Starting strong in an NBA season is a formidable challenge.
Basketball often tests the ability to maintain momentum over time—it requires the patience of a baseball fan with the urgency of a football enthusiast. Expect troublesome back-to-back games and unexpected defeats by weaker teams. October’s victors often falter by November, and they are usually not the champions by June.
Nevertheless, occasionally a team ignites perfectly to navigate through the early season challenges unblemished. This is currently the case for the Cleveland Cavaliers, placing them among the NBA’s elite early performers.
Below is an exploration of the top ten starts in NBA history.
Record-Breaking Opening Winning Streaks in NBA History
|
STREAK LENGTH |
TEAM |
PLAYOFF OUTCOME |
|---|---|---|
|
24 |
2016 Warriors |
Defeated in NBA Finals 4–3 by Cavaliers |
|
15 |
1949 Capitols |
Defeated in BAA Finals 4–2 by Lakers |
|
15 |
1994 Rockets |
NBA Champions, defeated Knicks 4–3 |
|
15 |
2025 Cavaliers |
TBD |
|
14 |
1958 Celtics |
Defeated in NBA Finals 4–2 by Hawks |
|
14 |
2003 Mavericks |
Defeated in Western Conference finals 4–2 by Spurs |
|
12 |
1983 SuperSonics |
Defeated in Western Conference first round 2–0 by Trail Blazers |
|
12 |
1997 Bulls |
NBA Champions, defeated Jazz 4–2 |
|
11 |
1965 Celtics |
NBA Champions, defeated Lakers 4–1 |
|
11 |
1991 Trail Blazers |
Defeated in Western Conference finals 4–2 by Lakers |
|
11 |
1998 Hawks |
Defeated in Eastern Conference first round 3–1 by Hornets |
|
11 |
1998 Lakers |
Defeated in Western Conference finals 4–0 by Jazz |
1. The 2016 Golden State Warriors
In 2016, the Golden State Warriors launched their season with a stunning 24-game winning streak, setting the stage for a historic 73-9 record. Their initial defeat was handed to them by the Milwaukee Bucks on December 12, 2015, in a highly publicized match where Bucks fans had prematurely celebrated with commemorative t-shirts.
As any Cavaliers fan would recall, despite their remarkable season, the Warriors were eventually bested by Cleveland in a thrilling seven-game NBA Finals.
T-2. The 1949 Washington Capitols
A forgotten gem of the NBA, the Washington Capitols, led by 31-year-old Red Auerbach, played at the Uline Arena, now an office complex in NoMa, Washington D.C. The team’s impressive 15-0 start was nearly halted in just the second game, a triple-overtime nail-biter against the Providence Steamrollers on November 4, 1948. Their undefeated run ended in Indianapolis against the Jets on December 7.
T-2. The 1994 Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets of 1994 also commenced their season with a 15-game winning streak, marking the longest successful beginning by an eventual NBA champion. Their streak included a memorable overtime victory against the Utah Jazz, whom they later defeated in the Western Conference finals. The streak concluded with a loss to the Atlanta Hawks on December 3, 1993. Despite this auspicious start, the Rockets finished the regular season as the Western Conference’s second seed, behind the 63-19 Seattle SuperSonics, who were upset by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
Where do the Cleveland Cavaliers rank?
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