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List of NBA seasons

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The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the major professional basketball league in North America. The league was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). The league adopted its current name at the start of when it merged with the National Basketball League (NBL). The league currently consists of thirty teams, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada. Each team plays 82 games in the regular season. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs. The winners of the Conference finals advance to the finals to determine the NBA champions.

The Boston Celtics have had or tied for the best regular season record a record 19 times. They won the Eastern Conference 11 times, while the Los Angeles Lakers won the Western Conference 19 times. The Celtics have won 18 NBA championships, the most in NBA history. The Lakers also have a record 32 Finals appearances. The Celtics and the Lakers had played each other in the Finals for a record 12 times. The Celtics won 9 of their matchups while the Lakers have only won 3.

The best single regular season record was recorded by the Golden State Warriors in the . In that season, the Warriors recorded 73 wins and 9 losses with a winning percentage of .890, surpassing the 72-win 1995–96 Chicago Bulls, though the Bulls went on to win the Eastern Conference and the NBA championship. The 1996 Bulls and the 2016 Warriors are the only teams to win at least 70 games in a single season.

The Eastern champions have won 41 championships while the Western champions have won 37 championships. The defunct Central Division won one championship in 1950. Of the 78 championships, 35 of them were won by the teams who had or tied for the best regular season record. In 10 other occurrences, the teams who had or tied for the best regular season record, lost the Finals. Six teams that had the best regular season record and won the championships in the same season, were named to the list of Top 10 Teams in NBA History announced at the league's 50th anniversary in 1996. The Celtics, the Bulls, the Lakers and the Philadelphia 76ers each had two teams selected, while the Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks each had one team selected.

List

YearTop seedRecordYearEastern championWestern championYearChampionNo. of teamsNo. of gamesNotesRef.Regular seasonPlayoffsFinalsRegular seasonPlayoffsFinalsNo. of teamsNo. of gamesNotesRef.YearTop seedRecordYearEastern championWestern championYearChampion
Washington Capitols49–11 (.817)19471947Philadelphia Warriors1160–61Inaugural season (as BAA);
started with 11 teams
St. Louis Bombers29–19 (.604)19481948Baltimore Bullets8484 teams folded prior to the season;
1 ABL team joined
Rochester Royals45–15 (.750)19491949Minneapolis Lakers12604 NBL teams joined
Syracuse Nationals51–13 (.797)19501950Minneapolis Lakers1762–68BAA merged with NBL and was renamed NBA;
2 teams folded prior to the season;
6 NBL teams joined;
1 expansion team joined
Minneapolis Lakers44–24 (.647)19511951Rochester Royals1166–693 teams left the NBA for the NPBL;
3 teams folded prior to the season;
1 team folded during the season;
the first All-Star Game was held
Rochester Royals41–25 (.621)19521952Minneapolis Lakers1066
Minneapolis Lakers48–22 (.686)19531953Minneapolis Lakers1069–71
Minneapolis Lakers46–26 (.639)19541954Minneapolis Lakers9721 team folded prior to the season
Syracuse Nationals
Fort Wayne Pistons43–29 (.597)19551955Syracuse Nationals9721 team folded during the season
Philadelphia Warriors45–27 (.625)19561956Philadelphia Warriors872
Boston Celtics44–28 (.611)19571957Boston Celtics872
Boston Celtics49–23 (.681)19581958St. Louis Hawks872
Boston Celtics52–20 (.722)19591959Boston Celtics872
Boston Celtics59–16 (.787)19601960Boston Celtics875
Boston Celtics57–22 (.722)19611961Boston Celtics879
Boston Celtics60–20 (.750)19621962Boston Celtics9801 expansion team joined
Boston Celtics58–22 (.725)19631963Boston Celtics980
Boston Celtics59–21 (.738)19641964Boston Celtics980
Boston Celtics62–18 (.775)19651965Boston Celtics980Named as one of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History
Philadelphia 76ers55–25 (.688)19661966Boston Celtics980
Philadelphia 76ers68–13 (.840)19671967Philadelphia 76ers10811 expansion team joined;
named as one of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History
Philadelphia 76ers62–20 (.756)19681968Boston Celtics12822 expansion teams joined
Baltimore Bullets57–25 (.695)19691969Boston Celtics14822 expansion teams joined
New York Knicks60–22 (.732)19701970New York Knicks1482Named as one of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History
Milwaukee Bucks66–16 (.805)1971Baltimore BulletsMilwaukee Bucks1971Milwaukee Bucks17823 expansion teams joined;
25th anniversary season
Los Angeles Lakers69–13 (.841)1972New York KnicksLos Angeles Lakers1972Los Angeles Lakers1782Named as one of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History
Boston Celtics68–14 (.829)1973New York KnicksLos Angeles Lakers1973New York Knicks1782
Milwaukee Bucks59–23 (.720)1974Boston CelticsMilwaukee Bucks1974Boston Celtics1782
Boston Celtics60–22 (.732)1975Washington BulletsGolden State Warriors1975Golden State Warriors18821 expansion team joined
Golden State Warriors59–23 (.720)1976Boston CelticsPhoenix Suns1976Boston Celtics1882
Los Angeles Lakers53–29 (.646)1977Philadelphia 76ersPortland Trail Blazers1977Portland Trail Blazers2282ABA merged with NBA;
4 ABA teams joined
Portland Trail Blazers58–24 (.707)1978Washington BulletsSeattle SuperSonics1978Washington Bullets2282
Washington Bullets54–28 (.659)1979Washington BulletsSeattle SuperSonics1979Seattle SuperSonics2282
Boston Celtics61–21 (.744)1980Philadelphia 76ersLos Angeles Lakers1980Los Angeles Lakers2282
Boston Celtics62–20 (.756)1981Boston CelticsHouston Rockets1981Boston Celtics23821 expansion team joined;
35th Anniversary season
Boston Celtics63–19 (.768)1982Philadelphia 76ersLos Angeles Lakers1982Los Angeles Lakers2382
Philadelphia 76ers65–17 (.793)1983Philadelphia 76ersLos Angeles Lakers1983Philadelphia 76ers2382Named as one of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History
Boston Celtics62–20 (.756)1984Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers1984Boston Celtics2382
Boston Celtics63–19 (.768)1985Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers1985Los Angeles Lakers2382
Boston Celtics67–15 (.817)1986Boston CelticsHouston Rockets1986Boston Celtics2382Named as one of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History
Los Angeles Lakers65–17 (.793)1987Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers1987Los Angeles Lakers2382Named as one of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History
Los Angeles Lakers62–20 (.756)1988Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Lakers1988Los Angeles Lakers2382
Detroit Pistons63–19 (.768)1989Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Lakers1989Detroit Pistons25822 expansion teams joined;
named as one of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History
Los Angeles Lakers63–19 (.768)1990Detroit PistonsPortland Trail Blazers1990Detroit Pistons27822 expansion teams joined
Portland Trail Blazers63–19 (.768)1991Chicago BullsLos Angeles Lakers1991Chicago Bulls2782
Chicago Bulls67–15 (.817)1992Chicago BullsPortland Trail Blazers1992Chicago Bulls2782Named as one of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History
Phoenix Suns62–20 (.756)1993Chicago BullsPhoenix Suns1993Chicago Bulls2782
Seattle SuperSonics63–19 (.768)1994New York KnicksHouston Rockets1994Houston Rockets2782
San Antonio Spurs62–20 (.756)1995Orlando MagicHouston Rockets1995Houston Rockets2782
Chicago Bulls72–10 (.878)1996Chicago BullsSeattle SuperSonics1996Chicago Bulls29822 expansion teams joined;
50th anniversary season;
Named as one of the Top 10 Teams in NBA History
Chicago Bulls69–13 (.841)1997Chicago BullsUtah Jazz1997Chicago Bulls2982
Utah Jazz62–20 (.756)1998Chicago BullsUtah Jazz1998Chicago Bulls2982
San Antonio Spurs37–13 (.740)1999New York KnicksSan Antonio Spurs1999San Antonio Spurs2950Season delayed and shortened due to a lockout
Los Angeles Lakers67–15 (.817)2000Indiana PacersLos Angeles Lakers2000Los Angeles Lakers2982
San Antonio Spurs58–24 (.707)2001Philadelphia 76ersLos Angeles Lakers2001Los Angeles Lakers2982
Sacramento Kings61–21 (.744)2002New Jersey NetsLos Angeles Lakers2002Los Angeles Lakers2982
San Antonio Spurs60–22 (.732)2003New Jersey NetsSan Antonio Spurs2003San Antonio Spurs2982
Indiana Pacers61–21 (.744)2004Detroit PistonsLos Angeles Lakers2004Detroit Pistons2982
Phoenix Suns62–20 (.756)2005Detroit PistonsSan Antonio Spurs2005San Antonio Spurs30821 expansion team joined
Detroit Pistons64–18 (.780)2006Miami HeatDallas Mavericks2006Miami Heat3082
Dallas Mavericks67–15 (.817)2007Cleveland CavaliersSan Antonio Spurs2007San Antonio Spurs3082
Boston Celtics66–16 (.805)2008Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers2008Boston Celtics3082
Cleveland Cavaliers66–16 (.805)2009Orlando MagicLos Angeles Lakers2009Los Angeles Lakers3082
Cleveland Cavaliers61–21 (.744)2010Boston CelticsLos Angeles Lakers2010Los Angeles Lakers3082
Chicago Bulls62–20 (.756)2011Miami HeatDallas Mavericks2011Dallas Mavericks3082
Chicago Bulls50–16 (.758)2012Miami HeatOklahoma City Thunder2012Miami Heat3066Season delayed and shortened due to a lockout
Miami Heat66–16 (.805)2013Miami HeatSan Antonio Spurs2013Miami Heat3081–82Celtics and Pacers played 81 games due to the cancellation of a scheduled April 16, 2013 game (following the Boston Marathon bombing)
San Antonio Spurs62–20 (.756)2014Miami HeatSan Antonio Spurs2014San Antonio Spurs3082
Golden State Warriors67–15 (.817)2015Cleveland CavaliersGolden State Warriors2015Golden State Warriors3082Hornets and Pelicans traded history
Golden State Warriors73–9 (.890)2016Cleveland CavaliersGolden State Warriors2016Cleveland Cavaliers3082
Golden State Warriors67–15 (.817)2017Cleveland CavaliersGolden State Warriors2017Golden State Warriors3082
Houston Rockets65–17 (.793)2018Cleveland CavaliersGolden State Warriors2018Golden State Warriors3082
Milwaukee Bucks60–22 (.732)2019Toronto RaptorsGolden State Warriors2019Toronto Raptors3082Last 82-game season until
Milwaukee Bucks56–17 (.767)2020Miami HeatLos Angeles Lakers2020Los Angeles Lakers3064–75Season suspended and shortened due to COVID-19 pandemic
Utah Jazz52–20 (.722)2021Milwaukee BucksPhoenix Suns2021Milwaukee Bucks3072Season delayed and shortened due to COVID-19 pandemic
Phoenix Suns64–18 (.780)2022Boston CelticsGolden State Warriors2022Golden State Warriors308275th anniversary season
Season returned to a normal 82-game slate from October to April
Milwaukee Bucks58–24 (.707)2023Miami HeatDenver Nuggets2023Denver Nuggets3082
Boston Celtics64–18 (.780)2024Boston CelticsDallas Mavericks2024Boston Celtics3082
Oklahoma City Thunder68–14 (.829)2025Indiana PacersOklahoma City Thunder2025Oklahoma City Thunder3082

Notes

  • Each year is linked to an article about that particular BAA/NBA season.
  • Each year is linked to an article about the BAA/NBA playoffs in that year.
  • Each year is linked to an article about the BAA/NBA Finals in that year.
  • Number of teams that participated in that particular season, including any teams that folded during the season.
  • Number of regular season games played by each team.
  • All team additions and subtractions occurred before the start of the season unless stated otherwise.
  • Prior to 1971, there were no Eastern and Western champions, because the BAA Semifinals/Division finals were meant to determine the BAA/NBA finalists, while division titles were always a regular season achievement.
  • The original Baltimore Bullets, who folded in , are not affiliated with the present-day Washington Wizards, who were known as the Baltimore/Capital/Washington Bullets from to .
  • The Anderson Packers, who folded in , are not affiliated with the present-day Washington Wizards, who were known as the Chicago Packers during the 1961–62 season.
  • Due to the NBA's realignment into three divisions, the division champion with the best regular season record qualified automatically for the NBA Finals while the other two division champions faced off in the NBA semifinals to determine the other finalist. Eastern Division champion Syracuse had the best regular season record among the division champions, causing Central Division (no relation to the current Central Division) champion Minneapolis Lakers to face Western Division champion Anderson Packers in the NBA semifinals. The Lakers defeated the Packers to go to the Finals.
  • There was no tiebreaker. Two teams with the best record received a first-round bye in the playoffs.
  • Despite having the same record as the Washington Bullets, the Boston Celtics clinched top seed by winning the tiebreaker.
  • Despite having the same record as the Philadelphia 76ers, the Boston Celtics clinched top seed by winning the tiebreaker.
  • Despite having the same record as the Chicago Bulls, the Utah Jazz clinched top seed by virtue of winning their regular season series 2–0.
  • Despite having the same record as the Utah Jazz, the San Antonio Spurs clinched top seed by virtue of winning their regular season series 2–1.
  • Despite having the same record as the Dallas Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs clinched top seed by virtue of having a better conference record (36–16 vs. Dallas's 34–18). The teams split their regular season series 2–2.
  • Despite having the same record as the San Antonio Spurs, the Chicago Bulls clinched top seed by virtue of their only regular season meeting between them, a 96–89 victory by the Bulls on February 29, 2012.

References

;General

;Specific

References

  1. Goldaper, Sam. "The First Game". National Basketball Association.
  2. "1949–50 Season Overview: Powerful Lakers Repeat". National Basketball Association.
  3. "Warriors Complete Comeback Over Jazz". National Basketball Association.
  4. "Top 10 Teams in NBA History". National Basketball Association.
  5. "1946–47 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  6. "1947–48 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  7. "1948–49 BAA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  8. "1949–50 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  9. "1950–51 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  10. "1951–52 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  11. "1952–53 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  12. "1953–54 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  13. "1954–55 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  14. "1955–56 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  15. "1956–57 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  16. "1957–58 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  17. "1958–59 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  18. "1959–60 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  19. "1960–61 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  20. "1961–62 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  21. "1962–63 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  22. "1963–64 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  23. "1964–65 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  24. "1965–66 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  25. "1966–67 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  26. "1967–68 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  27. "1968–69 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  28. "1969–70 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  29. "1970–71 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  30. "1971–72 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  31. "1972–73 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  32. "1973–74 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  33. "1974–75 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  34. "1975–76 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  35. "1976–77 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  36. "1977–78 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  37. "1978–79 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  38. "1979–80 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  39. "1980–81 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  40. "1981–82 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  41. "1982–83 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  42. "1983–84 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  43. "1984–85 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  44. "1985–86 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  45. "1986–87 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  46. "1987–88 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  47. "1988–89 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  48. "1989–90 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  49. "1990–91 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  50. "1991–92 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  51. "1992–93 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  52. "1993–94 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  53. "1994–95 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  54. "1995–96 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  55. "1996–97 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  56. "1997–98 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  57. "1998–99 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  58. "1999–00 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  59. "2000–01 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  60. "2001–02 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  61. "2002–03 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  62. "2003–04 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  63. "2004–05 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  64. "2005–06 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  65. "2006–07 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  66. "2007–08 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  67. "2008–09 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  68. "2009–10 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  69. "2010–11 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  70. "2011–12 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  71. "2012–13 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  72. "2013–14 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  73. "2014–15 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  74. "2015–16 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  75. "2016–17 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference.com.
  76. "2017–18 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference.com.
  77. "2018–19 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference.com.
  78. "2019–20 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference.com.
  79. "2020–21 NBA Season Summary". Basketball-Reference.com.
  80. "2021–22 NBA Season Summary".
  81. "2022–23 NBA Season Summary".
  82. "2023–24 NBA Season Summary".
  83. "2024–25 NBA Season Summary".
  84. "Baltimore Bullets Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com.
  85. "Washington Wizards Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com.
  86. "Anderson Packers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com.
  87. "1954–55 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  88. "1955 NBA Playoff Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  89. "1974–75 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  90. "1980–81 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com.
  91. "1997–98 Utah Jazz Team Splits". basketball-reference.com.
  92. "1998–99 San Antonio Spurs Team Splits". basketball-reference.com.
  93. "2002–03 San Antonio Spurs Team Splits". basketball-reference.com.
  94. "2002–03 Dallas Mavericks Team Splits". basketball-reference.com.
  95. "Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs Box Score, February 29, 2012". basketball-reference.com.
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