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List of NBA franchise postseason droughts
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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 franchise to never win the championship 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. 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, 6 have droughts of 41 seasons or more, which is to say that the past 40 championships have been shared among only 14 franchises: the Lakers (8), Bulls (6), Spurs (5), Warriors (4), Pistons (3), Celtics (3), Heat (3), Rockets (2), Mavericks (1), Cavaliers (1), Raptors (1), Bucks (1), Nuggets (1), and Thunder (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.
Active droughts
NBA Playoffs appearance droughts
:Appearance droughts updated through May 31, 2025. :Playoff picture at NBA.com. :Play-in games do not count as a playoff game or series.
| † | Tied for longest drought in team history |
|---|
| Seasons | Team | Last appearance | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in NBA playoffs | Reference | ||||||||
| 9 | Charlotte Hornets ^ | 2016 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHA/ | title=Charlotte Hornets | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | |||
| 6 | San Antonio Spurs ^ | 2019 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/ | title=San Antonio Spurs | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | |||
| 4 | Portland Trail Blazers | 2021 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/POR/ | title=Portland Trail Blazers | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | |||
| 4 | Washington Wizards | 2021 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/ | title=Washington Wizards | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120625100058/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/WAS/ | archive-date=June 25, 2012}} |
| 3 | Utah Jazz | 2022 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/UTA/ | title= Utah Jazz | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | |||
| 3 | Toronto Raptors | 2022 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/TOR/ | title=Toronto Raptors | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728024002/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/TOR/ | archive-date=July 28, 2012}} |
| 3 | Chicago Bulls | 2022 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CHI/ | title=Chicago Bulls | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | |||
| 2 | Atlanta Hawks | 2023 First Round | |||||||
| 2 | Brooklyn Nets | 2023 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BKN/ | title=Brooklyn Nets | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | |||
| 2 | Sacramento Kings | 2023 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAC/ | title=Sacramento Kings | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | |||
| 1 | Phoenix Suns | 2024 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHX/ | title=Phoenix Suns | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | |||
| 1 | New Orleans Pelicans | 2024 First Round | |||||||
| 1 | Philadelphia 76ers | 2024 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHI/ | title=Philadelphia 76ers | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | |||
| 1 | Dallas Mavericks | 2024 NBA Finals | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/ | title=Dallas Mavericks | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | |||
| 2025 Playoff teams | |||||||||
| Milwaukee Bucks | 2025 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIL/ | title=Milwaukee Bucks | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Detroit Pistons | 2025 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/ | title=Detroit Pistons | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Orlando Magic | 2025 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ORL/ | title=Orlando Magic | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Miami Heat | 2025 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIA/ | title=Miami Heat | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date= July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Houston Rockets | 2025 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ | title=Houston Rockets | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2025 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/ | title=Los Angeles Lakers | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Los Angeles Clippers | 2025 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAC/ | title=Los Angeles Clippers | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Memphis Grizzlies | 2025 First Round | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MEM/ | title=Memphis Grizzlies | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2025 Conference Semifinals | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/CLE/ | title=Cleveland Cavaliers | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Boston Celtics | 2025 Conference Semifinals | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/BOS/ | title=Boston Celtics | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Denver Nuggets | 2025 Conference Semifinals | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/ | title=Denver Nuggets | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Golden State Warriors | 2025 Conference Semifinals | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/ | title=Golden State Warriors | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 2025 Conference Finals | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/MIN/ | title=Minnesota Timberwolves | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| New York Knicks | 2025 Conference Finals | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NYK/ | title=New York Knicks | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2025 NBA Finals | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/ | title=Oklahoma City Thunder | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Indiana Pacers | 2025 NBA Finals | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/ | title=Indiana Pacers | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} |
NBA Playoffs series win droughts
:Droughts updated through June 22, 2025. :Playoff picture at NBA.com
| ♦ | Most consecutive series losses in team history |
|---|
| Seasons | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| since win | Team | Last series win | |||
| in NBA Playoffs | Losing | ||||
| streak | Series losses – teams | Ref | |||
| Charlotte Hornets ^ | 2002 Eastern First Round | 4 ♦ | 2002 New Jersey | ||
| 2010 Orlando | |||||
| 2014 Miami | |||||
| 2016 Miami | |||||
| Sacramento Kings | 2004 Western First Round | 4 | 2004 Minnesota | ||
| 2005 Seattle | |||||
| 2006 San Antonio | |||||
| 2023 Golden State | |||||
| Detroit Pistons | 2008 Eastern Semifinals | 5 | 2008 Boston | ||
| 2009 Cleveland | |||||
| 2016 Cleveland | |||||
| 2019 Milwaukee | |||||
| 2025 New York | |||||
| Orlando Magic | 2010 Eastern Semifinals | 7 ♦ | 2010 Boston | ||
| 2011 Atlanta | |||||
| 2012 Indiana | |||||
| 2019 Toronto | |||||
| 2020 Milwaukee | |||||
| 2024 Cleveland | |||||
| 2025 Boston | |||||
| Chicago Bulls | 2015 Eastern First Round | 3 | 2015 Cleveland | ||
| 2017 Boston | |||||
| 2022 Milwaukee | |||||
| Washington Wizards | 2017 Eastern First Round | 3 | 2017 Boston | ||
| 2018 Toronto | |||||
| 2021 Philadelphia | |||||
| San Antonio Spurs | 2017 Western Semifinals | 3 | 2017 Golden State | ||
| 2018 Golden State | |||||
| 2019 Denver | |||||
| New Orleans Pelicans | 2018 Western First Round | 3 | 2018 Golden State | ||
| 2022 Phoenix | |||||
| 2024 Oklahoma City | |||||
| Portland Trail Blazers | 2019 Western Semifinals | 3 | 2019 Golden State | ||
| 2020 L. A. Lakers | |||||
| 2021 Denver | |||||
| Toronto Raptors | 2020 Eastern First Round | 2 | 2020 Boston | ||
| 2022 Philadelphia | |||||
| Houston Rockets | 2020 Western First Round | 2 | 2020 L. A. Lakers | ||
| 2025 Golden State | |||||
| Utah Jazz | 2021 Western First Round | 2 | 2021 L. A. Clippers | ||
| 2022 Dallas | |||||
| Brooklyn Nets | 2021 Eastern First Round | 3 | 2021 Milwaukee | ||
| 2022 Boston | |||||
| 2023 Philadelphia | |||||
| Los Angeles Clippers | 2021 Western Semifinals | 4 | 2021 Phoenix | ||
| 2023 Phoenix | |||||
| 2024 Dallas | |||||
| 2025 Denver | |||||
| Atlanta Hawks | 2021 Eastern Semifinals | 3 | 2021 Milwaukee | ||
| 2022 Miami | |||||
| 2023 Boston | |||||
| Milwaukee Bucks | 2022 Eastern First Round | 4 | 2022 Boston | ||
| 2023 Miami | |||||
| 2024 Indiana | |||||
| 2025 Indiana | |||||
| Memphis Grizzlies | 2022 Western First Round | 3 | 2022 Golden State | ||
| 2023 Los Angeles | |||||
| 2025 Oklahoma City | |||||
| Philadelphia 76ers | 2023 Eastern First Round | 2 | 2023 Boston | ||
| 2024 New York | |||||
| Phoenix Suns | 2023 Western First Round | 2 | 2023 Denver | ||
| 2024 Minnesota | |||||
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2023 Western Semifinals | 3 | 2023 Denver | ||
| 2024 Denver | |||||
| 2025 Minnesota | |||||
| Miami Heat | 2023 Eastern Conference Finals | 3 | 2023 Denver | ||
| 2024 Boston | |||||
| 2025 Cleveland | |||||
| Dallas Mavericks | 2024 Western Conference Finals | 1 | 2024 Boston | ||
| z | 30002025 Playoff Series | 0 Winners | 3000 | 3000 | |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2025 Eastern First Round | 1 | 2025 Indiana | ||
| Golden State Warriors | 2025 Western First Round | 1 | 2025 Minnesota | ||
| Boston Celtics | 2025 Eastern First Round | 1 | 2025 New York | ||
| Denver Nuggets | 2025 Western First Round | 1 | 2025 Oklahoma City | ||
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 2025 Western Semifinals | 1 | 2025 Oklahoma City | ||
| New York Knicks | 2025 Eastern Semifinals | 1 | 2025 Indiana | ||
| Indiana Pacers | 2025 Eastern Conference Finals | 1 | 2025 Oklahoma City | ||
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2025 NBA Finals | 0 | 4-series win streak |
Charlotte was also inactive for two years following the season.
NBA Conference Finals appearance droughts
| ^ | Longest drought in team history | † | Tied for longest drought in team history -- |
|---|
| Seasons | Team | Last appearance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in Conference Finals | Result | Reference | ||
| Washington Wizards ^ | 1979 | Won vs. San Antonio | ||
| Charlotte Hornets ^ | 0Never (enfranchised 1988) | |||
| Philadelphia 76ers ^ | 2001 | Won vs. Milwaukee | ||
| Sacramento Kings | 2002 | Lost vs. L.A. Lakers | ||
| New Orleans Pelicans ^ | 0Never (enfranchised 2002) | |||
| Brooklyn Nets | 2003 | Won vs. Detroit | ||
| Utah Jazz | 2007 | Lost vs. San Antonio | ||
| Detroit Pistons | 2008 | Lost vs. Boston | ||
| Orlando Magic | 2010 | Lost vs. Boston | ||
| Chicago Bulls | 2011 | Lost vs. Miami | ||
| Memphis Grizzlies | 2013 | Lost vs. San Antonio | ||
| San Antonio Spurs | 2017 | Lost vs. Golden State | ||
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2018 | Won vs. Boston | ||
| Houston Rockets | 2018 | Lost vs. Golden State | ||
| Toronto Raptors | 2019 | Won vs. Milwaukee | ||
| Portland Trail Blazers | 2019 | Lost vs. Golden State | ||
| Phoenix Suns | 2021 | Won vs. L.A. Clippers | ||
| Los Angeles Clippers | 2021 | Lost vs. Phoenix | ||
| Milwaukee Bucks | 2021 | Won vs. Atlanta | ||
| Atlanta Hawks | 2021 | Lost vs. Milwaukee | ||
| Golden State Warriors | 2022 | Won vs. Dallas | ||
| Denver Nuggets | 2023 | Won vs. L.A. Lakers | ||
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2023 | Lost vs. Denver | ||
| Miami Heat | 2023 | Won vs. Boston | ||
| Boston Celtics | 2024 | Won vs. Indiana | ||
| Dallas Mavericks | 2024 | Won vs. Minnesota | ||
| .85 | Z2025 Conference Finalists | 2019.5 | zzz | |
| Indiana Pacers | 2025 | Won vs. New York | ||
| New York Knicks | 2025 | Lost vs. Indiana | ||
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 2025 | Lost vs. Oklahoma City | ||
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2025 | Won vs. Minnesota |
NBA Finals appearance droughts
| Seasons | Team | Last appearance | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in NBA Finals | Result | Reference | ||
| Sacramento Kings | 1951 | Won vs. New York | ||
| Atlanta Hawks | 1961 | Lost vs. Boston | ||
| Los Angeles Clippers | 0Never (enfranchised 1970) | |||
| Washington Wizards | 1979 | Lost vs. Seattle | ||
| Charlotte Hornets | 0Never (enfranchised 1988) | |||
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 0Never (enfranchised 1989) | |||
| Portland Trail Blazers | 1992 | Lost vs. Chicago | ||
| Houston Rockets | 1995 | Won vs. Orlando | ||
| Memphis Grizzlies | 0Never (enfranchised 1995) | |||
| Utah Jazz | 1998 | Lost vs. Chicago | ||
| Chicago Bulls | 1998 | Won vs. Utah | ||
| New York Knicks | 1999 | Lost vs. San Antonio | ||
| Philadelphia 76ers | 2001 | Lost vs. L. A. Lakers | ||
| New Orleans Pelicans | 0Never (enfranchised 2002) | |||
| Brooklyn Nets | 2003 | Lost vs. San Antonio | ||
| Detroit Pistons | 2005 | Lost vs. San Antonio | ||
| Orlando Magic | 2009 | Lost vs. L. A. Lakers | ||
| San Antonio Spurs | 2014]] | Won vs. Miami | ||
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2018 | Lost vs. Golden State | ||
| Toronto Raptors | 2019 | Won vs. Golden State | ||
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2020 | Won vs. Miami | ||
| Milwaukee Bucks | 2021 | Won vs. Phoenix | ||
| Phoenix Suns | 2021 | Lost vs. Milwaukee | ||
| Golden State Warriors | 2022 | Won vs. Boston | ||
| Denver Nuggets | 02023 | Won vs. Miami | ||
| Miami Heat | 02023 | Lost vs. Denver | ||
| Dallas Mavericks | 2024 | Lost vs. Boston | ||
| Boston Celtics | 2024 | Won vs. Dallas | ||
| 0 | Z2025 Finalists | 2018.5 | zzz | |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2025 | Won vs. Indiana | ||
| Indiana Pacers | 2025 | Lost vs. Oklahoma City |
- The Sacramento Kings last appeared in the 1951 NBA Finals as the Rochester Royals. Predates NBA-ABA merger.
- The Atlanta Hawks last appeared in the 1961 NBA Finals as the St. Louis Hawks. Predates NBA-ABA merger.
- The Washington Wizards last appeared in the 1979 Conference Finals and NBA Finals as the Washington Bullets.
- 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 | |||||||||
| Sacramento Kings | 1951 | ||||||||
| Atlanta Hawks | 1958 | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/ | title=Atlanta Hawks | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119182154/http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/ATL/ | archive-date=January 19, 2009}} | |
| Phoenix Suns | 0Never (enfranchised 1968) | ||||||||
| Los Angeles Clippers | 0Never (enfranchised 1970) | ||||||||
| New York Knicks | 01973 | ||||||||
| Utah Jazz | 0Never (enfranchised 1974) | ||||||||
| Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy | |||||||||
| Brooklyn Nets | 0Never (joined NBA in 1976) | ||||||||
| Indiana Pacers | 0Never (joined NBA in 1976) | ||||||||
| Portland Trail Blazers | 1977 | ||||||||
| Washington Wizards | 1978 | ||||||||
| Philadelphia 76ers | 1983 | ||||||||
| Orlando Magic | 0Never (enfranchised 1989) | ||||||||
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 0Never (enfranchised 1989) | ||||||||
| Charlotte Hornets | 0Never (enfranchised 1988) | ||||||||
| Houston Rockets | 1995 | ||||||||
| Memphis Grizzlies | 0Never (enfranchised 1995) | ||||||||
| Chicago Bulls | 1998 | ||||||||
| New Orleans Pelicans | 0Never (enfranchised 2002) | url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NOH/ | title=New Orleans Pelicans | work=basketball-reference.com | access-date=July 1, 2012}} | ||||
| Detroit Pistons | 2004 | ||||||||
| Dallas Mavericks | 2011 | ||||||||
| Miami Heat | 2013 | ||||||||
| San Antonio Spurs | 2014 | ||||||||
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 2016 | ||||||||
| Toronto Raptors | 2019 | ||||||||
| Los Angeles Lakers | 2020 | ||||||||
| Milwaukee Bucks | 2021 | ||||||||
| Golden State Warriors | 2022 | ||||||||
| Denver Nuggets | 2023 | ||||||||
| Boston Celtics | 02024 | ||||||||
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 2025 |
All-time droughts
NBA championship droughts
| Team | Seasons | Last title | Drought | Next title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento Kings | 74 | –present | ||
| Atlanta Hawks | 67 | –present | ||
| Phoenix Suns | 57 | –present | ||
| Los Angeles Clippers | 55 | –present | ||
| New York Knicks | 51 | –present | ||
| Utah Jazz | 51 | –present | ||
| Brooklyn Nets | 49 | –present | ||
| Milwaukee Bucks | 49 | – | ||
| Indiana Pacers | 48 | –present | ||
| Portland Trail Blazers | 48 | –present | ||
| Washington Wizards | 47 | –present | ||
| Denver Nuggets | 46 | – | ||
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 45 | – | ||
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 45 | – | ||
| Philadelphia 76ers | 42 | –present | ||
| Detroit Pistons | 40 | – | ||
| Golden State Warriors | 39 | – | ||
| Charlotte Hornets | 37 | –present | ||
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 36 | –present | ||
| Orlando Magic | 35 | –present | ||
| Dallas Mavericks | 30 | – |
Closest approaches without winning
Updated through the 2025 NBA Finals.
| Team | Conference Quarter-Final appearances | Conference Semi-Final appearances | Conference Final appearances | NBA Final appearances | Fewest wins short of NBA Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | 29 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 01 win short : 2025 |
| Phoenix Suns | 33 | 21 | 10 | 3 | 02 wins short : 1976, 1993, 2021 |
| Utah Jazz | 31 | 17 | 6 | 2 | 02 wins short : 1997, 1998 |
| Brooklyn Nets | 24 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 02 wins short : 2003 |
| Orlando Magic | 18 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 03 wins short : 2009 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 19 | 9 | 1 | 6 wins short : 2021 | |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 13 | 3 | 3 | 06 wins short : 2004 | |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 14 | 4 | 1 | 08 wins short : 2013 | |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 9 | 2 | 9 wins short : 2008 | ||
| Charlotte Hornets | 10 | 4 | 9 wins short : 2001 |
Longest post-season droughts in team history
Updated through the 2024–25 season.
| ^ | Denotes active drought |
|---|
| Team | Longest streak with | |
|---|---|---|
| no post-season appearances | Seasons | |
| Sacramento Kings | through 2021–22 | 16 |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 1976–77 through | 15 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | through | 13 |
| Golden State Warriors | through | 12 |
| Dallas Mavericks | through | 10 |
| Phoenix Suns | through | 10 |
| Utah Jazz | 1974–75 through | 9 |
| Charlotte Hornets ^ | 2016–17 through 2024–25 | 9 |
| Washington Wizards | 1988–89 through 1995–96 | 8 |
| Memphis Grizzlies | through | 8 |
| Denver Nuggets | through | 8 |
| Atlanta Hawks | through | 8 |
| New York Knicks | through | |
| through | 7 | |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | through | 7 |
| Milwaukee Bucks | through | 7 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | through | 7 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | through | 7 |
| Portland Trail Blazers | through | 6 |
| Detroit Pistons | through | |
| through | 6 | |
| Boston Celtics | through | 6 |
| Chicago Bulls | through | 6 |
| Orlando Magic | through | 6 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | through | 6 |
| San Antonio Spurs ^ | 2019–20 through 2024–25 | 6 |
| Houston Rockets | through | 5 |
| Indiana Pacers | through | 5 |
| Brooklyn Nets | through | |
| through | 5 | |
| Toronto Raptors | through | 5 |
| Miami Heat | through | 3 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 2004–05 through 2006–07 | |
| 2011–12 through 2013–14 | ||
| 2018–19 through 2020–21 | 3 |
Longest post-season series win droughts in team history
Updated through the 2024–25 season.
| ^ | Denotes active drought |
|---|
| Team | Longest streak with | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| no post-season series wins | Seasons | ||||
| Los Angeles Clippers | 1976–77 through | 29 | |||
| Washington Wizards | 1982–83 through | 22 | |||
| Charlotte Hornets ^ | through 2024–25 | 21 | |||
| Sacramento Kings ^ | 2004–05 through | 21 | |||
| Minnesota Timberwolves | through | 19 | |||
| Indiana Pacers | through | 17 | |||
| Brooklyn Nets | through | 17 | |||
| Milwaukee Bucks | through | 17 | |||
| Detroit Pistons ^ | through | 16 | |||
| New York Knicks | through | 15 | |||
| Cleveland Cavaliers | through | 15 | |||
| Golden State Warriors | through | 15 | |||
| Memphis Grizzlies | through | 15 | |||
| Denver Nuggets | through | 14 | |||
| Toronto Raptors | through | 14 | |||
| Orlando Magic ^ | through | 14 | |||
| Portland Trail Blazers | through | 13 | |||
| Dallas Mavericks | through | 12 | |||
| Houston Rockets | through | 11 | |||
| Phoenix Suns | through | 10 | |||
| [Chicago Bulls ^ | through | 10 | |||
| Utah Jazz | 1974–75 through | 9 | |||
| Boston Celtics | through | 9 | |||
| Atlanta Hawks | through | 9 | |||
| New Orleans Pelicans | 2008–09 through 2016–17 | 9 | |||
| Philadelphia 76ers | through | ||||
| through | 8 | ||||
| Miami Heat | through | 8 | |||
| San Antonio Spurs ^ | through | 8 | |||
| Oklahoma City Thunder | through | ||||
| 2016–17 through 2022–23 | 7 | ||||
| Los Angeles Lakers | through | 7 |
Longest NBA Playoffs appearance droughts
:Appearance droughts updated through the 2024–25 season.
| ^ | Denotes active drought |
|---|
| Team | Streak (seasons) | NBA Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|
| appearance droughts | Reference | ||
| Sacramento Kings | 16 | 2006–2022 | |
| Buffalo Braves / San Diego / Los Angeles Clippers | 15 | 1977–1991 | |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 13 | 2005–2017 | |
| Golden State Warriors | 12 | 1995–2006 | |
| Dallas Mavericks | 10 | 1991–2000 | |
| Phoenix Suns | 10 | 2011–2020 | |
| New Orleans / Utah Jazz | 9 | 1975–1983 | |
| Golden State Warriors | 9 | 1978–1986 | |
| Sacramento Kings | 9 | 1987–1995 | |
| Charlotte Hornets ^ | 2017–Present | ||
| Washington Bullets | 8 | 1989–1996 | |
| Denver Nuggets | 8 | 1996–2003 | |
| Vancouver / Memphis Grizzlies | 8 | 1996–2003 | |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 8 | 1998–2005 | |
| Atlanta Hawks | 8 | 2000–2007 |
Longest Conference finals droughts
:Appearance droughts updated through May 16, 2025. The current Conference Finals format was introduced in 1971.
| † | Year the team joined the NBA |
|---|
| Seasons | Team | NBA Conference Finals | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| appearance droughts | Reference | |||
| 50 | Los Angeles Clippers | 1971†–2020 | ||
| Washington Wizards^ | 1980–present | |||
| 44 | Atlanta Hawks | 1971–2014 | ||
| 38 | Golden State Warriors | 1977–2014 | ||
| Charlotte Hornets^ | 1989†–present | |||
| 25 | New Jersey Nets | 1977†–2001 | ||
| 24 | New York Knicks | 2001–2024 | ||
| Philadelphia 76ers^ | 2002–present | |||
| 23 | Denver Nuggets | 1986–2008 | ||
| Sacramento Kings | 2003–present | |||
| New Orleans Pelicans^ | 2003†–present | |||
| Brooklyn Nets^ | 2004–present | |||
| 20 | Toronto Raptors | 1996†–2015 | ||
| 20 | Sacramento Kings | 1982–2001 |
- Streak includes seasons as Buffalo Braves and San Diego Clippers.
- Team last qualified for the Conference Finals as Washington Bullets.
- Franchise inactive for two seasons between 2002 and 2004.
- Current Brooklyn Nets; includes one season as New York Nets.
- Includes four seasons as Kansas City Kings.
NBA Division Championship droughts
Updated through the 2024–25 season.
| ♦ | 2024–25 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 ^ | (enfranchised 1988–89) | ||
| Minnesota Timberwolves ^ | 2003–04 | ||
| Brooklyn Nets | 2005–06 | ||
| New Orleans Pelicans ^ | 2007–08 | ||
| Detroit Pistons | 2007–08 | ||
| Chicago Bulls | 2011–12 | ||
| New York Knicks | 2012–13 | ||
| Indiana Pacers | 2013–14 | ||
| San Antonio Spurs | 2016–17 | ||
| Washington Wizards | 2016–17 | ||
| Portland Trail Blazers | 2017–18 | ||
| Golden State Warriors | 2018–19 | ||
| Toronto Raptors | 2019–20 | ||
| Atlanta Hawks | 2020–21 | ||
| Philadelphia 76ers | 2020–21 | ||
| Phoenix Suns | 2021–22 | ||
| Utah Jazz | 2021–22 | ||
| Sacramento Kings | 2022–23 | ||
| Memphis Grizzlies | 2022–23 | ||
| Miami Heat | 2022–23 | ||
| Denver Nuggets | 2022–23 | ||
| Milwaukee Bucks | 2023–24 | ||
| Dallas Mavericks | 2023–24 | ||
| Los Angeles Clippers | 2023–24 | ||
| Boston Celtics ♦ | 2024–25 | ||
| Cleveland Cavaliers ♦ | 2024–25 | ||
| Orlando Magic ♦ | 2024–25 | ||
| Oklahoma City Thunder ♦ | 2024–25 | ||
| Los Angeles Lakers ♦ | 2024–25 | ||
| Houston Rockets ♦ | 2024–25 |
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 |
|---|
| Season | Won | Lost | Number of years until |
|---|---|---|---|
| loser's drought ended | |||
| 2006* | Miami Heat | Dallas Mavericks | 5 |
| 1978 | Washington Bullets | Seattle SuperSonics (OKC) | 1 |
| 1971* | Milwaukee Bucks | Baltimore Bullets (WAS) | 7 |
| 1957* | Boston Celtics | St. Louis Hawks (ATL) | 1 |
| 1955 | Syracuse Nationals (PHI) | Fort Wayne Pistons (DET)^ | 34 |
| 1951* | Rochester Royals (SAC)^ | New York Knicks | 19 |
| 1949* | Minneapolis Lakers (LAL)^ | Washington Capitols† | folded 2 years later |
| 1947* | Philadelphia Warriors (GSW) | Chicago Stags† | folded 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.
The 2025 NBA Finals featured the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder; the last championship won by either team was in 1979.
| Season | Won | Drought (seasons) | Lost | Drought (seasons) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Oklahoma City Thunder | Indiana Pacers | * | ||
| 2021 | Milwaukee Bucks | Phoenix Suns | * | ||
| 2015 | Golden State Warriors | Cleveland Cavaliers | * | ||
| 2006 | Miami Heat | * | Dallas Mavericks | * | |
| 1999 | San Antonio Spurs | * | New York Knicks | ||
| 1994 | Houston Rockets | * | New York Knicks | ||
| 1978 | Washington Bullets | * | Seattle SuperSonics | * | |
| 1971 | Milwaukee Bucks | * | Baltimore Bullets | * | |
| 1957 | Boston Celtics | * | St. Louis Hawks | * | |
| 1955 | Syracuse Nationals | * | Fort Wayne Pistons | * | |
| 1951 | Rochester Royals | * | New York Knicks | * | |
| 1949* | Minneapolis Lakers | * | Washington Capitols† | * | |
| 1947 | Philadelphia Warriors | * | Chicago Stags† | * |
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.
| Total seasons | ||
|---|---|---|
| (NBA) | Franchise | Last NBA Finals |
| appearance | ||
| seasons | Phoenix Suns (1969–present) | 2021 |
| seasons | Los Angeles Clippers§ (1971–present) | — |
| seasons | Utah Jazz§ (1975–present) | 1998 |
| seasons | Indiana Pacers‡ (1977–present) | 2025 |
| seasons | Brooklyn Nets§‡ (1977–present) | 2003 |
| seasons | Minnesota Timberwolves (1990–present) | — |
| seasons | Orlando Magic (1990–present) | 2009 |
| seasons | Charlotte Hornets† (1989–2002; 2005–present) | — |
| seasons | Memphis Grizzlies§ (1996–present) | — |
| 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.
| City | Seasons waited | Conference Title(s) | NBA Team(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | 1976, 1993, 2021 | Phoenix Suns (1969–present) | |
| Atlanta | None | Atlanta Hawks (1969–present) | |
| Indianapolis | 2000, 2025 | Indiana Pacers (1977–present) | |
| Salt Lake City | 1997, 1998 | Utah Jazz (1980–present) | |
| Sacramento | None | Sacramento Kings (1986–present) | |
| Orlando | 1995, 2009 | Orlando Magic (1990–present) | |
| Charlotte | None | Charlotte Hornets (1989–2002; 2015–present) | |
| Charlotte Bobcats (2005–2014) | |||
| New Orleans | None | New Orleans Jazz (1974–1979) | |
| New Orleans Hornets (2003–2013) | |||
| New Orleans Pelicans (2014–present) | |||
| Memphis | None | Memphis Grizzlies (2002–present) |
NBA Championship droughts by division
| Division | Last NBA Championship | Seasons |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Division | 2013 — Heat | |
| Southwest Division | 2014 — Spurs | |
| Central Division | 2021 — Bucks | |
| Pacific Division | 2022 — Warriors | |
| Atlantic Division | 2024 — Celtics | |
| Northwest Division | 2025 — Thunder |
References
Specific
General
References
- Newberry, Paul. (May 10, 2015). "NBA: NFL has most parity, NBA is most exclusive club when it comes to winning titles".
- Major League Baseball [[List of Major League Baseball franchise postseason droughts#Longest current World Series championship drought. has 22]] different franchises that have won championships and have droughts of less than 38 years; the National Football League [[List of NFL franchise post-season droughts#Active Super Bowl win droughts. has 18]] such franchises, and the National Hockey League [[List of NHL franchise post-season droughts#Stanley Cup droughts. has 18]] such franchises.
- Aldridge, David. (June 6, 2015). "Warriors close in on title ... and keep NBA history afloat". NBA.com.
- "NBA Advanced Stats–Playoff Picture". NBA Media Ventures, LLC.
- "Charlotte Hornets". basketball-reference.com.
- "San Antonio Spurs". basketball-reference.com.
- "Portland Trail Blazers". basketball-reference.com.
- "Washington Wizards". basketball-reference.com.
- "Utah Jazz". basketball-reference.com.
- "Toronto Raptors". basketball-reference.com.
- "Chicago Bulls". basketball-reference.com.
- "Brooklyn Nets". basketball-reference.com.
- "Sacramento Kings". basketball-reference.com.
- "Phoenix Suns". basketball-reference.com.
- "Philadelphia 76ers". basketball-reference.com.
- "Dallas Mavericks". basketball-reference.com.
- "Milwaukee Bucks". basketball-reference.com.
- "Detroit Pistons". basketball-reference.com.
- "Orlando Magic". basketball-reference.com.
- "Miami Heat". basketball-reference.com.
- "Houston Rockets". basketball-reference.com.
- "Los Angeles Lakers". basketball-reference.com.
- "Los Angeles Clippers". basketball-reference.com.
- "Memphis Grizzlies". basketball-reference.com.
- "Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com.
- "Boston Celtics". basketball-reference.com.
- "Denver Nuggets". basketball-reference.com.
- "Golden State Warriors". basketball-reference.com.
- "Minnesota Timberwolves". basketball-reference.com.
- "New York Knicks". basketball-reference.com.
- "Oklahoma City Thunder". basketball-reference.com.
- "Indiana Pacers". basketball-reference.com.
- "Atlanta Hawks". basketball-reference.com.
- "New Orleans Pelicans". basketball-reference.com.
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