Last Undefeated NBA Team by Season

Every NBA season eventually reaches the point when only one unbeaten team remains. This page tracks that team for every season in NBA/BAA history and shows when its first loss occurred, its record entering that loss, its final regular-season record and how its season ended.

Some seasons contain more than one team because the final undefeated teams suffered their first losses on the same date. Those ties have been preserved rather than arbitrarily selecting one team.

Historical franchise names are shown as they were used during the season in question, including the Seattle SuperSonics, Buffalo Braves, Syracuse Nationals, Philadelphia Warriors, Rochester Royals, Milwaukee Hawks, Minneapolis Lakers and other former names.

Being the NBA's final undefeated team has often been a sign of a championship-caliber roster, but it guarantees nothing. Golden State's record 24-0 start in 2015-16 ended without a championship, while Houston's 15-0 start in 1993-94 ultimately led to the title.

Championship teams appearing on the list include the 2023-24 Celtics, 2014-15 Warriors, 2011-12 Heat, 2008-09 Lakers, 2007-08 Celtics, 2001-02 Lakers, 1996-97 and 1995-96 Bulls, 1994-95 and 1993-94 Rockets, 1988-89 Pistons, 1987-88 Lakers, 1978-79 SuperSonics and several championship teams from the NBA's earlier decades.

2015-16 Golden State Warriors: Golden State took the concept of the "last undefeated team" to an entirely different level. The Warriors opened 24-0 and did not lose until December 12. They eventually set an NBA regular-season record with 73 victories before losing to Cleveland in the Finals.

2024-25 Cleveland Cavaliers: Cleveland became the last undefeated team by starting 15-0, tying Houston and Washington for the second-longest undefeated opening represented on this page.

2025-26 Oklahoma City Thunder: Oklahoma City was the NBA's final unbeaten team for the second consecutive season. The Thunder reached 8-0 before suffering their first loss on November 5, 2025. They finished the regular season 64-18.

1993-94 Houston Rockets: Houston began 15-0 and went on to win the first championship in franchise history. It remains the longest undefeated opening by a team that ultimately won the NBA title.

1948-49 Washington Capitols: The Capitols' 15-0 start stood alone as the NBA/BAA record for decades. Washington eventually reached the BAA Finals before losing to the Minneapolis Lakers.

1970-71 Detroit Pistons: Detroit opened 9-0 yet finished only 45-37 and missed the playoffs, showing how dramatically the direction of a season can change after an outstanding start.

2020-21 Orlando Magic: Orlando started 4-0 and was the NBA's last unbeaten team, but finished just 21-51 and missed the playoffs.

1954-55 Philadelphia Warriors: In one of the strangest entries on the list, Philadelphia was the last remaining undefeated team despite being only 1-0 when it suffered its first loss.

A handful of seasons ended with multiple undefeated teams losing on the same date. Those ties are preserved in the complete table.

2011-12: Miami and Oklahoma City both suffered their first loss on January 2, 2012. The same two teams later met in the NBA Finals, with Miami winning the championship.

2009-10: Boston and Denver both suffered their first loss on November 6, 2009.

1980-81: The Lakers and Hawks both lost for the first time on October 21, 1980.

1950-51: Rochester and Philadelphia both suffered their first loss on November 12, 1950.

1949-50: Minneapolis, Anderson and Fort Wayne all recorded their first loss on November 12, 1949.

1947-48: New York and Philadelphia both lost for the first time on November 19, 1947.

"Last undefeated" refers to the team or teams that remained without a regular-season loss longer than every other team during that season.

The record shown is the team's undefeated record immediately before its first loss. The final record is the team's completed regular-season record.

When two or more teams suffered their first loss on the same date and were the final unbeaten teams remaining, all are included. This preserves the original NBAHoopsOnline historical data rather than forcing a single winner for that season.

The list includes the BAA seasons from 1946-47 through 1948-49 as part of NBA history. Historical franchise names are retained for accuracy.

NBA historical records occasionally need corrections as additional box scores, schedules and archival information become available. If you spot an incorrect date, record, team, season result or another piece of information that should be updated, please let me know.

When submitting a correction, please include the season, team and the information that needs to be changed. A link to a reliable source is appreciated when available.

Send corrections, additions and updates to:
Rednecksbasketball@yahoo.com

Submissions will be reviewed before changes are made to the NBAHoopsOnline historical records.