The NBA is a league that has been around for over 70 years, and in that time, there have been many teams that have made it to the Finals and even won championships including the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers who are both tied with the most NBA championships in history (17). However, there are still teams that have yet to make a single appearance in the NBA Finals. These teams are the Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, and New Orleans Pelicans.
- New Orleans Pelicans – 21 Seasons Without NBA Finals
- Memphis Grizzlies – 28 Seasons Without NBA Finals
- Charlotte Hornets – 33 Seasons Without NBA Finals
- Minnesota Timberwolves – 34 Seasons Without NBA Finals
- Los Angeles Clippers – 53 Seasons Without NBA Finals
- Which Team Has The Best Chance To Make The NBA Finals In The Future?
The Denver Nuggets were one of those teams, but they ended the franchise-long drought by finally breaking through and making their first Finals appearance in 2023. Led by superstar Nikola Jokic who has overcome some odds over his career, the Nuggets are widely considered the best team in the world right now. Taking itself out of the unfortunate situation of being a team without a Finals appearance, Denver won’t be joining the remaining five franchises that have never won an NBA title.
One of these franchises is the Charlotte Hornets, which was founded in 1988 and has had some success over the years, but they have never made it to the NBA Finals. The team has had some notable players, including Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, and Kemba Walker, but they have never been able to make it past the Eastern Conference Finals. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers have been around since 1970 and have had some talented players over the years, including Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and Kawhi Leonard. But, they have never made it to the NBA Finals, and they have often been overshadowed by their crosstown rivals, the Lakers.
The Memphis Grizzlies were founded in 1995 and did have a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2013. However, they have never made it to the NBA Finals, and they have often been seen as a small-market team that struggles to compete with the bigger franchises. Of course, the Minnesota Timberwolves were founded in 1989 and have had some talented players, including Kevin Garnett, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Andrew Wiggins. But, they have never made it to the NBA Finals, and they have often been seen as a team that struggles to build a winning culture.
Finally, the New Orleans Pelicans were founded in 2002 as the New Orleans Hornets and were renamed the Pelicans in 2013. The stars of the franchise include Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson, but they have never made it to the NBA Finals. These five teams have yet to make a single appearance in the NBA Finals, but they all have the potential to break through and compete for a championship in the future. It will be interesting to see if any of these teams can make history and finally make it to the NBA’s biggest stage, but it is time to go through each franchise in more detail while going through how long it has been and the outlook of their futures.
New Orleans Pelicans – 21 Seasons Without NBA Finals
The New Orleans Pelicans are a relatively new team in the NBA, having been established in 2002 as the New Orleans Hornets. Despite their short history, the Pelicans have yet to make an appearance in the NBA Finals, which is a disappointment for their fans and the organization.
One of the main reasons for the Pelicans’ lack of success is their inconsistent performance on the court. While they have had some talented players over the years, such as Anthony Davis and Chris Paul, they have struggled to build a cohesive team that can consistently compete at a high level. Injuries have also played a role in their struggles, with key players missing significant time due to various ailments.
Another factor that has hindered the Pelicans’ success is their lack of depth. While they have had some talented players, they have often lacked the supporting cast necessary to make a deep playoff run. This has been particularly evident in recent years, as the team has struggled to find consistent contributors beyond their star players. Despite these challenges, there is reason for optimism for the Pelicans. They have a talented young core, led by Zion Williamson, who has shown flashes of brilliance in his young career. Additionally, the team has made some smart moves in recent years, such as acquiring Brandon Ingram and drafting promising young players like Jaxson Hayes and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
As long as Zion Williamson (only 22 years old) can somehow stay healthy, as he has yet to appear in at least 65 games in a single season, the Pelicans have a very interesting core. A team of Williamson, Ingram, and the newly-acquired CJ McCollum would make the Pelicans an intriguing team in the Western Conference next year.
Memphis Grizzlies – 28 Seasons Without NBA Finals
The Memphis Grizzlies are a team that has been in the NBA since 1995 when they were established as an expansion team. Despite having a relatively long history in the league, the Grizzlies have never made it to the NBA Finals. This is a surprising fact, given that the team has had some talented players over the years, including Pau Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol.
One possible reason for the Grizzlies’ lack of success in the playoffs is their style of play. The team has traditionally been known for its defensive prowess, with a focus on slowing down opponents and grinding out low-scoring games. While this approach can be effective in the regular season, it may not be as successful in the high-pressure environment of the playoffs, where teams often need to score quickly and efficiently to win. Another factor that may have contributed to the Grizzlies’ lack of playoff success is their location.
Memphis is not a major media market, and the team has struggled at times to attract top-tier free agents. This has made it difficult for the Grizzlies to build a championship-caliber roster, despite their solid drafting and player development. Despite these challenges, the Grizzlies have remained a competitive team over the years and have made the playoffs several times. With a talented young core that includes Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., the team may be poised for a breakthrough in the coming years. Whether or not they can finally make it to the NBA Finals remains to be seen, but fans of the Grizzlies will undoubtedly be rooting for their team to make history.
Charlotte Hornets – 33 Seasons Without NBA Finals
The Charlotte Hornets are a team that has been in the NBA since 1988 when they were also established as an expansion team. Despite having some successful seasons, including a trip to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2001, the Hornets have never made it to the NBA Finals. This is a disappointment for fans of the team, who have been hoping for a championship for many years.
The Hornets’ lack of success in the playoffs might be down to their inconsistent performance during the regular season. While they have had some strong seasons, they have also had many seasons where they struggled to make the playoffs or were eliminated early on. Additionally, the Hornets have had some notable players over the years, including Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, and Kemba Walker, but they have not been able to build a championship-caliber team around these players.
Despite the challenges, the Hornets do have a strong fan base, which has remained loyal to the team despite its lack of success in the NBA Finals. Looking ahead, the Hornets might have a bright future. LaMelo Ball is only 21 years old and already has an All-Star Team on his resume, and the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft means the Hornets have a chance to add to the team’s core. Time will tell if Ball can be the player to change life for Hornets fans going forward.
Minnesota Timberwolves – 34 Seasons Without NBA Finals
The Minnesota Timberwolves are a team that has been in the NBA since 1989 and despite having elite stars such as Kevin Garnett and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves have never made it to the NBA Finals. The Timberwolves have only made it to the playoffs nine times in their history and have only advanced past the first round once. This lack of postseason success has prevented them from making a deep run toward the Finals.
The competitiveness of the Western Conference is a major reason why the Timberwolves have struggled to push for the NBA Finals. The Timberwolves have been in the Western Conference for most of their history and have had to compete against some of the best teams in the league, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and Golden State Warriors. This has made it difficult for them to make it to the Finals, as they have had to face tough opponents in the playoffs year after year.
Additionally, the Timberwolves have had some struggles with team management and coaching over the years. They have gone through several head coaches and front-office personnel, which has led to instability and inconsistency on the court. This has made it difficult for the team to build a winning culture and sustain success over the long term. Even when the Timberwolves have tried to make big moves, such as acquiring Rudy Gobert this season, giving up four first-round picks was not a great move.
Overall, Minnesota might be entering a new era with Anthony Edwards at the helm of the team since Karl-Anthony Towns could be joining a contender soon. Timberwolves fans have not had true success since Kevin Garnett led them to the Western Conference Finals, and time is of the essence because Minnesota must be in the market to acquire top players to help out Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert on the court.
Los Angeles Clippers – 53 Seasons Without NBA Finals
The Los Angeles Clippers are a team that has been in the NBA since 1970 when they were originally known as the Buffalo Braves. The team moved to San Diego in 1978 and then to Los Angeles in 1984. Despite having some talented players over the years, such as Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, the Clippers have not made the NBA Finals and have remained in the basement when compared to the Los Angeles Lakers. There is no comparison between the two franchises, mainly because of the Clippers’ history of poor management and ownership.
For many years, the Clippers were owned by Donald Sterling, who was known for his controversial and racist behavior. Under his leadership, the team struggled to attract top talent and often made questionable decisions in the draft and free agency. Luckily, in recent years, the Clippers have undergone a significant transformation. The team is now owned by Steve Ballmer, who has invested heavily in the franchise and has brought in a new front office led by President of Basketball Operations, Lawrence Frank. This new leadership has helped the team become more competitive and has led to some of the team’s best seasons in franchise history.
Despite this progress, the Clippers have still been unable to make it to the NBA Finals. Injuries have played a role in some of the team’s playoff disappointments, such as when Chris Paul suffered a hamstring injury in the 2018 playoffs, and the duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have frustrated fans year after year since the 2020 season. Additionally, the team has faced tough competition in the Western Conference, which has been dominated by teams like the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs in recent years.
If Leonard and George can stay healthy, the Clippers have a great chance to end their 53-year drought, and that would shatter news outlets if the franchise ever finds its way out of the Lakers’ basement and make a single Finals appearance.
Which Team Has The Best Chance To Make The NBA Finals In The Future?
Based on current team performance and potential, it is difficult to determine which team has the best chance to make the NBA Finals for the first time. The Los Angeles Clippers have a strong roster with players like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but they have struggled in the playoffs in recent years. The same goes for the Memphis Grizzlies, who have a talented core of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Desmond Bane. These two teams have the most top-heavy talent and arguably the best coaching out of all the teams that have never made a single Finals appearance.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans have a young and talented team led by Zion Williamson, but they are still developing and have yet to make a deep playoff run. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Charlotte Hornets are both rebuilding teams with promising young players, but they are still a few years away from being serious contenders. Ultimately, it will come down to which team can stay healthy, develop their young talent, and make the right moves in the offseason to improve their chances of making a deep playoff run.
The betting favorites to make their first Finals appearance has to be the Los Angeles Clippers due to the fact that they have two elite stars in their prime and an excellent coach in Ty Lue. If Leonard and George can magically stay healthy for at least 65-70 games apiece in the regular season and throughout the entire playoffs, the Clippers can go on to make a Finals appearance. The same goes for the Grizzlies, who have a top-10 player in the world in Ja Morant who is struggling with behavior at the moment. If Morant gets right, Memphis can build itself into a contender without a shadow of a doubt.
The Pelicans rely entirely on Zion Williamson, and the player himself needs a few years to hit his prime, while the Hornets and Timberwolves are more than a few moves away from being a legitimate title contenders. As a result, the Clippers and Grizzlies have the best chances to make their first Finals appearance and follow in the Denver Nuggets’ path towards success.
