Ranking The NBA Teams With The Best Away Records Of All-Time

It is always challenging for any team in any sport to win in enemy territory. NBA teams have found it especially difficult to win on the road with zero franchises boasting a winning record in away games in the league’s history. As we did recently with NBA teams and their home records, we will rank and break down the teams who have won the highest percentage of games away from the comfort of their home courts.

T1. Los Angeles Lakers – 48.3% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 1,374-1,473

Sharing the top spot among NBA teams with the best record on the road in NBA history is the 17-time NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers. As one of the most storied and successful franchises in all of sports history, the Lakers’ spot atop this list was inevitable just as it was for teams with the best home records. With a franchise built on the backs of some of the greatest players ever, their presence on the top of most statistical lists is no longer a surprise to anyone.

If you guessed that their best season on the road would come in one of those championship seasons, then you would be correct. If you guessed the season as the famous 1971-72 team, you would be correct again. The 1972 Lakers finished with a 31-7 record in away games which aided in their finish at 69-13 on the year. After sweeping the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs and taking down the Bucks in the Conference Finals, the Lakers marched toward the Finals for a rematch from 1970 with the New York Knicks.

This series would not be nearly as close as the 1970 classic between the Knicks and Lakers. Los Angeles was the far superior team in this season, winning the NBA championship in five games. Lakers center Wilt Chamberlain was named Finals MVP, averaging 19.4 points and 23.2 rebounds per game in the series win. 

T1. San Antonio Spurs – 48.3% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 921-985

Another one of the most successful franchises in NBA history is the San Antonio Spurs. Already revealed as the team with the best overall home record ever, the Spurs share that same title in away games with the Lakers with a winning percentage of 48.3%. In their history, the Spurs have captured five NBA championships since joining the NBA following the ABA/NBA merger.

Both the 2014 and 2017 Spurs teams matched the best record in away games in a season at 30-11. In 2014, the 30-11 record in away games would lead to an NBA Finals berth for the second season in a row. Kawhi Leonard would lead the Spurs to a five-game series win over the Miami Heat for their first NBA title since 2007.

The 2017 was not as lucky as the 2014 team. Although they would finish with a 30-11 record on the road that season, the Spurs were no match for the Golden State Warriors armed with a Big 4 of Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. The Spurs would be swept in four games in the Conference by Golden State after an injury to Kawhi Leonard all but sealed their fate.

3. Boston Celtics – 48.0% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 1,409-1,518

The Boston Celtics sit tied atop the NBA leaderboard for the most championships in NBA history with 17. Obtaining that level of success takes a sustained level of winning that has only been exceeded by two other teams in the history of basketball. In their existence, the Celtics have recorded nearly half their seasons with a .500 record or better on the road, steadily approaching becoming the first team to achieve a winning record in away games.

With all of the winning they have done in their history, the Celtics’ best season on the road would come in 1973-73. During that season, they would go 32-8 on the road as they went on to win 68 games to just 14 losses on the year. After defeating the Hawks in the first round of the playoffs, the Celtics were set to take on the Knicks in the Conference Finals. The series would go seven games where in Game 7, the Knicks blew the Celtics off the floor with 25 points and 10 rebounds from Walt Frazier.

4. Miami Heat – 43.3% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 614-803

With a culture built around success, it comes as no surprise that the Miami Heat rank in the top five of the NBA teams with the best road records in NBA history. When talking about the Miami Heat, we are talking about a team with three NBA championships and seven NBA finals appearances in their short history with no shortage of greatness from the beginning of their existence to their modern-day success.

Believe it or not, the best season that Miami ever put forth on the road was not during any of their championship seasons or run to the NBA Finals. It came in 1996-97 when the team went 32-9 on the road on their way to 61 wins in total. With their best season in franchise history behind them, they went to the NBA playoffs with all the momentum in the world.

The Heat fought hard in their first two playoff series, needing five games to defeat the Magic and seven games to defeat the Knicks. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they would hit a roadblock in the form of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. It took just five games for Chicago to dash Miami’s hopes for a trip to the NBA Finals.

5. Oklahoma City Thunder – 42.1%

Overall Away Record: 948-1,302

Another team sporting one of the worst home records in NBA history was the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder make up for their struggles at home with a 42.1% winning percentage in away games for the fifth-best mark among current NBA teams. In their rich history as both the SuperSonics and Thunder, the franchise has celebrated one NBA championship in 1979 as well as two other trips to the NBA finals since that win.

One of those trips to the Finals would come in the 2011-12 season led by the trio of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. This Oklahoma City team would go 21-12 on the road en route to 47 wins during a 66-game season. The season earned the Thunder the first seed in the NBA playoffs as they steamrolled toward the NBA finals.

With wins over the Mavericks, Lakers, and Spurs in the playoffs, the Thunder advanced to the NBA Finals to take on the Miami Heat led by their own Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Miami would make quick work of the Thunder in five games as they captured their second NBA title with James’ first Finals MVP win.

6. Dallas Mavericks – 41.9% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 731-1,013

Even though the Dallas Mavericks have an overall home record that ranks among the worst teams in NBA history, their overall away record nearly cracks the top five at 41.9%. The Mavericks have always been able to defy the odds, evidenced by their lone championship run in 2011. Although their road record is impressive by any account, their best season away from home came in one of the most embarrassing seasons in team history.

The 2007 Dallas Mavericks looked like title favorites heading into the playoffs that season. They were armed with the MVP Dirk Nowitzki and coming off a collapse in the 2006 NBA Finals. They responded with a 31-10 record in away games in 2007 which led to a 67-15 record overall. With the first overall seed locked in, the Mavericks set out to capture their first NBA title.

That would not be the case, however, as the Mavericks were met by the 2007 We Believe Warriors. Led by Baron Davis and a team full of scrappy, physical players, the Warriors embarrassed Dallas in six games, bringing their championship hopes to a screeching halt.

7. Phoenix Suns – 41.7% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 923-1,288

The Phoenix Suns are in a unique position as the team with the seventh-best road record in NBA history. With their 41.7% winning percentage in away games, the Suns are the best franchise in road games among the 11 that have never won an NBA championship which is a double-edged sword if you ask me.

There have been two occasions in which the Suns have won at least 30 games on the road. The first came in 2005 led by MVP Steve Nash when they went 31-10 on the road en route to 62 wins. The next came in 2022 when they went 32-9 on the road, winning a franchise-record 64 games in the process.

While they were great during the regular season, it did not prevent them from collapsing in the second round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks. In an incredibly one-sided game 7 to determine the series, Phoenix was embarrassed by 33 points led by superstar Luka Doncic of Dallas. Phoenix had just wasted the best season in franchise history in more ways than one.30. Los Angeles Clippers – 31.1% Winning Percentage

8. Milwaukee Bucks – 41.5% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 921-1,300

The Milwaukee Bucks are another team in the top 10 who have won multiple championships in their team’s history Both the 1971 and 2021 teams were amazing on the road, recording a winning record in away games both seasons in which they went on to become NBA championships. Even with their success on the road in those two seasons, the Bucks experienced their best performance on the road in a season they didn’t win anything.

The 1971-72 Bucks were led by the second straight MVP season from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who averaged 34.8 points and 16.6 rebounds per game. They finished with a 63-19 overall record backed by their 27-12 performance in road games. The Bucks would need just five games in their first playoff matchup against the Warriors before advancing to the Conference Finals against the Lakers.

Milwaukee’s luck would run out in the series against Los Angeles. Despite the duo of Oscar and Kareem playing a strong series, the Lakers would eliminate the Bucks in six games to advance to the NBA finals. Milwaukee would not make it back to the series until 1974 against the Celtics.

9. Philadelphia 76ers – 40.7% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 1,141-1,662

In their franchise’s history, the 76ers have won three championships in 1955, 1967, and 1983. The 1955 team is the only one of those three teams to finish with a losing record in road games for the 76ers. Although the 1983 championship squad won 30 games on the road, it was just shy of the 1967 team for the best winning percentage in away games.

Led by Wilt Chamberlain and Hal Greer, the 1967 76ers won 76.5% of their road games with a record of 26-8. After defeating the Royals and Celtics handily in the first two rounds of the playoffs, the Sixers would take down the Warriors in six games in the NBA Finals. In the series, the Sixers would go 2-1 on the road including the series-clinching Game 6 that gave Philadelphia just their second NBA title ever.

T10. Chicago Bulls – 40.5% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 919-1,350

In their team’s history, the Chicago Bulls had their most successful run during the 1990s led by the GOAT Michael Jordan. During that decade, the Bulls would win six NBA championships which included a winning road record for all six championship runs. No surprise there as it didn’t matter where they played, Jordan dominated the competition.

Of all of these winning seasons away from home, none were more amazing than their 33-8 record on the road in 1995-96. In a season the Bulls won 72 games, an NBA record at the time, they took care of business almost every time they had to travel away from home. En route to their fourth championship of the decade, the Bulls took out the Heat, Knicks, and Magic on their way to the Finals.

In the Finals, the Seattle SuperSonics fell victim to the Bulls’ wrath as Chicago captured the NBA title in six games. Even with their great road record and series win, the Bulls went just 1-2 against Seattle on the road in the Finals.

T10. Houston Rockets – 40.5% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 907-1,335

You will notice that as we move up this list, the teams we reveal will be some of the more successful in NBA history with multiple championships and an overall winning resume. This brings us to the Houston Rockets, two-time NBA champions who have won 40.5% of their away games since entering the NBA in 1967-68.

In those 57 seasons of play, the Rockets have had 17 in which they have recorded a winning record in away games but none were ever as close to as dominant as the 2017-18 season. During James Harden’s 2018 MVP campaign with a league-leading 30.4 points per game, the Rockets would go 31-10 on the road and finish with an overall record of 65-17.

The Rockets would make the first two series look easy with five-game wins over Minnesota and Utah in the first two rounds. Unfortunately, up next were the Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry-led Warriors. Even with a 3-2 series lead, Houston could not seal the deal and ended up folding in seven games to the eventual NBA champions.

T12. Toronto Raptors – 40.1% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 451-624

As one of the newer teams in NBA history, the Toronto Raptors find themselves tied for the 12th-best away record in NBA history with a 40.1% winning percentage and just over 450 wins. In their 29-year history, the Raptors have had just eight seasons with a winning record on the road which includes their 2019 championship season. Although they were champions in 2019, their 26-15 road record is only the second-best in team history.

Toronto’s best road season would come following their championship run in 2019-20. Even with the departure of Kawhi Leonard, the Raptors remained a force to be reckoned with, going 27-9 in road games for a winning percentage of 75.0%. This led to 53 wins and 19 losses for Toronto before the season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With a berth in the playoffs, the Raptors were allowed to defend their title in the bubble. After a four-game sweep of the Nets in the first round, the Raptors would meet their match in the semifinals. In a seven-game thriller, the Raptors would fall to the Celtics in seven games. They have not been back to the second round of the playoffs since.

T12. Utah Jazz – 40.1% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 798-1,193

It is incredibly rare to see a team without a single NBA championship this high up on a list of teams with the best away records but the Utah Jazz are no ordinary team. In their history, a host of elite talent has led them to the highest of highs during the regular season, nearly cracking the top 10 for the best records in away games.

Of their 12 seasons with a winning record on the road, no Utah Jazz team performed better away from home than the 1994-95 squad. This Jazz team won 65.9% of their road games with a record of 27-14 leading to a 60-22 record overall and a trip to the NBA playoffs. Led by the duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone, the Jazz headed into the playoffs with high hopes of a run to the NBA Finals. Those hopes were quickly dashed.

Led by Clyde Drexler and Hakeem Olajuwon, the Houston Rockets would defeat the Jazz in a close five-game series in the first round of the playoffs. While the Jazz reeled from their loss at home, the Rockets went on to win their second straight NBA championship, a tough pill to swallow for Jazz fans at the time.

14. Portland Trail Blazers – 39.8% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 853-1,290

Kicking off the top half of our list of NBA teams is the final organization that has not won at least 40.0% of their road games. The Portland Trail Blazers just missed the 40.0% mark with an overall road winning percentage of 39.8% with a record of 853 wins to 1,290 losses.

In their team’s history, Portland has put forth 14 seasons with a winning record in away games in their franchise’s history. The 1999-00 squad holds the distinction as the Portland team with their best record on the road, winning 70.7% of their games with a 29-12 record. This Trail Blazers team was the best they had seen in a decade, winning 59 games overall led by Rasheed Wallace, Scottie Pippen, and Steve Smith.

After wins over the Timberwolves and Jazz in the playoffs, the Trail Blazers were set to take on the Lakers and MVP Shaquille O’Neal. Despite their best efforts, Portland would fall in seven games to Los Angeles who were on their way to their first of three straight NBA championships.

15. New York Knicks – 38.4% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 1,112-1,785

As one of the oldest franchises in NBA history, it is pretty impressive that a Knicks franchise ridiculed for their lack of success sits in the middle of the pack when it comes to their overall record in away games. In 78 seasons, the Knicks have recorded 22 seasons with at least a .500 record in away games, by far the most on this list so far.

No other season was more successful than their 1969-70 championships season. Willis Reed would lead the Knicks to 60 wins while capturing the MVP award averaging 21.7 points and 13.9 rebounds per game. The Knicks finished 27-10 on the road that season and continued their success through the NBA playoffs.

After taking down the Bullets and Bucks in the Eastern Division playoffs, the Knicks were set to meet the Lakers in the NBA finals. In a thrilling seven-game series, New York was led to its first NBA title by Finals MVP Willis Reed as well as inspired Game 7 performance of 36 points and 19 assists from Walt Frazier.

16. New Orleans Pelicans – 37.9% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 325-532

Originally making their debut as the New Orleans Hornets, the Pelicans have the 16th-best road record in NBA history with a 325-532 record or a 37.9% winning percentage. Regarding their success in road games, the Pelicans have made just nine playoff appearances in 22 years and are yet another team without an NBA Finals appearance in their history.

In 2007-08, the Hornets/Pelicans were led by MVP candidate Chris Paul with 21.1 points, 11.6 assists, and 2.7 steals per game. That Hornets team would go 56-26 overall backed by their 26-15 record in away games. While they became Southwest Division champions, the Hornets would annihilate the Mavericks in five games in the first round of the playoffs. In the next round, they would battle valiantly but fall in seven games to the San Antonio Spurs.

17. Indiana Pacers – 37.1% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 707-1,198

The Indiana Pacers are yet another franchise on this list that has failed to match their ABA success after joining the NBA in 1976-77. The Pacers won three ABA titles in just nine seasons while failing to capture one in the 48 years of basketball they have played in the NBA.

With a 37.1% winning percentage on the road in franchise history, the Pacers have had nine seasons in which they recorded a winning record in away games. Of these nine seasons, Indiana had their best road stretch during the 2003-04 season when they went 27-14 in away games and won 61 games overall.

Led by Metta World Peace and Jermaine O’Neal, the Pacers would take down the Celtics and Heat in each of their first two playoff series. In the Eastern Conference Finals, they would fall in six games to the Detroit Pistons preceding their infamous Malice At The Palace brawl in 2004-05. In the series, the Pacers would go 1-2 in road games.

18. Orlando Magic – 36.5% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 501-873

Debuting in 1989-90, the Orlando Magic have one of the more surprising away records in NBA history. The Magic have the 18th-best record in road games over the years with 501 wins compared to 873 losses. Of their five winning seasons on the road in team history, their best years came in consecutive seasons in 2008 and 2009.

With a record of 27-14 on the road in 2008, the Magic would go on to win 52 games and advance to the NBA playoffs. After a dominant first-round win over the Raptors, the Magic would fall short that season, losing to five games in the following round to the Detroit Pistons. In 2009, led by MVP candidate Dwight Howard, the Magic would match their 27-14 road record. That team would finish with an even better overall record at 59-23.

Coming off one of the best regular seasons in team history, the Magic would defeat the 76ers, Celtics, and Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference playoffs. In the NBA finals against the Lakers, the Magic were no match for the duo of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol as they lost the Finals in five games.

19. Atlanta Hawks – 36.4% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 1,016-1,855

The Atlanta Hawks have not won an NBA championship since the days of Bob Pettit and Cliff Hagan in 1958. Despite their drought as champions, the Hawks are one of six teams in NBA history with 1,000 total wins in away games in NBA history and also hold the 19th-best road record ever.

The Hawks have seen their fair share of success in away games over the years, recording nine seasons with a winning record on the road. Their best season would come in 1968-69, winning 62.9% of their away games with a record of 22-13. Led by Lou Hudson and Zelmo Beaty, the Hawks would win 48 games in total that season and finish second in the NBA’s Western Division.

In the NBA playoffs, the Hawks would get their playoff run started with a six-game series win over the Rockets. Unfortunately, this set them up for a matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers led by Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain who overpowered the Hawks in five games.

20. Golden State Warriors – 36.1% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 1,046-1,855

By every measure that we can use, the Golden State Warriors are one of the most successful teams in NBA history. Winners of seven NBA championships, the Warriors have been a model for success in team history, especially since 2015 capturing four championships since that season commenced.

A team cannot find that level of success in the NBA without having stretches where they dominate the competition in away games. In 2016, the Warriors made history by winning 73 games and breaking the regular season record set by the Bulls in 1996 with 72 wins. During their record-breaking season, the Warriors would go 34-7 on the road, winning 82.9% of their games away from home.

The Warriors’ overall dominance no matter where they played led them to their second straight trip to the NBA Finals. There, they would build a 3-1 lead over the Cavaliers heading into Game 5. On the brink of another NBA title, the Warriors would collapse epically and lose three straight games in one of the biggest playoff upsets ever seen on a basketball court.

21. Detroit Pistons – 35.6% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 992-1,791

The Detroit Pistons are just nine road wins away from becoming the seventh team in NBA history to win 1,000 away games. While that milestone is close, don’t expect it to come anytime soon as Detroit is currently in the midst of one of the worst losing streaks in NBA history. The Pistons have performed historically well compared to the other teams on this list in away games with 12 seasons of winning basketball played on the road.

The 2005-06 and 2006-07 teams are tied atop franchise history with the best record in away games. Both of these teams won 65.9% of their games on the road in consecutive seasons although both seasons would end in disappointment. After winning 64 games in 2006, the Pistons would lose to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. In 2007, the Pistons would be taken down once again in the Conference Finals by a young LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

All three of the Pistons’ championship teams in 1989, 1990, and 2004 all posted winning records on the road as well, proving that success in away games will almost certainly lead to ultimate team success in the long run.

22. Denver Nuggets – 35.1% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 670-1,239

It is hard to believe that only 22 teams in NBA history have a 35.0% winning percentage or better in away games. The first one of those teams is the Denver Nuggets who earned their first NBA championship in team history less than a year ago in 2022-23. Even during their championship season, the Nuggets were 19-22 on the road, showing us that even the best teams struggle away from home.

The Nuggets’ best season on the road came two years before their championship in 2021. The Nuggets won 61.1% of their road games that season with a 22-14 record on the road led by MVP Nikola Jokic who averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. The Nuggets would win 47 games overall as Jokic navigated losing key teammates to injury such as Jamal Murray.

Their 47 wins were good enough to earn them the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs. They would go on to defeat Portland in six games in the first round of the playoffs behind a historic series from Jokic. That is where things would end for Denver as they ran into the red-hot Phoenix Suns in round two. The Suns would sweep Denver in four games en route to a Western Conference championship and berth in the NBA Finals.

23. Charlotte Hornets – 34.6% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 460-869

With a 34.6% winning percentage in their team’s history in away games, it is no surprise that the Charlotte Hornets are also one of the 11 NBA teams yet to capture a Larry O’Brien Trophy. The Hornets have had minimal success as a whole in their team’s history with just five seasons with a winning record in away games.

The best the Hornets have ever performed on the road was during the 1996-97 season. Led by Glen Rice’s 26.8 points per game and the leadership of coach Dave Cowens, the Hornets would go 24-17 in away games in 1996-97 leading to a 54-28 record overall. The Hornets qualified for the NBA playoffs where they were set to take on the Knicks in the first round.

Although they were road warriors that season, the Knicks handled the Hornets with ease in the series, sweeping the Hornets in three straight games. The Hornets lost back-to-back road games to begin the series in New York, failing to recover even when they returned to their home court in Game 3.

24. Cleveland Cavaliers – 34.3% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 732-1,402

The Cleveland Cavaliers have been one of the worst teams in NBA history on the road, winning just 34.3% of their away games since the 1970-71 season. The Cavaliers are unlike most of the teams at the bottom of this list in that they have been named NBA champions once in 2016. Coincidentally, the 2015-16 championship season is one of the eight seasons the Cavaliers have ever had with a winning record in away games, but it was far from their best.

That title belongs to the 2008-09 Cavaliers who won 65.9% of their road games with a 27-14 record. The Cavaliers were led by LeBron James in his first MVP season in 2008-09 as he averaged 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game to lead the team to 66 wins. In the NBA playoffs, the Cavaliers would go 8-0 in their first eight games to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

It was in that series that they would meet their match in the form of Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic. After fighting valiantly, the Cavaliers were put away in six games by Orlando, spoiling the best road season in franchise history without a trip to the NBA Finals.

25. Memphis Grizzlies – 34.2% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 386-742

The road through the best and worst away records in NBA history continues with the Memphis Grizzlies. In 29 seasons since joining the NBA in 1995-96, the Grizzlies have won just 34.2% of their road games in team history. They have also made only 13 playoff appearances and zero NBA Finals appearances during that same stretch.

The Grizzlies have rarely been successful on the road in their history, finishing with just five winning seasons away from their home court. In 2021-22, the Grizzlies tied a franchise record for wins with 56 which was aided by their 26-15 record in away games. Ja Morant led the way for this Memphis team, challenging for the MVP award with 27.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game.

The Grizzlies had high hopes for their season after finishing second in the Western Conference and taking down the Timberwolves in six games in the first round of the playoffs. That is where their journey to a championship came to an end, however, as they fell to eventual NBA champions the Golden State Warriors in the second round.

26. Washington Wizards – 33.6% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 816-1,616

We continue with the 26th-best away record in NBA history belonging to the Washington Wizards with a record of 816-1,616. The Wizards have had seven different winning seasons on the road in their team’s history including three different seasons that came during the 1970s.

As for their best season on the road, that came in 1969-69 led by the trio of Earl Monroe, Wes Unseld, and Gus Johnson. Monroe led the Bullets that season with 25.8 points per game while Johnson added 17.9 points and 11.6 rebounds per game while Unseld had 13.8 points and 18.2 rebounds per game. The Bullets would go on to win 57 games that season and finish first in the Eastern Division.

Unfortunately for the Bullets, that is where the fun stopped as they would be upset by the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. Not only were they defeated but had been defeated in embarrassing fashion, a four-game sweep despite being the best defense in the NBA that season.

27. Brooklyn Nets – 32.7% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 624-1,282

Since arriving in the NBA in the 1976-77 season after the NBA/ABA merger, the Nets have failed to bring their championship success with them. Winning just 32.7% of their games on the road is a big indicator of that struggle over the years that has resulted in just two NBA Finals appearances and zero NBA championships.

To make matters worse, the Nets have had just four winning seasons on the road in their team’s history. Their best record would come just two seasons ago in 2021-22 when they went 24-17 on the road and 44-38 on the seasons as a whole. Despite their road success, this Nets team would go on to fall apart in the first round of the playoffs, swept by the Celtics in four straight games.

28. Sacramento Kings – 32.3% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 965-1,918

Throughout their franchise’s history, the Sacramento Kings have been shrouded in failure. The Kings were last crowned NBA champions in 1951, led by the likes of Bob Davies and Arnie Risen. Since that time, the Kings have made just 29 playoff appearances and no other appearances in the NBA Finals.

Winning just 32.3% of games on the road is bound to keep a franchise down. Surprisingly enough, the Kings’ best record on the road in a season came two years before their 1951 title in 1948-49. That season, the Kings would win 66.7% of their away games but go on to lose in the Western Division Finals to the Minneapolis Lakers. The Kings have had just eight other seasons over .500 on the road which includes the 2023-24 season, starting the year 6-6 in road games.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves – 32.2% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 446-929

The Minnesota Timberwolves are next up at 29th in NBA history with a 32.2% winning percentage in away games in their team’s history. As bad as it has been in Minnesota, there have only been four seasons in which the Timberwolves have won over half their games on the road in a season.

Minnesota’s best year on the road came in 2003-04 when they were led by MVP Kevin Garnett to a 58-24 record overall and a 27-14 record in away games. Garnett averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game. In the NBA playoffs, Minnesota would capture series wins over the Nuggets and Kings to advance to play the Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Despite 23.7 points and 13.5 rebounds per game from Garnett, Minnesota would fall to the Lakers in six games led by Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. The Lakers would go on to lose in the NBA Finals to the Detroit Pistons. In 2023-24, the Timberwolves are currently on pace to top their road record from 2003-04, winning 69.2% of their road games to start the year.

30. Los Angeles Clippers – 31.1% Winning Percentage

Overall Away Record: 664-1,472

Coming in with the worst away record in NBA history is the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers, in existence since 1970, have won just 31.1% of their total games on the road in franchise history, likely one of the many reasons they still find themselves without an NBA championship.

Like every other organization, there have been specific seasons in which they have found success on the road. In their 54 total seasons, the Clippers have had nine in which they recorded a record above .500 in away games. Their best season would come in 2014-15 when they finished with a 26-15 record on the road for a winning percentage of 63.4%.

The Clippers would finish with a 56-26 record overall that season and advance to the NBA playoffs. After defeating the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs, the Clippers would fall to Houston in the second round in seven games. In their series loss to Houston, Los Angeles lost three of the four games played in Houston.