NBA Franchise Single-Season Win Records
Every NBA franchise has experienced a season that stands above the rest in terms of regular-season victories. Some of those historic seasons ended with NBA championships, while others concluded with disappointing playoff eliminations.
The Golden State Warriors hold the all-time NBA record with 73 victories during the 2015-16 season, surpassing the 72 wins recorded by the Chicago Bulls in 1995-96. Despite their record-breaking performance, the Warriors lost the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The table below lists the highest regular-season win total for each of the NBA's 30 current franchises. Where a franchise reached its highest total in more than one season, every tied season is included.
Records include seasons played under previous franchise names or in previous cities. For example, the New Orleans Pelicans' record includes their New Orleans Hornets seasons, while the Washington Wizards' record includes the Washington Bullets era.
Every NBA Team's Highest Single-Season Win Total
| NBA Franchise |
Wins |
Record |
Season |
Playoff Result |
| Atlanta Hawks | 60 | 60-22 | 2014-15 | Lost Eastern Conference Finals |
| Boston Celtics | 68 | 68-14 | 1972-73 | Lost Eastern Conference Finals |
| Brooklyn Nets | 52 | 52-30 | 2001-02 | Lost NBA Finals |
| Charlotte Hornets | 54 | 54-28 | 1996-97 | Lost First Round |
| Chicago Bulls | 72 | 72-10 | 1995-96 | Won NBA Championship |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 66 | 66-16 | 2008-09 | Lost Eastern Conference Finals |
| Dallas Mavericks | 67 | 67-15 | 2006-07 | Lost First Round |
| Denver Nuggets | 57 | 57-25 | 2012-13 | Lost First Round |
| Denver Nuggets | 57 | 57-25 | 2023-24 | Lost Western Conference Semifinals |
| Detroit Pistons | 64 | 64-18 | 2005-06 | Lost Eastern Conference Finals |
| Golden State Warriors | 73 | 73-9 | 2015-16 | Lost NBA Finals |
| Houston Rockets | 65 | 65-17 | 2017-18 | Lost Western Conference Finals |
| Indiana Pacers | 61 | 61-21 | 2003-04 | Lost Eastern Conference Finals |
| Los Angeles Clippers | 57 | 57-25 | 2013-14 | Lost Western Conference Semifinals |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 69 | 69-13 | 1971-72 | Won NBA Championship |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 56 | 56-26 | 2012-13 | Lost Western Conference Finals |
| Memphis Grizzlies | 56 | 56-26 | 2021-22 | Lost Western Conference Semifinals |
| Miami Heat | 66 | 66-16 | 2012-13 | Won NBA Championship |
| Milwaukee Bucks | 66 | 66-16 | 1970-71 | Won NBA Championship |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 58 | 58-24 | 2003-04 | Lost Western Conference Finals |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 56 | 56-26 | 2007-08 | Lost Western Conference Semifinals |
| New York Knicks | 60 | 60-22 | 1969-70 | Won NBA Championship |
| New York Knicks | 60 | 60-22 | 1992-93 | Lost Eastern Conference Finals |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 68 | 68-14 | 2024-25 | Won NBA Championship |
| Orlando Magic | 60 | 60-22 | 1995-96 | Lost Eastern Conference Finals |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 68 | 68-13 | 1966-67 | Won NBA Championship |
| Phoenix Suns | 64 | 64-18 | 2021-22 | Lost Western Conference Semifinals |
| Portland Trail Blazers | 63 | 63-19 | 1990-91 | Lost Western Conference Finals |
| Sacramento Kings | 61 | 61-21 | 2001-02 | Lost Western Conference Finals |
| San Antonio Spurs | 67 | 67-15 | 2015-16 | Lost Western Conference Semifinals |
| Toronto Raptors | 59 | 59-23 | 2017-18 | Lost Eastern Conference Semifinals |
| Utah Jazz | 64 | 64-18 | 1996-97 | Lost NBA Finals |
| Washington Wizards | 60 | 60-22 | 1974-75 | Lost NBA Finals |
Regular-season records only. Historical franchise names are consolidated under current franchise identities. The 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers played an 81-game schedule. The list includes tied franchise records.
Franchise Record Seasons That Ended With NBA Championships
Winning more regular-season games than any previous team in franchise history does not guarantee a championship. In fact, only seven of the 30 current NBA franchises won an NBA title during a season that established or tied their franchise record for regular-season victories.
The Philadelphia 76ers were the first of these seven franchises to accomplish the feat, winning 68 games in 1966-67 before capturing the NBA championship. The most recent example came in 2024-25, when the Oklahoma City Thunder won 68 games and went on to win their first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City.
| Season |
Team |
Record |
NBA Finals Result |
| 1966-67 | Philadelphia 76ers | 68-13 | Defeated San Francisco Warriors, 4-2 |
| 1969-70 | New York Knicks | 60-22 | Defeated Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3 |
| 1970-71 | Milwaukee Bucks | 66-16 | Defeated Baltimore Bullets, 4-0 |
| 1971-72 | Los Angeles Lakers | 69-13 | Defeated New York Knicks, 4-1 |
| 1995-96 | Chicago Bulls | 72-10 | Defeated Seattle SuperSonics, 4-2 |
| 2012-13 | Miami Heat | 66-16 | Defeated San Antonio Spurs, 4-3 |
| 2024-25 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 68-14 | Defeated Indiana Pacers, 4-3 |
Highest Single-Season Win Totals in NBA History
The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors remain the only NBA team to win 73 regular-season games. They broke the record established by Michael Jordan's 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, who won 72 games and went on to win the championship.
Other legendary teams include the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, the 1966-67 Philadelphia 76ers and the 1985-86 Boston Celtics. The 2024-25 Oklahoma City Thunder joined the league's elite group by winning 68 games and the NBA championship.
| Wins | Team | Season | Record | NBA Champion? |
|---|
| 73 | Golden State Warriors | 2015-16 | 73-9 | No |
| 72 | Chicago Bulls | 1995-96 | 72-10 | Yes |
| 69 | Los Angeles Lakers | 1971-72 | 69-13 | Yes |
| 69 | Chicago Bulls | 1996-97 | 69-13 | Yes |
| 68 | Philadelphia 76ers | 1966-67 | 68-13 | Yes |
| 68 | Boston Celtics | 1972-73 | 68-14 | No |
| 68 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 2024-25 | 68-14 | Yes |
| 67 | Boston Celtics | 1985-86 | 67-15 | Yes |
| 67 | Chicago Bulls | 1991-92 | 67-15 | Yes |
| 67 | Los Angeles Lakers | 1999-2000 | 67-15 | Yes |
| 67 | Dallas Mavericks | 2006-07 | 67-15 | No |
| 67 | Golden State Warriors | 2014-15 | 67-15 | Yes |
| 67 | San Antonio Spurs | 2015-16 | 67-15 | No |
| 67 | Golden State Warriors | 2016-17 | 67-15 | Yes |
Historical Notes and Interesting Facts
Golden State's 73 Wins Did Not Produce a Championship
The 2015-16 Warriors finished with a remarkable 73-9 record, but lost the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers after leading the series three games to one. Golden State's defeat remains one of the most famous examples of regular-season dominance failing to produce a championship.
Dallas Lost in the First Round After Winning 67 Games
The 2006-07 Dallas Mavericks won 67 games and entered the playoffs as the Western Conference's top seed. However, they were eliminated in six games by the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors, one of the most memorable first-round upsets in NBA history.
The 1972-73 Celtics Won 68 Games Without Reaching the Finals
Boston finished the regular season with a franchise-record 68-14 mark but lost the Eastern Conference Finals to the New York Knicks in seven games. The Celtics' 68 victories remain their highest single-season total, even though the franchise has won numerous championships.
The Knicks Have Two 60-Win Seasons
New York won 60 games during the 1969-70 championship season and matched that total in 1992-93. The 1970 Knicks won the NBA title, while the 1993 team lost the Eastern Conference Finals to Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls.
Denver and Memphis Share a Distinction
Both the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies have matched their franchise single-season win records in two different seasons. Denver won 57 games in 2012-13 and 2023-24, while Memphis won 56 games in 2012-13 and 2021-22.
The 1966-67 76ers Played Only 81 Games
Philadelphia's 68-13 record is especially notable because the team played an 81-game schedule rather than the modern 82-game schedule. Led by Wilt Chamberlain, the 76ers ended Boston's eight-year championship streak and defeated the San Francisco Warriors in the NBA Finals.
Oklahoma City's Historic 2024-25 Season
The Thunder won a franchise-record 68 games in 2024-25 behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren. Oklahoma City completed its season by defeating the Indiana Pacers in seven games to win the NBA championship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which NBA team has the most wins in a single season?
The Golden State Warriors hold the record with 73 wins during the 2015-16 season.
What was the Chicago Bulls' best regular-season record?
The Bulls finished 72-10 in 1995-96, winning the NBA championship that season.
Which NBA teams won 68 games in a season?
The Philadelphia 76ers in 1966-67, Boston Celtics in 1972-73 and Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024-25 each won 68 regular-season games.
Did the 73-win Warriors win the NBA championship?
No. Golden State lost the 2016 NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games.
What is the highest single-season win total for the Los Angeles Lakers?
The Lakers won 69 games during the 1971-72 season and went on to win the NBA championship.
Which franchise has the most wins in one season without winning a championship?
The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors won 73 games but lost the NBA Finals.
Do historical franchise records include former cities and names?
Yes. The records follow franchise continuity, including previous cities and names, rather than treating each relocation as a separate franchise.
Related NBA Records and History
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