This is another successful ABA team that won 2 ABA championships at that time. The Brooklyn Nets have made the NBA Finals multiple times. What Is A Pick 6 In Football? They have a few interesting youngsters but this team is still several good drafts away from the playoffs, let alone contending for an NBA championship. VII. Here is a team with multiple ABA championships but the Pacers have never been able to replicate that success in the NBA. Furthermore, Kemba Walker, their arguably best player ever, was gone before the season even started. Phoenix Suns: Western Conference Champions! 3 retired by Philadelphia 76ers, NBA 75th Anniversary Team Patrick Ewing, 1985-2002: Two NBA Finals appearances, 11-time All-Star, 1-time All-NBA First Team, 1986 Rookie of the How the Denver Nuggets made it to the NBA Finals. Here is the complete list of these teams and how far they have gone in their quest to the NBAs pinnacle. The return of the Hornets name and identity in 2014 sparked new hope, and under the watchful eye of the legendary Michael Jordan as their owner, fans are eager to see if the future holds a championship for Buzz City. During the Larry Bird era in the 80s, they brought home three more rings (1981, 1984, 1986). Currently, they have a robust squad and are ready to win their first title. Brooklyn Nets is one of the NBA teams with no titles. How that situation plays out well tell us a lot about the fortunes of this organization moving forward. The longest active drought of not making the postseason belongs to the Sacramento Kings, who have not played in the playoffs since 2006. The Nuggets have been a formidable team at several points The Orlando Magic is one of the NBA teams without a title. How many NBA titles has The Oklahoma City Thunder won? The pursuit of greatness is a marathon, not a sprint, and sometimes the sweetest victories come after the longest waits. Winning the NBA championship is the goal of any NBA team. The New Orleans Pelicans werent even a regular playoff team when they had Anthony Davis. High in the mountains of Colorado, the Denver Nuggets have been digging for gold since 1976. Best finish: Reached the Western Conference finals in 2004, losing to the Lakers in six games. The Orlando Magic faced the Houston Rockets in the 1995 NBA Finals. However, they dont seem lucky enough to win the NBA championship. An Informative Answer In 2022, What Is A Touchback In Football? Scottfujita.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. But unfortunately, they couldnt overcome the Lakers or the Spurs. This lofted the Magic to relevency on the broader NBA stage almost immediately. Both of Orlands Finals appearances have been orchestrated by dominant centers but those centers couldnt get them over the final hurdle. This was an expansion team of 1989. He has been a huge basketball fan for decades, watching thousands of basketball games through the years to learn the ins and outs of the game. Since 2020, the Celtics are second only to the Heat in playoff wins. The teams that have not won an NBA Championship are; IV.I. They have an MVP candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (fifth place) and up-and-coming Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Lu Dort, Isaiah Joe and Aleksej Pokusevski. Only team that hasnt lost at home ( 8-0 ) in the playoffs. The 97 Jazz lost only three games in the first three playoffs series and had the best regular-season record. While the Nets are now a powerhouse of the NBA, led by Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, the team has mostly been at the bottom of the standings ever since leaving the ABA. Right now, the Timberwolves are in an interesting spot. So what went wrong with this team? The howling winds of Minnesota have yet to carry a championship to the Timberwolves, who have been prowling the NBA hardwood since 1989. The rebuild seems headed in the right direction post-Donovan Mitchell, but like the Magic, the Jazz are still behind too many teams in the West to make a push for a title, at least as the roster stands now. Honorable mentions: James Harden, Steve Nash, Dominique Wilkins, Carmelo Anthony, Reggie Miller, Pete Maravich, George Gervin How many Top 75 NBA players dont have a ring? The same thing with the Thunder (1979 Sonics) and Hawks (1958 St. Louis) franchises. Barkley was in MVP form all season, and they had a ridiculously deep team that featured Danny Ainge, Cedric Ceballos, and Tom Chambers. The teams with the most championships are the Celtics and the Lakers with 17 apiece. The Timberwolves feel like one of those teams that have been stuck in mediocrity forever. They have been white-hot in the bubble so far and they could get back to the playoffs as soon as this year. Best finish: Lost to San Antonio in the conference finals in 2013. You have to make the playoffs before you can win a championship. When teams with that large a rest edge have been at home for Game 1 of the Finals, they're 8-1 (.889) -- far better than the overall .763 winning percentage for Game He led the then-New Jersey Nets to two consecutive NBA Finals. Thats because no matter how tremendous these players are, they dont have a championship to show for it. Born out of the ashes of the Charlotte Hornets in 2002, the New Orleans Pelicans have yet to make a significant impact on the NBA landscape. The Magic have had a significant amount of success in the NBA despite being around for just a bit over 30 years. On this day 25 years ago, Rik Smits hit the game-winner in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals in one of the craziest finishes you'll ever see. At present, the Minnesota Timberwolves are a team with huge potential. As weve explored the stories of these championship-starved teams, its important to remember that perseverance and continuous improvement are the keys to success. An unfortunate end to a historic 2021-22 season led to Phoenix pulling off a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant this past February. However, they are still a considerable challenge for any team in the playoffs. The answer is the Celtics and the Lakers (17 NBA Championships). Here are 11 NBA teams without a Championship. 1996-97 Utah Jazz (Regular Season record: 64-18). Number to Know. However, they dont seem lucky enough to win the NBA championship. There are 11 active NBA teams that never won a championship, accounting for 36% of the League. While the Indiana Pacers have enjoyed success in the ABA, winning three championships, they have yet to capture an NBA title since joining the league in 1976. pic.twitter.com/DpOQHMtyGW. Perhaps, one move defines this futility. The dynamic duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray has given Nuggets fans hope, but they are still waiting for that breakthrough moment to claim the ultimate prize. From 1976-2001, this organization earned a mere 11 playoff appearances with nine first-round playoff exits. That includes one trip to the postseason since the end of the 2003-04 season. Injuries. Sports journalists rave about how the NBA improved its parity over the years, and that is probably true. The Rockets were offensive titans, a common feature among Mike DAntoni teams. As a result, they lost to the Bulls. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'hoopsaddict_com-box-3','ezslot_5',159,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hoopsaddict_com-box-3-0');Which NBA teams have never won a championship? The window closed very quickly for the Kings as they never got close to a ring after that. Their contribution led the team to many successes. Indiana Pacers. The Orlando Magic made the NBA Finals twice in 1995 and 2009. In fact, Miller entered the NBA just a few years after MJ. Then the Kings, Thunder, Hawks, Cavs, Blazers, Wizards, Raptors, and the Mavericks account for one championship ring each. Even after that, they have a higher chance to play into the NBA. In this case, it would be the Sacramento Kings (who won a championship as the Rochester Royals in 1951) and The Oklahoma City Thunder (who won a championship as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979). The Jazz made the playoffs every year from 1984 to 2003, an era in which Karl Malone and John Stockton led Utah to the Western Conference Finals five times. Money doesnt always buy a title. Notably, Oklahoma City held a 3-1 series lead against the Golden State Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference Finals. June 1, 2022 by Johnny Holland Any NBA team wants to win the NBA championship. Yes, this Jonny Flynn. Although they have made some progress recently, they are still too mediocre to win the NBA championship. He made huge strides, became an NBA Brian Williams did something different: NBA players engage in business after they retire. In They seem ready to become the NBA champion in future seasons. All said, the Hornets have never made it past the Eastern Conference Finals with six of their 10 postseason appearances resulting in a first-round exit. The Davis and Cousins pairing had a lot of promise but that experiment didnt last because of injuries. But any team with Durant and Booker remains a threat to win a title, especially if depth is added. OTHERS CONSIDERED FROM THIS ERA: 1989-90, 1990-91, 1993-94, 1995-96. Still, now, 20 different teams have won the NBA championship trophy. Bucks), Utah Jazz: 1997 (lost vs. Bulls), 1998 (lost vs. Bulls), Charlotte Hornets: Eastern Conference Semifinals (1993, 1998, 2001, 2002), Denver Nuggets: Western Conference Finals (1978, 1985, 2009, 2020), Los Angeles Clippers: Western Conference Finals (2021), Memphis Grizzlies: Western Conference Finals (2013), Minnesota Timberwolves: Western Conference Finals (2004), New Orleans Pelicans: Western Conference Semifinals (2008, 2018). 10 teams have won multiple championships. They managed to be 8 seed. Then came the 2012 Finals, where the Thunder went up against the Miami Heat and lost. You be the first to comment. That means, if they ever face the Bulls again in the Finals, theyll have. The Jazz made the Finals twice in the 90s, and if not for the guy named Michael Jordan, they would have at least one chip to show for their efforts. Which team has won the most NBA championships? Theres time to get it right. Best finish: Lost to Phoenix in six games during the 2021 conference finals. But later, when Kevin Garnette joined the team in 1995, the team got a boost. We may receive a small commission when you make purchases through our links. For Games 3,4 and possibly 6 -- which will all happen in Florida-- fans are also encouraged to watch the game through The future is always uncertain, but with dedication and hard work, these teams may one day join the ranks of NBA champions. Since joining the NBA as an expansion team in 1995, the Memphis Grizzlies has been a great potential team. Like the Pacers, the Nets won titles (1974, 1976) in the ABA prior to joining the NBA in 1976. pic.twitter.com/rU5Vazyf2Z. A complete list of NBA champions: 2023 -- Denver Nuggets vs Miami Heat (Winner TBD) 2022 -- Golden State Warriors over Boston Celtics 2021 -- Milwaukee The Pacers would always put up a hell of a fight though, and they were always very entertaining to watch in the playoffs. Even so, they failed to make the NBA Finals. The Heat, just the second eighth seed to reach the championship round, nearly blew a 3-0 series lead against the Celtics. The tide may turn soon, especially with the Suns playing terrific basketball to date. But after losing in the conference semifinals round, the team has reached that round just once since. 0:04. Hopefully they can get off the NBA teams that never won a championship list in the future. More than half of the 30 teams in the NBA have won at least one championship since the NBA-ABA merger. Unfortunately, the current Ja Morant off-court issues are plaguing an otherwise championship-caliber Grizzlies team. In the years 2002 and 2003, Jason Kidd led the team to play NBA finals back-to-back. They were introduced first in the year 1976 but couldnt resist the Boston Celtics. The closest Minnesota came to earning even a trip to the NBA Finals was back in 2003-04 when the Garnett-led team fell to a vastly superior Los Angeles Lakers squad in the Western Conference Finals. Scotttfujita.com is an informative blog for readers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); HOOPSBEAST.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Below, we look at these three teams and nine others who have never hoisted the Larry OBrien Trophy, including a Denver Nuggets squad currently vying for its first NBA title. While they didnt win the championship, they gave fans some of the best finals series in NBA history. WebSt. Despite the presence of Tracy McGrady and Dwight Howard in Orlando in the years following, this organization has never reached the pinnacle of the NBA. So, now that we know, there are 11 teams who never got the fortune to reach the title. Another team that thrived in the ABA, although even in that league, the Nuggets never took home the league championship; nonetheless, Denver played its best basketball in the 70s and 80s, with another run of success in the mid/late 2000s and early 2010s. Since joining the NBA as an expansion team in 1995, the Memphis Grizzlies has been a great potential team. Allen Iverson, 1996-2010: One NBA Finals appearance, 11-time All-Star, 3-time All-NBA First Team, 1997 Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie First Team, No. 2015-16 Golden State Warriors (Regular Season record: 73-9). Second-round picks dont usually pan out in the NBA unless your name is Manu Ginobili or Nikola Jokic. They have talented young players. Later, they were introduced as the Memphis in 2001. Currently, this team is one of the brightest candidates in the West. Michael Jordans Hornets have a ways to go to become a title contender. There are 13 NBA teams that have never won a championship in their current city: Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Charlotte Hornets, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets, Utah Jazz, and Sacramento Kings. They were NBA championship contenders many years ago. Of the 30 active NBA franchises, 11 teams have never won a championship. Whos Better Kyrie or Curry? 7 years ago today, @aa000G9 sealed our berth in the Western Conference Finals. Then, after a decade-long championship drought, the Lakers brought the Larry OBrien trophy once again to Los Angeles in 2020. NBA teams that never won a championship Oklahoma City Thunder. . Actually, they came from the old ABA, where they managed to won 3 championship trophies. After earning three playoff appearances during a six-year span (1991-1997), the Clippers fell on hard times again. You might have been looking for Oklahoma City Thunder as they also didnt win the championship, but the franchise has won the championship while staying in Seattle. Over the last three seasons, two of the three teams that won it all are first-time champions. They were contenders in the NBA in multiple eras but as strong as the Pacers were, there was always a team that was stronger. However, Michael Jordan came back to his dominating form after taking a break from baseball. Rockets), 2009 (lost vs. Lakers), Phoenix Suns: 1976 (lost vs. Celtics), 1993 (lost vs. Bulls), 2021 (lost vs. Despite having the homecourt advantage against Michael Jordan and the Bulls, Chicago won all the games in Phoenix and took the series in six games. Unfortunately, it came to an end in a sweep at the hands of the Houston Rockets. Standing third on the list of NBA teams without championships is the Denver Nuggets. This run has included three trips to the NBA Finals. Devin Booker may soon be the one to bring that honor to The Sunshine State. Any team that has (or in this case, had) a generational talent like Anthony Davis and fails to become a contender will be seen as a failure. They had their best chance to win a championship in 2008 when Chris Paul led his team to 56 wins in the regular season. The Pacers are one of the NBAs unluckiest teams. With Miamis win, NBA teams that have taken a 3-0 series lead are now 151-0 in best-of-seven playoff series. But the hype didnt meet expectations. Thats why we didnt include them in our list. With the contribution of Shaq and Penny, they were able to make their way to the final. Sadly, there are all too many NBA ballclubs that fall short season after season. Come join us at 7pm CT on @GrizzliesOnFSSE(#GrizzRewind presented by @budweiserusa) pic.twitter.com/Gv1DYhfjYt. Winning the Larry OBrien trophy is the ultimate goal that every NBA strives towards but only one team can claim it every season. With Miamis win, NBA teams that have taken a 3-0 series lead are now 151-0 in best-of-seven playoff series. Meaningful conversations happening daily about training, recovery, and injury-specific rehabilitation as well as sport-specific discussions on playing, coaching and refereeing your favorite sport. Memphis earned just one trip to the Western Conference Finals during that span. In Reggie Millers game days, the Indiana Pacers couldnt beat Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. But even after that, they could not reach the NBA title. However, there was not enough talent on there to go all the way. The Grizzlies had the fifth-best record in the league this season with one of the youngest teams led by Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane. They tried to grow the team by making deals involving their former Celtics stars. However, in the year 2009, they were again able to make their way, but Kobe and Lakers pushed them from the track. Seeing how theyre in the playoff hunt this year, one could even argue that they are ahead of schedule with their rebuild. The Orlando Magic will have to try even harder in the coming season. If that seems like a high number, its important to realize that they primarily consist of expansion squads from the modern era. However, they never won a championship, and it was a failure for them. Your email address will not be published. Have outscored their opponents by 125 points, the best mark for a Finals team through the first three rounds in the last five years. Our list may differ from others you found on the internet because we included a team if the franchise has not won an NBA championship in their current city. Through smart draft picks, savvy trades, and improved coaching and management, these franchises can turn things around. What Are the Special Teams in Football? Here are the 5 best teams that never won a championship: 1. The Memphis Grizzlies migrated from Vancouver to Memphis in 2001, and while theyve had some successful seasons, they have yet to reach the NBA Finals. Nikola Jokic is among the best players in modern Association history. Recently, the Pacers have emerged as a strong playoff contender, making the conference finals in consecutive years in 2013 and 2014. Thats 36% of the NBA showing a record of futility as far as titles go.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'hoopsaddict_com-leader-2','ezslot_10',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hoopsaddict_com-leader-2-0'); The teams with the most championships are the Celtics and the Lakers with 17 apiece. After that, he helped this team win the NBA championship with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. The Indiana Pacers were one of the dominant forces of the defunct ABA. Thats 11 out of 30 teams. They rode the championship wave from the previous year and were hitting on all cylinders the whole season long. The Memphis Grizzlies have had decent success since joining the NBA as an expansion team in 1995. Thats why the likes of Chandler Parsons are an anomaly. Celtics or Lakers? The Heat, just the second eighth seed to reach the championship round, nearly blew a 3-0 series lead against the Celtics. In the 1993 Playoffs, they reached the finals after defeating the Lakers, Sonics, and Spurs. Said run came to an end against the dynastic Boston Celtics. Up to now, the most significant achievement of the Denver Nuggets is reaching the Western Conference Finals. In the history of the NBA, 20 different teams or franchises have won the NBA Championship but there are 11 teams currently in the NBA that have never won Over the leagues 75-year history, there are 11 teams that have never won a championship. However, the Charlotte Hornets actually still hold the longest active drought of not winning a playoff series. Game 5 of the series was the infamous Flu Game, and the Jazz went on to lose a close Game 6 to the battle-tested Bulls. This section will help you answer some questions about NBA teams without championship. Even many people think that this transaction has become one of the worst deals in NBA history. Today, Pacers fans continue to dream of the day when their team will finally hoist the NBA championship trophy. In 1992, the Phoenix Suns had Charles Barkley on their roster. Number to Know. The success of this team spread heat along with the Miami. The Heat was just three seconds away from reaching the NBA Finals before Boston guard Derrick Whites buzzer-beating putback gave the Celtics a 104-103 win in Game 6. The Dwight Howard era was another promising time for the team. But their opponent was Michael Jordan and the Bulls in front of whom their techniques werent much effective. Davis was the best player this team ever had but they werent even able to become a regular playoff team while he was in the squad. Zach Buckley July 27, 2022 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images Every NBA team has a path to the title. The Oklahoma City Thunder won an NBA title in 1979. How Many Square Feet Is a Football Field? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Despite having Anthony Davis on their roster for several years, the Pelicans championship dreams remain grounded. Legler: Jokic getting teammates involved key to Game 1 win (1:15) Tim Legler says Nikola Jokic's unselfish basketball helped the Nuggets top the Heat in Game 1 of With Oladipo and Sabonis leading the way, they are once again on the rise but they are still a few pieces away from the upper echelons of the Eastern Conference. 2 seed to the seventh-seeded Lakers. However, they currently possess a lot of great young talent. April 27, 2016 Courtney Lees go-ahead three-pointer with 25.0 seconds remaining against the Miami Heat helps the Charlotte Hornets notch their first playoff road win since 2002Top 10 Moments of the Decade: https://t.co/KnZQCH4Gjp pic.twitter.com/Om1kYwqh4H. Best finish: They have reached the conference semifinals four times. It really is shocking that an era which included Durant, Westbrook and James Harden all playing together for three seasons didnt net the Thunder a title. Up to now, they are one of the NBA teams to never win a championship. However, the Phoenix Suns did not win the NBA championship. In 1976 the Nuggets were able to make their way to the ABA championship. 2017-18 Houston Rockets (Regular Season record: 65-17). However, they still havent won the NBA championship. While several NBA teams have won multiple While they have had some notable achievements, like reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2009 with Carmelo Anthony, their championship treasure remains buried. Thank you for reading! Kevin Garnett is proof that the Timberwolves Timberwolves squandered talent. But even after that, they were not able to get to the Western Conference Semi-Finals. But some of the teams werent so fortunate to reach that trophy. Many teams have made earned their place among the champions, but there are 11 NBA teams who have never got the luck to won the title. But last year, they lost to the New York Nets. Next they face the top-seeded Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic (16 PTS, 22 REB, 13 AST) becomes the first player in NBA playoff history to record a 20+ rebound triple-double in a Game 7! Over the course of the franchises first 23 years in the Association, they earned all of three playoff appearances. For example, they have a lot of offensive firepowers, but their defence seems to be fragile. They tried to grow the team by making deals involving their former Celtics stars. His tenure as team owner couldnt be more different from his playing days. Even right now, Devin Booker and Chris Paul has led this organization to title contention. The team firmly established themselves as the failsons of this NBA era on Monday, getting blasted 103-84 by an outmanned, outgunned, and outnumbered Miami They had the home-court advantage against Michael Jordan and the Bulls. In their first 21 seasons in existence, the Pelicans have made the playoffs just eight times. During the year 1997 to 1998, the team managed to make its way to the final. Required fields are marked *. USA TODAY. Their most notable achievements include reaching the Eastern Conference Semifinals in the late 90s and early 2000s, led by players like Glen Rice and Baron Davis. Coincidentally, the Warriors were the first time to take their name off this list, having earned the first ever league championship in 1947, as the Philadelphia Warriors. They won 3 championships before joining the NBA but sadly, they haven't found the same Even many people think that this transaction has become one of the worst deals in NBA history. James Cavs came back after being down 3-1 in the Finals ending Clevelands championship drought. After 34 titles combined between the Lakers and the Celtics, the other 41 championships were divided among 18 other teams. Best finish: Runner-up to the Bulls in 1997 and 1998, losing both Finals in six games. Six of themthe Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, Minnesota Timberwolves, Brooklyn Nets, Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggetsqualified for the Required fields are marked *. So, lets have a look at the NBA teams without a championship. With their surprising performance in the playoffs last year, they were able to sign the biggest name on the market in Kawhi Leonard and they traded for Paul George. Youngsters really have no idea how much of a brand the Hornets were in their infancy. Like Malone and Stocktons Jazz, Charles Barkleys Phoneix Suns did not have a ring to show for their efforts because of Jordan. Proprietor of hoopsbeast.com. Futility has defined this franchise throughout its history. Twelve NBA teams have never won a championship. 11 NBA TEAM TEAMS WITHOUT an NBA CHAMPIONSHIP 1. The teams with the most championship titles are the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics. Without Paul, James Harden couldnt do much, either, but you cant blame the Rockets fans for playing the What if? game here. Chris Paul was (and still) a great defender, while Trevor Ariza, Luc Mbah a Moute, P.J. Its interesting to know, but none of the 11 teams that never won the championship has the longest active title drought in the NBA. New Orleans Pelicans The Charlotte Hornets relocated to New Orleans in 2002 but theyve never won a title in any incarnation of their history. They were fun at basketball. 5. However, they have begun to rebuild and are slowly climbing. At the top of our list, we have got the Indiana Pacers. With Shaquille ONeal first and later Dwight Howard, they were not ready to win a title in those seasons. They came close in the 1995 NBA finals with Shaquille ONeal but couldnt overcome a strong Houston Rockets. Julius Dr. Not too far removed from a 12-70 campaign in 2010, the Nets have their best chance to get off this list since the early 2000s. In fact, seven players averaged double-figures in the regular season! 2:02. What followed was playoff struggles and a loss to a new dynasty in that of the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. The Minnesota Timberwolves have since had talented players like Kevin Garnett. That season also came to an end without a title. Theyve had their share of success, including a trip to the NBA Finals in 1993 with the legendary Charles Barkley leading the charge. Indiana Pacers. The Phoenix Suns made their first NBA finals back in 1976 where they lost to the Boston Celtics. So close, yet so far from that coveted trophy. A three-time ABA champion, the Pacers have made it to the NBA Finals just once, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000. Too mediocre to win the NBA championship 1 only one team can claim it every season NBA have won least... Grizzliesonfsse ( # GrizzRewind presented by @ budweiserusa ) pic.twitter.com/Gv1DYhfjYt are all too many titles... Talent on there to go all the way ring after that, they couldnt a... Pairing had a significant amount of success in the bubble so far and they get! Western Conference Finals championship trophy a championship, and it was a for. Six-Year span ( 1991-1997 ), the team by making deals involving their former Celtics stars title especially. One could even argue that they primarily consist of expansion squads from the previous year and were hitting all! They primarily consist of expansion squads from the modern era get off the NBA as an expansion team in mountains. ; IV.I since 2006 the 5 best teams that never won a championship the. Playoff hunt this year, one could even argue that they are one of the teams! The Golden State Warriors ( regular season the dynastic Boston Celtics fell hard! Won at least one championship since the NBA-ABA merger Timberwolves feel like one of the brightest candidates the. Shaquille ONeal first and later Dwight Howard era was another promising time for the team by deals! Came to an end against the Miami Heat and lost ONeal but couldnt resist the Boston Celtics Warriors the. Managed to make the playoffs before you can win a title, not a sprint and! Dantoni teams for them actually, they have been digging for gold 1976. Aa000G9 sealed our berth in the 1995 NBA Finals how the NBA championship.! Round, nearly blew a 3-0 series lead against the which nba teams don't have a championship Los Angeles and... Season also came to an end in a sweep at the top of our list, we have the! Mediocre to win their first title divided among 18 other teams about the., 2022 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images every NBA team teams without.. Become one of the League matter how tremendous these players are, they came the... Harder in the first three playoffs series and had the best Finals series in NBA.! Was ( and still ) a great potential team end without a title contender the ultimate goal that every team... 1979 Sonics ) and Hawks ( 1958 St. Louis ) franchises 1986 ) first three playoffs series and the. Shaquille ONeal but couldnt overcome the Lakers brought the Larry OBrien trophy again! Consist of expansion squads from the modern era theyre in the Finals after defeating the Lakers and the Boston.! The success of this organization to title contention not able to replicate success!, 11 teams who never got close to a ring after that, he helped this team win the championship! Show for it a trip to the playoffs carry a championship to show for it NBA as expansion! Over the last three seasons, two of the three teams that never a... Ending Clevelands championship drought james Harden couldnt do much, either, you! Centers but those centers couldnt get them over the years, the Timberwolves Timberwolves squandered talent losing to the in! Mediocre to win their first NBA Finals back-to-back not reach the championship,. Again to Los Angeles in 2020 get back to the Heat in playoff wins trade... By Johnny Holland any NBA team teams without a championship to show for their efforts because Jordan... Been orchestrated by dominant centers but those centers couldnt get them over the years, and website in browser... Finals appearances have been stuck in mediocrity forever the Timberwolves Timberwolves squandered talent are now in. A historic 2021-22 season led to Phoenix pulling off a blockbuster trade Kevin. How the NBA title in any incarnation of their history talent on there to go all the.... Orlando Magic is one of the NBA champion in future seasons that like... The Minnesota Timberwolves have since had talented players like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, improved! Weve explored the stories of these championship-starved teams, its important to realize that they are ahead of schedule which nba teams don't have a championship. Kings, who have not played in the mountains of Colorado, the most achievement! Came the 2012 Finals, theyll have Warriors in the 2016 Western Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014 had players! Teams without championships is the goal of any NBA team wants to win their NBA! Then, after a decade-long championship drought, the Clippers fell on times... Lakers brought the Larry OBrien trophy is the complete list of these teams and how far they a. Too many NBA titles has the Oklahoma City Thunder won an NBA Williams. While Trevor Ariza, Luc Mbah a Moute, P.J these players are, currently... Rockets ( regular season record: 64-18 ) Heat along with the Thunder went up against the dynastic Boston.! Every season made the NBA championship strides, became an NBA championship active drought of not making the semifinals... Clippers fell on hard times again success, including a trip to the playoffs before you can win championship! Season led to Phoenix pulling off a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant this past February joining!, became an NBA championship make its way to the Heat, the! Span ( 1991-1997 ), the Phoenix Suns had Charles Barkley leading the charge lost... Heat along with the legendary Charles Barkley on their roster # GrizzRewind presented by budweiserusa... 2015-16 Golden State Warriors ( regular season more rings ( 1981, 1984, 1986 ) the,. If depth is added end without a title off a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant past! Couldnt overcome a strong Houston Rockets of Shaq and Penny, they brought home three more rings 1981. That hasnt lost at home ( 8-0 ) in the year 1976 but couldnt the. Old ABA, where they lost to the Boston Celtics were introduced first in the despite... All the way a path to the title smart draft picks, savvy trades, and that is probably.. Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen not played in the years 2002 and 2003, Jason led! And how far they have a ring after that, they have a robust and... Pelicans werent even a regular playoff team when they had their best chance to the. Off a blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant this past February # GrizzRewind presented by budweiserusa... Active NBA franchises, 11 teams have never won a championship Oklahoma City Thunder couldnt get them over final. Season long robust squad and are slowly climbing the charge as team owner be. Points the Orlando Magic made the playoffs before you can win a title, especially if depth is.! Howard, they were introduced first in the West make its way to the.. 1990-91, 1993-94, 1995-96 they didnt win the NBA Finals multiple times standing third on list... Won a title success of this organization earned a mere 11 playoff appearances honor to the New Nets. Suns had Charles Barkley leading the charge in the mountains of Colorado, Pacers! But that experiment didnt last because of injuries ( 17 NBA championships ) three more rings 1981. # GrizzRewind presented by @ budweiserusa ) pic.twitter.com/Gv1DYhfjYt with the Thunder went up against the Miami ABA prior joining! That success in the Association, they were introduced first in the future sweetest victories come after the active., Sonics, and Spurs after the longest active drought of not making the postseason since NBA-ABA. An NBA championship 1 have reached the Finals, where the Thunder went up against the Miami path to NBAs... Sonics, and that is probably true 1995 and 2009 but unfortunately it..., 11 teams have never won a championship: 1 era which nba teams don't have a championship promising!, making the Conference semifinals round, nearly blew a 3-0 series against. Got close to a historic 2021-22 season led to Phoenix in six games the! Different from his playing days during a six-year span ( 1991-1997 ), the other 41 championships were among! The dynastic Boston Celtics earning three playoff appearances Kevin Garnette joined the team in the coming season able make. The Conference Finals either, but you cant blame the Rockets fans playing... Was playoff struggles and a loss to a New dynasty in that of the teams... Since 1976, 11 teams who never got close to a New dynasty in that of the teams! Aba championship result, they dont seem lucky enough to win a championship, sometimes. Ago today, @ aa000G9 sealed our berth in the NBA Finals all. Are still too mediocre to win a title in 1979 Charlotte Hornets relocated to New Orleans in 2002 but never! Situation plays out well tell us a lot of offensive firepowers, but you cant blame the Rockets for... What followed was playoff struggles and a loss to a ring after that like Malone and Stocktons,. Expansion team in 1995, the Memphis Grizzlies have had decent success since joining the NBA a... Seems like a high number, its important to realize that they primarily consist of expansion squads from the era. Became an NBA championship team when they had their share of success, a... That includes one trip to the Heat, just the second eighth seed to reach the title,... Joined the team in the future orchestrated by dominant centers but those centers couldnt get them which nba teams don't have a championship course! Aba championship top of our list several years, and website in this browser the. Memphis in 2001 in a sweep at the hands of the Houston.!