Regular-season wins matter very little in the NBA playoffs. That’s absolutely true, full stop.
That said, it’s rare to see a team win 60 games in the regular season, then flame out in the playoffs. Big-time success in the regular season heavily correlates with championship contention in the postseason.
Since the 1976 NBA merger, there are only four teams that have won 65 games in the regular season but didn’t win the title that year. All four instances are from the last 20 years.
These are the best teams that never won an NBA championship – according to their regular-season records, anyway.
Best NBA Teams That Didn’t Win a Championship
| Season/Team | Regular-Season Record | Playoff Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 Warriors | 73-9 | Lost to Cavaliers, 4-3, in NBA Finals |
| 2006-07 Mavericks | 67-15 | Lost to Warriors, 4-2, in First Round |
| 2008-09 Cavaliers | 66-16 | Lost to Magic, 4-2, in ECF |
| 2017-18 Rockets | 65-17 | Lost to Warriors, 4-3, in WCF |
| 2021-22 Suns | 64-18 | Lost to Mavericks, 4-3, in Second Round |
| 2005-06 Pistons | 64-18 | Lost to Heat, 4-2, in ECF |
| 1993-94 SuperSonics | 63-19 | Lost to Nuggets, 3-2, in First Round |
| 1989-90 Lakers | 63-19 | Lost to Suns, 4-1, in Second Round |
| 1984-85 Celtics | 63-19 | Lost to Lakers, 4-2, in NBA Finals |
| 1981-82 Celtics | 63-19 | Lost to 76ers, 4-3, in ECF |
| 2004-05 Suns | 62-20 | Lost to Spurs, 4-1, in WCF |
| 1997-98 Jazz | 62-20 | Lost to Bulls, 4-2, in NBA Finals |
| 1994-95 Spurs | 62-20 | Lost to Rockets, 4-2, in WCF |
| 1992-93 Suns | 62-20 | Lost to Bulls, 4-2, in NBA Finals |
| 2010-11 Spurs | 61-21 | Lost to Grizzlies, 4-2, in First Round |
| 2009-10 Cavaliers | 61-21 | Lost to Celtics, 4-2, in Second Round |
| 2003-04 Pacers | 61-21 | Lost to Pistons, 4-2, in ECF |
| 2001-02 Kings | 61-21 | Lost to Lakers, 4-3, in WCF |
| 1979-80 Celtics | 61-21 | Lost to 76ers, 4-1, in ECF |
| 2018-19 Bucks | 60-22 | Lost to Raptors, 4-2, in ECF |
| 2002-03 Mavericks | 60-22 | Lost to Spurs, 4-2, in WCF |
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