30]
New Orleans / Utah Jazz 9 1975–1983 [14]
Golden State Warriors 9 1978–1986 [27]
Sacramento Kings 9 1987–1995 [26]
Washington Bullets 8 1989–1996 [13]
Denver Nuggets 8 1996–2003 [34]
Vancouver / Memphis Grizzlies 8 1996–2003 [24]
Los Angeles Clippers 8 1998–2005 [22]
Atlanta Hawks 8 2000–2007 [19]

Longest Conference finals droughts

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] 1971 †– 2020 [22]
44 Atlanta Hawks 1971 – 2014 [19]
44 Washington Wizards ^[b] 1980 – present [13]
38 Golden State Warriors 1977 – 2014 [27]
33 Charlotte Hornets ^ [c] 1989 †– present [5]
25 New Jersey Nets [d] 1977 †– 2001 [20]
23 Denver Nuggets 1986 – 2008 [34]
23 New York Knicks ^ 2000 – present [28]
22 Philadelphia 76ers ^ 2001 – present [29]
21 Sacramento Kings 2002 – present [26]
21 New Orleans Pelicans ^ 2002† – present [17]
20 Brooklyn Nets ^ 2003 – present [20]
20 Toronto Raptors 1996 † – 2015 [15]
20 Sacramento Kings [e] 1982 – 2001 [26]
  • 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

Updated through the 2022–23 season.

^ Longest drought in team history
♦ 2022–23 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 Southeast 33
Minnesota Timberwolves 2003–04 Northwest 19
Brooklyn Nets 2005–06 Atlantic 17
New Orleans Pelicans ^ 2007–08 Southwest 15
Detroit Pistons 2007–08 Central 15
Chicago Bulls 2011–12 Central 11
New York Knicks 2012–13 Atlantic 10
Indiana Pacers 2013–14 Central 9
Los Angeles Clippers 2013–14 Pacific 9
Oklahoma City Thunder 2015–16 Northwest 7
San Antonio Spurs 2016–17 Southwest 6
Washington Wizards 2016–17 Southeast 6
Cleveland Cavaliers 2017–18 Central 5
Portland Trail Blazers 2017–18 Northwest 5
Orlando Magic 2018–19 Southeast 4
Golden State Warriors 2018–19 Pacific 4
Toronto Raptors 2019–20 Atlantic 3
Los Angeles Lakers 2019–20 Pacific 3
Houston Rockets 2019–20 Southwest 3
Atlanta Hawks 2020–21 Southeast 2–3
Philadelphia 76ers 2020–21 Atlantic 2
Dallas Mavericks 2020–21 Southwest 2–3
Phoenix Suns 2021–22 Pacific 1–2
Utah Jazz 2021–22 Northwest 1–2
Boston Celtics ♦ 2022–23 Atlantic 0–1
Sacramento Kings ♦ 2022–23 Pacific 0–1
Memphis Grizzlies ♦ 2022–23 Southwest 0–1
Miami Heat ♦ 2022-23 Southeast 0–1
Denver Nuggets ♦ 2022–23 Northwest 0–1
Milwaukee Bucks ♦ 2022–23 Central 0–1

Finals droughts

NBA Finals in which neither team had previously won a championship

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

* Both Teams in 1st NBA Finals appearance
SeasonWonLostNumber of years until
drought ended
2006*Miami HeatDallas Mavericks5
1978Washington BulletsSeattle SuperSonics (OKC)1
1971*Milwaukee BucksBaltimore Bullets (WAS)7
1957*Boston CelticsSt. Louis Hawks (ATL)1
1955Syracuse Nationals (PHI)Fort Wayne Pistons (DET)^34
1951*Rochester Royals (SAC)^New York Knicks19
1949*Minneapolis Lakers (LAL)^Washington Capitols†defunct 2 years later
1947*Philadelphia Warriors (GSW)Chicago Stags†defunct 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

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

SeasonWonDrought (seasons)LostDrought (seasons)
2021Milwaukee Bucks49Phoenix Suns52*
2015Golden State Warriors39Cleveland Cavaliers44*
2006Miami Heat17*Dallas Mavericks25*
1999San Antonio Spurs22*New York Knicks25
1994Houston Rockets26*New York Knicks20
1978Washington Bullets16*Seattle SuperSonics10*
1971Milwaukee Bucks2*Baltimore Bullets9*
1957Boston Celtics10*St. Louis Hawks7*
1955Syracuse Nationals5*Fort Wayne Pistons6*
1951Rochester Royals2*New York Knicks4*
1949*Minneapolis Lakers0*Washington Capitols†2*
1947Philadelphia Warriors0*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

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
55 seasons Phoenix Suns (1969–present) 2021
53 seasons Los Angeles Clippers§ (1971–present) —
49 seasons Utah Jazz§ (1975–present) 1998
47 seasons Indiana Pacers‡ (1977–present) 2000
47 seasons Brooklyn Nets§‡ (1977–present) 2003
34 seasons Minnesota Timberwolves (1990–present) —
34 seasons Orlando Magic (1990–present) 2009
33 seasons Charlotte Hornets† (1989–2002; 2005–present) —
28 seasons Memphis Grizzlies§ (1996–present) —
21 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

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)
Phoenix551976, 1993, 2021Phoenix Suns (1969–present)
Atlanta55NoneAtlanta Hawks (1969–present)
Indianapolis472000Indiana Pacers (1977–present)
Salt Lake City441997, 1998Utah Jazz (1980–present)
Sacramento38NoneSacramento Kings (1986–present)
Orlando341995, 2009Orlando Magic (1990–present)
Charlotte33NoneCharlotte Hornets (1989–2002; 2015–present)
Charlotte Bobcats (2005–2014)
New Orleans26NoneNew Orleans Jazz (1974–1979)
New Orleans Hornets (2003–2013)
New Orleans Pelicans (2014–present)
Memphis22NoneMemphis Grizzlies (2002–present)
Oklahoma City1720122 New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets seasons (2006–2007)
Oklahoma City Thunder seasons (2008–present)

NBA Championship droughts by division

Division Last NBA Championship Seasons
Southeast Division2013 — Heat10
Southwest Division2014 — Spurs9
Atlantic Division2019 — Raptors4
Central Division2021 — Bucks2
Pacific Division2022 — Warriors1
Northwest Division2023 — Nuggets0

See also

References

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. 1 2 "NBA Advanced Stats–Playoff Picture". NBA.com. NBA Media Ventures, LLC. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Charlotte Hornets". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Detroit Pistons". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "San Antonio Spurs". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Orlando Magic". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Indiana Pacers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 "Oklahoma City Thunder". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 "Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Portland Trail Blazers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Washington Wizards". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Utah Jazz". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Toronto Raptors". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 "Chicago Bulls". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "New Orleans Pelicans". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Dallas Mavericks". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Atlanta Hawks". basketball-reference.com. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Brooklyn Nets". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "Milwaukee Bucks". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Memphis Grizzlies". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Minnesota Timberwolves". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  26. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Sacramento Kings". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Golden State Warriors". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 "New York Knicks". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  29. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Philadelphia 76ers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  30. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  31. 1 2 3 4 "Los Angeles Lakers". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 "Boston Celtics". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 "Miami Heat". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Denver Nuggets". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.