Which NBA Teams Haven’t Won a Championship?

We take a look at which NBA teams haven’t won a championship, and how close they’ve come to winning one.

Introduction

In the history of the National Basketball Association (NBA), there have been a total of 69 teams that have played in the NBA Finals, winning at least one championship. Of those 69 teams, 37 have won more than one championship.

The list of teams below includes all 31 teams that have never won an NBA Championship.

NBA Teams That Haven’t Won a Championship

There are a total of 30 teams in the NBA. Of those 30 teams, only 8 have won a championship. That means that 22 teams have never won a championship. This article will take a look at those teams and see what their chances are of winning a title.

Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks are a professional basketball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team plays its home games at State Farm Arena.

The franchise began play as the Tri-Cities Blackhawks in the 1946–47 season, and were one of fourteen NBA teams that took to the court that year. In 1949, the Blackhawks moved to Milwaukee and became the Milwaukee Hawks. The team struggled in Milwaukee, and after being sold to a new owner later that year they relocated again to St. Louis. As the St. Louis Hawks, they enjoyed success under new head coach Ed Macauley who helped lead them to four NBA Finals appearances opposite fellow expansion franchise Minneapolis Lakers during his tenure – winning one championship in 1958 – but otherwise failed to make significant postseason progress until winning their division title for the first time in 1969 behind Hall of Famers Bob Pettit and Lou Hudson; they returned again two years later with another division crown before finally claiming their maiden NBA title by dethroning the Lakers twice consecutively in 1957 and 1958 despite being massively outgunned both times (with only five total Hall of Famers on both squads between them).

The Hawks’ peak years began thereafter during the 1960s, culminating with a conference finals appearance led by head coach Norman Sloan and superstar small forward Pettit during which they narrowly lost Game 7 on April 16, 1970, to eventual champion New York Knicks – considered one of greatest upsets in NBA history due to an win expectancy of only 10 percent at Madison Square Garden towards New York going into fourth quarter (according to now-retired ESPN analyst Jeff Van Gundy). Following Pettit’s retirement after 13 seasons, however, they only made three more playoff appearances throughout next decade (missing playoffs eight times during that span), while going through eight head coaches; team was finally sold once again following 1981–82 season_ confounding pundits who predicted new ownership would quickly move franchise given Georgia’s lack of commitment towards building new arena at time – which finally arrived nine years later as Omni Coliseum while team spent interim playing several home games_ including some playoffs contests_ nearly 300 miles away in Birmingham_ Alabama at BJCC Arena until 1988

Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The team is owned by former NBA player Michael Jordan, who acquired a controlling interest in the team in 2010. The Hornets play their home games at the Spectrum Center in Uptown Charlotte.

The franchise began play in 1988 as an expansion team, then known as the Charlotte Spirit, one of three expansion teams that joined the NBA that year. The Spirit was owned by George Shinn, who also owned the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Denver Nuggets at the time. The Hornets finished their inaugural season with a record of 20–62. In the 1989–90 NBA season, Shinn’s franchise became known as the Charlotte Hornets.

The Hornets made history in 1991–92 by becoming only the third team in NBA history to improve their win total by 13 games from one season to win 50 games; they finished 51–31 (.622). With those 51 wins came a playoff berth for only the second time since entering into existence as an expansion franchise but it was short lived when they were beaten 3-1 by eventual champion Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan in Round 1. However, Shinn’s ownership group eventually run into financial trouble and were then bought out by NBA legend Larry Johnson and local businessman George Soros who took over control of day-to-day operations though Shinn remained as majority owner.

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are a professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded on January 16, 1966, and played its first game during the 1967–68 NBA season. The Bulls play their home games at the United Center, an arena on Chicago’s Near West Side shared with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks.

The Bulls saw their greatest success during the 1990s when they were responsible for popularizing the NBA worldwide. They are known for having one of the NBA’s greatest dynasties, winning six NBA championships between 1991 and 1998 with two three-peats. All six championship teams were led by Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and coach Phil Jackson. The Bulls are one of only four NBA teams with an active dynasty. Their rivalry with the Detroit Pistons was instrumental in their early success.

Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers, commonly referred to as the Cavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Central Division. The team began play in 1970 as an expansion team and won their first Eastern Conference championship in 2007. They have reached the NBA Finals eight times in franchise history, but have not won a league title.

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons are a team in the National Basketball Association (NBA) that has not won a championship. The Pistons have appeared in two NBA Finals, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1988 and the San Antonio Spurs in 2005. The Pistons have also won six conference championships, most recently in 2005.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Pacers began play in 1967 as a member of the American Basketball Association (ABA) where they won three championships in four years. The team joined the NBA in 1976 after the ABA–NBA merger. They have won five Central Division titles, three Eastern Conference championships, and one NBA championship.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are a professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The Grizzlies play their home games at FedExForum.

The team was established as the Vancouver Grizzlies, an expansion team that joined the NBA for the 1995–96 season. After the 2000–01 season concluded, the Grizzlies moved to Memphis. The Vancouver Grizzlies were the first Major League professional sports franchise based in Vancouver, and were the first NBA team to be based in Canada since the Toronto Huskies of 1946. Following the 2000–01 season, Craig Button was hired as General Manager; he resigned on April 30, 2002.

In their 16 seasons in Vancouver, the Grizzlies compiled a win–loss record of 202 wins and 430 losses.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks are a professional basketball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Bucks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Central Division. The team was founded in 1968 as an expansion team, and play at the Fiserv Forum. Former U.S. Senator Herb Kohl was the long-time owner of the team, but on April 16, 2014, a group led by billionaire hedge fund managers Wesley Edens and Marc Lasry agreed to purchase a majority interest in the franchise from Kohl, a sale which was approved by the NBA Board of Governors on May 16. The new owners announced that they would move the franchise to a new arena in Walker’s Point neighborhood just south of downtown Milwaukee, which they acquired from Kohl through a purchase option included as part of his sale agreement. They also changed the team’s name from “Milwaukee Bucks” to “Wisconsin Bucks”. However, after legal challenges from Milwaukee area businesses and fans over the use of public money to finance construction of their privately owned arena failed to prevent construction from beginning on September 30, 2018, it was announced that the franchise would keep its name after all.

The Bucks have won one league title (1971), two conference titles (1971 and 1974), and 13 division titles (1971–74, 1976–80, 1981–86, 1987–89, 1990–91, 2001–02, 2008–09). They have featured such notable players as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Bob Lanier., Junior Bridgeman,, Glenn Robinson,, Ray Allen,, Sam Cassell,, Michael Redd,, and Giannis Antetokounmpo,. Abdul-Jabbar and Robertson are members of the Basketball Hall of Fame., while Lanier and Robinson are members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame; Redd is also a two-time member of the USA Olympic Men’s Basketball Team (2000 & 2008).

Minnesota Timberwolves

It’s been a rough road for the Minnesota Timberwolves. The team has never won an NBA Championship, and they’ve only made it to the Conference Finals once in their history. They’ve had some great players, like Kevin Garnett and Karl-Anthony Towns, but they’ve never been able to put it all together and win that elusive title.

New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans are a professional basketball team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays their home games at the Smoothie King Center.

The Pelicans were established as the New Orleans Hornets in the NBA’s expansion Expansion (New Orleans was previously home to the original Charlotte Hornets from 1988 to 2002). The team first played their home games in Oklahoma City for two seasons following Hurricane Katrina while its arena in New Orleans was being repaired; they returned to New Orleans full-time for the 2007–08 season.

In 2013, the franchise announced it would rename itself the Pelicans, effective after the 2012–13 season. The Charlotte Hornets’ name, history and records from 1988 to 2002 were returned to its original city to be used by the then–Charlotte Bobcats franchise, which subsequently became the Charlotte Hornets once again in May 2014.

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks last won an NBA Championship in 1973. They have been to the Finals ten times, but haven’t won it all since 1973. The Knicks have made the playoffs 44 times in their 73-year history and have won 11 conference championships.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder are an American professional basketball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The Thunder compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division. The team plays its home games at Chesapeake Energy Arena.

Orlando Magic

Since the Orlando Magic joined the NBA in 1989, they have made the playoffs 15 times but have never made it to the Finals. They did, however, make it to the Eastern Conference Finals in 1995 and 2009. The Magic’s most successful period was from 2008 to 2012 when they had back-to-back 60+ win seasons and made the playoffs all four years. The Magic have never won an NBA title.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers (usually referred to as the Sixers) are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Sixers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Eastern Conference Atlantic Division and play their home games at the Wells Fargo Center. Founded in 1946 and originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA, and one of only eight (out of 23) to survive the league’s first decade.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and are the only team in their division not to have won an NBA championship.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. The Trail Blazers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division. The franchise was founded in 1970, and played its home games in Memorial Coliseum before moving to Moda Center in 1995 (called the Rose Garden until 2013). The team has advanced to the NBA Finals three times, winning the NBA championship once in 1977. Their other NBA Finals appearances were in 1990 and 1992.

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference’s Pacific Division. The Kings are the only team in the major professional North American sports leagues located in Sacramento.

The team played its home games at ARCO Arena from 1985 to 2016. Starting with the 2016–17 season, the Kings moved to the newly built Golden 1 Center. The franchise began with the Rochester Royals, a National Basketball League (NBL) team that was formed in 1923 and originally based in Rochester, New York.

The Royals defected to the NBL’s rival, the Basketball Association of America (BAA), in 1948. In 1949, as a result of that year’s absorption of the NBL by the BAA, the Royals became members of the NBA along with 17 other NBL teams. They cordially invited into their fold such remaining NBL teams as Fort Wayne (now Detroit), Anderson (disbanded), Tri-Cities (now Los Angeles Clippers), Sheboygan (disbanded) and Waterloo (disbanded). As it turns out, however, Syracuse elected to join them anyway later that year. No matter, Royals owner Les Harrison had made up his mind; he sold his franchise to a group headed by former Providence head coach and future Syracuse Nationals general manager Danny Biasone on May 1, 1951, who then brought forth what is mostly considered to beminor league teammate Dolph Schayes for $35,000 as a player-coach figurehead for Harrison’s old squad.

The Nationals were established when Harrison decided that Rochester was too small to support an NBA franchise; he relocated his franchise to Philadelphia after only one year in Rochester. He named his new franchise after an old Washington Senators baseball team that went by such names as “The Nationals”, “Senators” or simply Washington until 1955, when they became known as just plain “Senators”, until 1971 when they finally took on their current name of “Texas Rangers”. Biasone and Schayes brought with them a core group of players from Syracuse who had been with him during his successful run there: Al Cervi at guard; Dolph Schayes and Billy Kenville at forward; and Leo Baldi at center.

San Antonio Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs are an American professional basketball team based in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Southwest Division. The team plays its home games at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.

The Spurs have won 22 NBA championships, making them the fourth most successful team in NBA history and the most successful team in NBA history that has never won a championship.

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz are an American professional basketball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league’s Western Conference Northwest Division. Since 1991, the team has played its home games at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The franchise began play as an expansion team in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz, based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Jazz were one of the least successful teams in the league in their early years. In 1985, they relocated to Salt Lake City.

The team has yet to win an NBA championship despite qualifying for the playoffs twenty-seven times since their inception, including two Western Conference Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998. They hold the longest active playoff streak in the NBA at twenty-six consecutive seasons, having made it to the playoffs every year since 1994, although they have not won a playoff series since 2010.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these are the NBA teams that have yet to win a championship. With expansion and movement of teams, it’s possible that this list changes in the future. For now, these are the teams that have come up short in the NBA Finals.
-Atlanta Hawks
-Charlotte Hornets
-Denver Nuggets
-Indiana Pacers
-Los Angeles Clippers
-Memphis Grizzlies
-Minnesota Timberwolves
-New Orleans Pelicans
-Phoenix Suns
-Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings