The Most Regular Season Wins By Every NBA Franchise: Only Warriors And Bulls Have Won 70+ Games

We are getting close to the end of the NBA season. The Phoenix Suns are currently leading the league with a 52-12 record. With 18 games left in the regular season, the team could make a run towards breaking their franchise record for wins in a season. That would be an impressive feat as Chris Paul continues to heal from an injury, as he has not suited up for the team since the All-Star break.

Chasing records is always the fun part of the NBA season. The Suns are truly shining this season and would need to win 10 of their last 18 games to even tie their record. For other teams in the past, there was the one magical season where the team stood above everyone else. Each team has a franchise record for wins in a season, but which team has the most among all 30 teams?

We looked at all 30 teams and their franchise record for wins and placed them in order from least to greatest. Some seasons stood out above others with some happening recently and others happening at least 50 years ago. Which team truly had the best regular season?

This is every NBA team’s best record in franchise history ranked from least to greatest.

Note: If two teams tied in wins, the tiebreaker went to the team with the better playoff finish.

30. 2001-02 New Jersey Nets (Brooklyn Nets): 52-30

The Nets technically won more games three times, which included 55 games in 1974 and 1976. The most games won by the team came during the 1974-75 season where the Nets won 58. All three times, the team was based in New York and part of the ABA. The most wins by a true Brooklyn team came in 2012-13 when the team won 49 games.

If you are looking at the most wins by a Nets team in the NBA, then you are looking at the 52-30 team in 2001-02. The 2001-02 season saw Jason Kidd lead the team to new heights. The newly acquired point guard paired with Richard Jefferson to lead the Nets to their best record ever in the NBA, which also included an appearance in the NBA Finals. The team ultimately fell short in the Finals, losing to Kobe Bryant, Finals MVP Shaquille O’Neal, and the Lakers.

29. 1996-97 Charlotte Hornets: 54-28

This season owns a legendary place in team history. It was the offseason prior where the team traded Kobe Bryant for Vlade Divac. Imagine a world where the Hornets kept Bryant and had him build with Glen Rice, Matt Geiger, Muggsy Bogues, and Dell Curry. Rice finished this season with the best of his career and was fifth in the MVP voting, while Anthony Mason averaged 16.2 points, 11.4 rebounds, and 5.7 assists.

The Hornets finished fourth in the division despite setting a franchise record for wins. The Hornets drew the New York Knicks in the first round, which was where Larry Johnson was playing. Johnson was formerly a favorite in town, but it was Johnson that helped the Knicks knock out the Hornets in the first round.

28. 2007-08 New Orleans Pelicans: 56-26

It was just the sixth season since the Pelicans came into the league. It was also the first time that the team returned to New Orleans full time since Hurricane Katrina. The team was named the Hornets at the time and won a franchise record in wins. The team also won the Southwest Division in the last game of the season. It remains the only time that the franchise has won at least 50 games. Head coach Byron Scott won Coach of the Year.

In the playoffs, the team took on the No. 7 seed Dallas Mavericks, who they defeated in five games. It was the first time the franchise won in the playoffs. The season came to an end in the second round, taking the Spurs to seven games.

27. 2012-13 Memphis Grizzlies: 56-26

It was a lot of firsts for the Grizzlies franchise. Led by Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol and consistent starter Mike Conley Jr., the Grizzlies won the most games ever. The team defense held opponents to under 90 points per game and led the league. It was the last time that a team held an opponent to under 90 points per game during a regular season.

In the playoffs, the Grizzlies made the Conference Finals for the first time in team history. The Grizzlies defeated the Clippers in six games in the first round. Then, the team defeated the Thunder in the second round, who had made the NBA Finals the season before. In the Conference Finals, the season came to an end in a four-game sweep at the hands of the Spurs.

26. 2012-13 Denver Nuggets: 57-25

The Nuggets won 57 games and didn’t have a single All-Star on the team. The team also didn’t have a single-player averaging at least 20 points per game. Ty Lawson and Danillo Gallinari both averaged around 16 points per game to lead the team. Kenneth Faried nearly averaged a double-double and the team finished second in the division.

In the playoffs, the Nuggets were defeated in the first round by the Golden State Warriors. Steph Curry led the team past the Nuggets in six games. Once the Nuggets are healthy with Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon, the team could be the first to win 60 games in franchise history.

25. 2013-14 Los Angeles Clippers: 57-25

With Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan on the floor, “Lob City” was at its highest. The trio was electrifying all season. Griffin led the team in scoring with 24.6 points, while Paul averaged a double-double of 19 points and 10 assists, and Jordan led the league in rebounding. The Clippers, known for being doormats in their team history, were at the top of their game.

In the playoffs, the team defeated the Warriors in a hard-fought seven-game series. The team met the Thunder in the second round and came up short in six games against Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The following season, the Clippers won 56 games, nearly tying their record for wins in a season.

24. 2003-04 Minnesota Timberwolves: 58-24

The Timberwolves made significant moves before the season began. The team acquired Latrell Sprewell and Sam Cassell to form a big three with Kevin Garnett. It was Garnett that had his best season in his career, averaging 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.2 blocks to win the league MVP. Garnett led the league in rebounding and the Timberwolves led the Western Conference Finals.

The team nearly made their first NBA Finals. The team defeated the Nuggets in the first round and then battled the Kings to seven games before barely holding on. In the Finals, the Timberwolves could not overcome the All-Star starting lineup of Gary Payton, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Shaquille O’Neal. It’s the closest Minnesota has ever been to the NBA Finals.

23. 2017-18 Toronto Raptors: 59-23

The Raptors set a new record for wins and wins at home. The team also clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in franchise history. The tandem of Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan led the team to their fourth divisional title in five seasons as well, while Dwane Casey would win NBA Coach of the Year.

The Raptors took care of the Wizards in six games in the first round and then faced their arch-nemesis in the Cleveland Cavaliers. LeBron James led the Cavaliers over the Raptors in the Conference Finals in 2017. This time, he led the team to a four-game sweep over Cleveland. After losing to the Cavaliers eight straight times in the playoffs, the Raptors fired Casey at the end of the season.

22. 1969-70 And 1992-93 New York Knicks: 60-22

The 1969-70 season saw the team set an NBA record for consecutive wins, which included 18 straight. The team started the season 23-1, which was an NBA record through 24 games before Golden State set the new record many years later. Led by Willis Reed and Walt Frazier, the Knicks eventually won the NBA championship with a seven-game series over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Before the 1992-93 season began, the Knicks acquired a slew of players. That included Charles Smith, Doc Rivers, Bo Kimble, Rolando Blackman, Tony Campbell, and Herb Williams. With Patrick Ewing already solidified as an All-Star and John Starks looking like a top point guard, the depth helped the Knicks win 60 games. The season came to an end in the Conference Finals, as Michael Jordan led his Bulls to their eventual third straight championship.

21. 1974-75 Washington Wizards: 60-22

It has been almost 50 years since the Wizards have won at least 60 games. This season is the only time a team in Washington has won at least 60 games. The closest a modern-day team has come was in 2016-17 when the team won 49 games. The tandem of Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld remain as the best dynamic duo in team history.

It was the sixth time in seven years that the then Washington Bullets had won the division. It was also the first season that the team played under a new name, transitioning from Capital to Washington. At home, the team posted a 36-5 record, but that home-court advantage didn’t help in the NBA Finals. The Golden State Warriors posted a four-game sweep. It would be one of four NBA Finals appearances by the franchise in the 70s.

20. 1995-96 Orlando Magic: 60-22

The Magic had the pieces on paper with Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O’Neal. The team was coming off a season where the Magic made the NBA Finals. With the core returning, the team set the record for wins with 60. It remains the only time that a Magic team won at least 60 games in a season. What’s even more impressive is that Shaq missed 28 games.

The Magic made the Eastern Conference Finals and were greeted with a rematch of the Chicago Bulls, who they eliminated from the 1995 playoffs. This time, Jordan was at full health and the Bulls made quick work of the Magic in four games. At the end of the season, Shaq left to join the Los Angeles Lakers.

19. 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks: 60-22

The Hawks used a crew of All-Stars Al Horford, Kyle Korver, Paul Millsap, and Jeff Teague to run to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks had their best season since 1993-1994 and broke their franchise record for wins. Head coach Mike Budenholzer won NBA Coach of the Year.

In the playoffs, the team made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since moving to Atlanta. The team met LeBron James, who was in the playoffs with the Cavaliers for the first time since rejoining the team. James established his dominance in the race by leading the Cavaliers to a four-game sweep over Atlanta.

18. 2003-04 Indiana Pacers: 61-21

After Larry Bird was hired as the President of Basketball Operations, his first move was to fire head coach Isiah Thomas and replace him with Rick Carlisle. The defensive-minded coach helped turn the team around and become the first Pacers team ever to win at least 60 games. Jermaine O’Neal finished All-NBA Second Team and was third in the MVP voting. Meanwhile, Ron Artest was rewarded Defensive Player of the Year.

The Pacers defeated the Celtics and Pacers on their way to playing in the Eastern Conference Finals. The team ran into a strong Detroit Pistons team, coached by former Pacers coach Larry Brown. The Pacers fell in six games. It was the sixth time in 11 seasons that the Pacers made the Conference Finals and came up short of making the NBA Finals.

17. 2001-02 Sacramento Kings: 61-21

Oscar Roberston never led this franchise to 60 wins. With that said, from 2001-to 2004, the Kings had their best four-year stretch in team history. This season, it featured the only time the Kings won at least 60 games. What makes this season even more impressive is that Chris Webber missed 22 games. Webber and Peja Stojakovic led the Kings to the best record in the Western Conference, which also featured an 11-game winning streak.

Webber finished the season seventh in the MVP voting and was ready to lead the team to the NBA Finals. It nearly happened, but a controversial series against the Lakers left the team high and dry. In Game 6, historians go back and talk about the controversial calls made by the officials that led to the Lakers winning 106-102 at home. The Lakers would then make the NBA Finals and win the championship. It was the closest that the Kings came to making the NBA Finals for the first time since 1951.

16. 2004-05 Phoenix Suns: 62-20

The Suns acquired Steve Nash in the offseason and he helped the Suns rise to the top. The Suns won 31 of their first 35 games and Nash won the league MVP. It was the best season by the Suns all around since Charles Barkley won the league MVP and set the team record for wins in 1993. Nash, Shawn Marion, and Amar’e Stoudemire made the All-Star Game, while Quentin Richardson and Joe Johnson were solid role players.

The Suns swept the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs and then defeated Nash’s old team in the Mavericks in six games. In the Conference Finals, the team lost to the Spurs in five games, who eventually won the NBA championship.

15. 1990-91 Portland Trail Blazers: 63-19

The team opened up the season by winning their first 11 games. The team eventually won 27 of their first 30 games, which was the best start in franchise history. The season featured a 16-game winning streak and the team set the franchise record for wins, which remains a record 32 years later. It is also the only time that a Portland team has won at least 60 games in a season.

The season marked the first Pacific Division title since 1978, which ended a nine-year run by the Lakers as divisional champions. Clyde Drexler finished sixth in the MVP voting, while Terry Porter and Kevin Duckworth made the All-Star team with Drexler. In the playoffs, the team advanced to the Conference Finals but were defeated in six games by Magic Johnson and the Lakers.

14. 1995-96 Seattle SuperSonics (Oklahoma City Thunder): 64-18

It was just a few years ago that the SuperSonics set a franchise record for wins with 63. It also marked the first time a team in NBA history that won the No. 1 seed lost in the first round. With a similar crew intact, the SuperSonics rose to a new high, led by Defensive Player of the Year winner Gary Payton. Four times in team history, three in Seattle and one in OKC has the franchise won at least 60 games, but this team won the most in the regular season.

The team also overcame their issues in the playoffs. The SuperSonics marched to the NBA Finals and took on three-time champion Micahel Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the Chicago Bulls. It was there that the season came to an end by losing to the Bulls in six games.

13. 1996-97 Utah Jazz: 64-18

The duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton is known as the best in team history, so it should come as no surprise that they are the organizers of the team’s best all-time wins record. Together, the duo led the Jazz to 60 wins or more three times in their career. The closest a modern-day team has come to this record was in 2009-10 when that team won 53 games.

The season featured a 15-game winning streak and Malone had his best individual season. His 27.4 points, 9.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.4 steals were enough to land him the league MVP Award over Michael Jordan. The two would meet in the NBA Finals, where Jordan would get his revenge as the Bulls triumphed over the Jazz in six games and Jordan earned Finals MVP.

12. 2005-06 Detroit Pistons: 64-18

The Pistons were two seasons removed from winning the NBA championship. Head coach Larry Brown had stepped down and the team gave the reins over to Flip Saunders. This team was incredibly experienced, having made the NBA Finals back-to-back seasons. With Ben Wallace, Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton, Chancey Billups, and Tayshaun Prince, the team finished with the best record in the NBA, with four of these players being named All-Stars.

The Pistons nearly made the Finals for the third season in a row. However, the team came up short in six games to the Miami Heat in the Conference Finals. It would end up being the final season for Ben Wallace, who became the first domino to fall from the long sustained Detroit dynasty.

11. 2017-18 Houston Rockets: 65-17

It had been 24 years since the Rockets had seen this type of win. The team won at least 60 games for the first time in franchise history. After trading for Chris Paul, the team had championship aspirations and they helped quiet the critics by winning 65 games. The season also saw James Harden average 30.4 points and win the league MVP.

The fans tasted the NBA Finals. The team rose to the Conference Finals and took on the Golden State Warriors. In a battle with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green, the Rockets battled the team to seven games. The woes of Harden and Paul in Game 7 derailed their chances of making their first NBA Finals since Hakeem Olajuwon led the team in 1995.

10. 2008-09 Cleveland Cavaliers: 66-16

The Cavaliers continued to go as high as LeBron James would take them. In his sixth year in the league, we began to see the young star truly become the best in the league. It was the first time in his career that LeBron won a league MVP, averaging 28.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists. His magical season helped the Cavaliers win a franchise-record 66 games.

The end of the season left a sour taste in the mouth of all fans and not just the fans of the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic in the Conference Finals. Had LeBron made the NBA Finals, it would have been a LeBron James and Kobe Bryant NBA Finals, a matchup we never got to see in the championship.

9. 2012-13 Miami Heat: 66-16

After winning the NBA championship, the Heat looked to run it back and did so by finishing with the best record in the NBA. The big three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh was too much to stop. James won the league MVP and was one vote shy of becoming the first player in league history to win the award unanimously.

In the playoffs, the Heat made their third straight NBA Finals and faced the Spurs. The Spurs nearly took the series in Game 6, but late-game heroics by Ray Allen kept the series alive. Then, a masterful Game 7 by Finals MVP sealed the Heat winning their third championship in team history.

8. 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks: 66-16

It took just two seasons for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to take the reins as the face of the league. Abdul-Jabbar finished as the league MVP, while the acquisition of Oscar Robertson turned out to be a pivotal move. Other players in Bob Dandridge, Jon McGlocklin, and Greg Smith also formed a powerful nucleus to help the Bucks win a record 66 games.

It’s been over 50 years since the Bucks set this record. The season included a 20-game winning streak. In the playoffs, the Bucks lost just two times and marched to the NBA Finals. There, the team swept the Baltimore Bullets in four games with Abdul-Jabbar winning Finals MVP.

7. 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks: 67-15

After making the NBA Finals, the Mavericks brought back the majority of their team that made a long playoff run. Dirk Nowitzki came back with a vengeance, averaging one of the best statistical lines in his career. Nowitzki won the league MVP and the Mavericks had the best record in the NBA, falling just three wins short of winning 70 games.

The playoff run fell short of what the team wanted to accomplish. The Mavericks became the first team in NBA history to lose in the first round after winning at least 65 games. The No. 8 seeded Golden State Warriors upset the Mavericks after a stellar playoff from Baron Davis and company.

6. 2015-16 San Antonio Spurs: 67-15

The final season that Tim Duncan suited up would be the best for the Spurs. The franchise has won at least 60 games seven times, but this season saw the team finish with their best record ever. The Spurs acquired LaMarcus Aldridge to pair with former Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. The additions helped the Spurs tie an NBA home record as the Spurs finished the season 40-1.

Despite the success in the regular season, the team could not make it back to the NBA Finals. The Spurs were stopped by the duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in the second round of the playoffs. It would also mark the end of a 19-year career for Duncan.

5. 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers: 68-13

This season remains one of the five best seasons ever. Wilt Chamberlain was quickly beloved by Philly fans after his long stint with the Warriors. This season, Chamberlain averaged 24.1 points, 24.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists. Altogether, it was the perfect season for Chamberlain who won the league MVP.

In the playoffs, the 76ers were the only team in the 60s to beat Boston. In the NBA Finals, Chamberlain’s 76ers defeated his old team, the San Francisco Warriors. Chamberlain had help with Hal Greer, Luke Jackson, Chet Walker, and Billy Cunningham as well.

4. 1972-73 Boston Celtics: 68-14

Despite Larry Bird and Bill Russell filling up the history books with their dominance, neither player was featured on the best team in Celtics history. That might come hard to believe given that the Celtics have won at least 60 games 13 times in franchise history. Instead, the best win-loss team came with Dave Cowens and John Havlicek in the early 70s. Cowens led the Celtics with 20.5 points, 16.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists to win the league MVP Award. Meanwhile, Havlicek led the team with 23.8 points and chipped in 7.1 rebounds and 6.6 assists.

The Celtics made the Conference Finals but were unable to complete the perfect season. It was the first time that a team led the league in wins, but did not make the NBA Finals. Instead, the New York Knicks came out victorious and eventually won their second championship in franchise history.

3. 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers: 69-13

After years of succeeding in Minnesota, the Lakers got their first taste of victory in Los Angeles. The Lakers set the then-league record for wins in a season by winning 69 games. The team’s record stood for 24 seasons and featured a 33-game winning streak. With Wilt Chamberlain redefined as a player and Jerry West and Gail Goodrich taking care of the team offensively, the team was complete.

The Lakers capped off the season with their first championship as a member of Los Angeles. The team swept Chicago in the first round and then defeated Milwaukee in six games. In the Finals, the Lakers defeated the Knicks in five games. In total, the team won 81 games combined between the regular season and playoffs.

2. 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls: 72-10

After taking parts of two seasons off from basketball, Michael Jordan made his return to the Bulls ready for his first full season. The Bulls also made a move in the offseason to acquire Dennis Rodman. The Bulls took the bull by the horns to become the first team in league history to win at least 70 games in a season, which features a home record of 39-2.

The Bulls set the record for wins in a season, which is now the second-best mark ever. The Bulls finished their historic season by clinching the NBA championship by defeating the Seattle SuperSonics in six games. Jordan became the second player ever to win MVP, All-Star MVP, and Finals MVP in the same season.

1. 2015-16 Golden State Warriors: 73-9

After surprising the league in 2014-2015 to win the NBA championship, the Warriors surpassed expectations once again. The trio of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green led the Warriors to the best finish in league history during the regular season. The Warriors started the season 24-0 before setting the league record with 73 wins.

Curry won his second straight MVP, but he became the first player in league history to win MVP by a unanimous decision. Curry also set the single-season record for three-pointers and led the league in scoring. The Warriors face the scrutiny of fans though as the best. The team blew a 3-1 series lead to the Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, failing to cap off the perfect season.

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