The NBA, founded in 1946, has been home to countless spectacular athletes and memorable moments.
While many franchises have experienced the ultimate success of winning an NBA Championship, some still have yet to taste victory.
This blog post will dive into the history of the NBA teams that have not yet won a championship, examining their journey and their quest for the elusive title.
In a league filled with talent, fierce competition, and high stakes, these teams continue to fight for their moment in the spotlight, striving to etch their names in the annals of basketball history.
In a hurry? Here is a list of every NBA team without a championship:
- Phoenix Suns
- Utah Jazz
- Indiana Pacers
- Denver Nuggets
- Brooklyn Nets
- LA Clippers
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Charlotte Hornets
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- Orlando Magic
- Sacramento Kings
Phoenix Suns
Established in 1968, the Phoenix Suns have a storied history in the NBA. They have made the NBA Finals on three occasions (1976, 1993, and 2021) but have yet to win a championship.
The Suns have had several Hall of Famers, such as Charles Barkley and Steve Nash, wear their jersey, and have enjoyed sustained success, particularly in the 2000s.
With a young core led by Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, the Suns’ future looks bright, and they are primed to compete for a championship in the coming years.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz joined the NBA in 1974, and while they’ve had their fair share of success, an NBA Championship still eludes them.
The Jazz came closest to winning a title during the late 1990s, led by the iconic duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton.
They reached the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998 but fell short against the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in both instances.
In recent years, the Jazz have fielded a competitive roster led by Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, and fans hope that the team can finally claim their first title soon.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have a rich basketball history, with origins in the ABA, where they won three championships.
However, since joining the NBA in 1976, the Pacers have not been able to secure an NBA Championship. Indiana reached the NBA Finals in 2000 but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Notable players such as Reggie Miller and Paul George have represented the Pacers.
The team remains competitive, led by Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon, hoping to capture their first NBA title.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets, another franchise that originated in the ABA, joined the NBA in 1976. The team has made the playoffs numerous times but has never advanced to the NBA Finals.
Their closest attempt came in 2009 when they reached the Western Conference Finals led by Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups.
With a talented roster featuring Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, the Nuggets are poised to make a deep playoff run and potentially capture their first NBA Championship.
Brooklyn Nets
Established in 1967 as the New Jersey Americans in the ABA, the Brooklyn Nets joined the NBA in 1976.
The team has reached the NBA Finals twice (2002 and 2003) but has not won a championship.
In recent years, the Nets have acquired star power in the form of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, making them a formidable contender for an NBA title.
LA Clippers
Founded in 1970 as the Buffalo Braves, the LA Clippers have yet to win an NBA Championship. The team moved to San Diego in 1978 and later to Los Angeles in 1984.
Throughout their history, the Clippers have often been overshadowed by their more successful city rivals, the LA Lakers. Despite acquiring star players like Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan in the past, the Clippers have never advanced to the NBA Finals.
Led by Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, the team remains a strong contender and hopes to finally break through and win their first championship.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies entered the NBA in 1995 as an expansion team located in Vancouver before relocating to Memphis in 2001.
The franchise has never reached the NBA Finals, with their best result being a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2013.
The Grizzlies have had notable players such as Pau Gasol and Marc Gasol wear their jersey, and with a young core led by Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., the team’s future looks promising as they continue to chase their first title.
Charlotte Hornets
The Charlotte Hornets were established in 1988 as an expansion team. Despite making multiple playoff appearances, the franchise has never advanced to the NBA Finals.
The team briefly became the Charlotte Bobcats from 2004 to 2014 before regaining their original name.
The Hornets have seen standout players like Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson in their history, and they now look to build around young stars like LaMelo Ball in pursuit of their first NBA Championship.
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans were founded in 2002 as the New Orleans Hornets before changing their name in 2013.
The franchise has yet to reach the NBA Finals or win a championship.
With a talented roster featuring players such as Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, the Pelicans look to establish themselves as a perennial contender and chase their first title.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves joined the NBA in 1989 as an expansion team. The franchise’s best season came in 2004 when they reached the Western Conference Finals, led by MVP Kevin Garnett.
Despite having other notable players such as Kevin Love and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Timberwolves have not been able to replicate that success.
The team continues to rebuild and develop young talent in hopes of finally capturing their first championship.
Orlando Magic
Established in 1989, the Orlando Magic have reached the NBA Finals twice (1995 and 2009) but have not won a championship.
The team has had Hall of Famers like Shaquille O’Neal and Tracy McGrady don their jersey, but the elusive title remains out of reach.
Currently rebuilding, the Magic hope to develop their young core and eventually compete for their first NBA title.
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings franchise dates back to 1945 and has had several name changes and relocations.
Despite winning an NBA Championship in 1951 as the Rochester Royals, the team has not won a title since relocating to Sacramento in 1985.
The Kings came close to reaching the NBA Finals in 2002 but lost to the Lakers in a controversial Western Conference Finals series.
The team is now focused on developing young talent and hopes to bring a championship to Sacramento in the future.
Atlanta Hawks
While the Atlanta Hawks franchise has existed since 1946 and won an NBA Championship in 1958 as the St. Louis Hawks, they have not secured a title since relocating to Atlanta in 1968.
The team has had numerous playoff appearances and has been home to great players like Dominique Wilkins and Dikembe Mutombo.
With a young and talented roster led by Trae Young, the Hawks look
What is the oldest NBA team without a championship?
The oldest NBA team without a championship is the Atlanta Hawks. The franchise was originally established in 1946 as the Buffalo Bisons, playing in the NBL, before relocating and becoming the Tri-Cities Blackhawks.
They later moved to Milwaukee and then to St. Louis, where they won an NBA Championship in 1958 as the St. Louis Hawks. However, since relocating to Atlanta in 1968, the team has not won a championship.
Has an 8 seed ever beat a 1 seed?
Yes, an 8 seed has beaten a 1 seed in the NBA playoffs on several occasions. The first time this happened was in 1994 when the Denver Nuggets defeated the Seattle SuperSonics in a best-of-five first-round series.
In 1999, the New York Knicks, as an 8 seed, not only defeated the Miami Heat (1 seed) but also advanced to the NBA Finals, becoming the lowest-seeded team ever to do so.
The most recent instance was in 2012 when the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Chicago Bulls in the first round.
What NBA team has the longest playoff drought?
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the Sacramento Kings have the longest active playoff drought.
The Kings have not made the playoffs since the 2005-2006 season, marking 15 consecutive seasons without a postseason appearance.
How long has it been since each team last made The Finals?
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, here is a list of the last time each team made the NBA Finals:
- Phoenix Suns: 2021
- Utah Jazz: 1998
- Indiana Pacers: 2000
- Denver Nuggets: Never reached The Finals
- Brooklyn Nets: 2003 (as New Jersey Nets)
- LA Clippers: Never reached The Finals
- Memphis Grizzlies: Never reached The Finals
- Charlotte Hornets: Never reached The Finals
- New Orleans Pelicans: Never reached The Finals
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Never reached The Finals
- Orlando Magic: 2009
- Sacramento Kings: 1951 (as Rochester Royals, won the championship, but never reached The Finals since relocating to Sacramento)
- Atlanta Hawks: 1961 (as St. Louis Hawks)
Please note that this information is accurate as of September 2021 and may not reflect each team’s most recent NBA Finals appearances.
Which team has the longest active streak without making the playoffs?
As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the Sacramento Kings have the longest active streak without making the playoffs.
The Kings have not made the playoffs since the 2005-2006 season, marking 15 consecutive seasons without a postseason appearance.
Which NBA team without a championship has the most Conference Finals appearances?
The Phoenix Suns have the most Conference Finals appearances among teams without a championship, having reached this stage nine times in their history (1976, 1979, 1984, 1989, 1990, 1993, 2005, 2010, and 2021).
Which team without an NBA Championship has the highest all-time winning percentage?
As of September 2021, the Utah Jazz hold the highest all-time winning percentage among teams without an NBA Championship, with a winning percentage of .545.
Which player has the most playoff appearances without winning an NBA Championship?
Karl Malone, who spent the majority of his career with the Utah Jazz and one season with the Los Angeles Lakers, holds the record for the most playoff appearances without winning an NBA Championship.
Malone played in the playoffs 19 times during his career but never won a title.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while several NBA teams have yet to win a championship, their histories are filled with memorable moments, incredible players, and intense battles on the court.
These franchises continue to strive for the ultimate success in basketball, chasing the elusive NBA Championship.
As fans, we can only look forward to the day when each of these teams reaches the pinnacle of the sport and finally hoists the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Until then, we will continue to enjoy the thrilling competition and extraordinary talent that the NBA has to offer.