Best Regular-Season Records by an 8th Seed
Finishing eighth in a conference does not always mean a team had a poor
regular season. In particularly deep conferences, teams with records well
above .500 have entered the NBA Playoffs as the final seeded team.
| Rank |
Record |
Season |
Team |
| T-1 |
50-32 |
2009-10 |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
| T-1 |
50-32 |
2007-08 |
Denver Nuggets |
| 3 |
49-33 |
2013-14 |
Dallas Mavericks |
| T-4 |
48-34 |
2008-09 |
Utah Jazz |
| T-4 |
48-34 |
2018-19 |
Los Angeles Clippers |
| T-4 |
48-34 |
2024-25 |
Memphis Grizzlies |
| T-7 |
47-35 |
2023-24 |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| T-7 |
47-35 |
2017-18 |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
| T-7 |
47-36 |
2002-03 |
New Orleans Hornets |
| T-10 |
46-36 |
2023-24 |
Miami Heat |
| T-10 |
46-36 |
2010-11 |
Memphis Grizzlies |
| T-12 |
45-37 |
2012-13 |
Los Angeles Lakers |
| T-12 |
45-37 |
2014-15 |
New Orleans Pelicans |
| T-14 |
44-38 |
1996-97 |
Washington Wizards |
| T-14 |
44-38 |
1999-00 |
Sacramento Kings |
| T-14 |
44-38 |
2001-02 |
Utah Jazz |
| T-14 |
44-38 |
2002-03 |
Phoenix Suns |
| T-14 |
44-38 |
2005-06 |
Sacramento Kings |
| T-14 |
44-38 |
2015-16 |
Detroit Pistons |
| T-14 |
44-38 |
2022-23 |
Miami Heat |
Shortened-Season 8th Seeds
| Record |
Season |
Team |
Notes |
| 36-30 |
2011-12 |
Utah Jazz |
Had the highest winning percentage at .545 |
| 27-23 |
1998-99 |
New York Knicks |
Lockout-shortened season |
Best Record by an 8th Seed: 50-32
The 2007-08 Denver Nuggets and 2009-10 Oklahoma City Thunder share the
best full-season record listed on this page for a No. 8 playoff seed.
Highest Winning Percentage Listed: 2011-12 Utah Jazz
Utah went 36-30 during the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, a .545
winning percentage.
Worst Regular-Season Records by an 8th Seed
| Record |
Season |
Team |
| 35-47 |
1994-95 |
Boston Celtics |
| 35-47 |
1985-86 |
San Antonio Spurs |
| 31-51 |
1986-87 |
San Antonio Spurs |
| 30-52 |
1985-86 |
Chicago Bulls |
Worst Record Listed for an 8th Seed: 30-52
The 1985-86 Chicago Bulls earned a playoff berth despite finishing the
regular season 30-52.
Best Records to Miss the NBA Playoffs
Conference strength can also create the opposite situation: a team may
finish comfortably above .500 and still miss the postseason. These teams
posted some of the best records on this page among clubs that failed to
qualify for the playoffs.
| Rank |
Record |
Season |
Team |
| T-1 |
48-34 |
2007-08 |
Golden State Warriors |
| T-1 |
48-34 |
2013-14 |
Phoenix Suns |
| 3 |
47-35 |
2017-18 |
Denver Nuggets |
| T-4 |
46-36 |
2008-09 |
Phoenix Suns |
| T-4 |
46-36 |
2023-24 |
Sacramento Kings |
| T-4 |
46-36 |
2023-24 |
Golden State Warriors |
| 7 |
45-37 |
2014-15 |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
| 8 |
43-39 |
2012-13 |
Utah Jazz |
8th Seeds That Advanced Past the First Round
Eliminating a No. 1 seed has historically been one of the most difficult
first-round accomplishments in the NBA Playoffs. The following eighth seeds
advanced beyond the opening round.
| Year |
8th Seed |
First-Round Opponent |
Second Round |
| 2023 |
Miami |
Milwaukee (5) |
W New York (6) |
| 2012 |
Philadelphia |
Chicago (6) |
L Boston (7) |
| 2011 |
Memphis |
San Antonio (6) |
L Oklahoma City (6) |
| 2007 |
Golden State |
Dallas (6) |
L Utah (5) |
| 1999 |
New York |
Miami (5) |
W Atlanta (4) |
| 1994 |
Denver |
Seattle (5) |
L Utah (7) |
Note: The number in parentheses is the number of games
played in the playoff series as listed in the original data.
8th Seeds to Reach the Conference Finals and NBA Finals
| Year |
Team |
Conference Finals |
NBA Finals |
| 2023 |
Miami |
W Boston (7) |
L Denver (5) |
| 1999 |
New York |
W Indiana (6) |
L San Antonio (5) |
1999 New York Knicks
New York became the first No. 8 seed listed on this page to reach the
NBA Finals. The Knicks advanced past Miami and Atlanta before defeating
Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals. Their run ended against
San Antonio in the NBA Finals.
2023 Miami Heat
Miami became the second No. 8 seed on the page to reach the NBA Finals.
The Heat defeated Milwaukee, New York and Boston before losing to Denver
in the championship series.
Understanding the 8th Seed
The No. 8 seed traditionally represents the final playoff position in each
conference. Because playoff qualification has changed several times during
NBA history, comparing teams from different eras requires some context.
This page's statistical lists begin with the 1983-84 season. Before that
period, the NBA used playoff formats in which fewer teams qualified, so the
lower seeds from those earlier formats are not included in these rankings.
Historical Scope: These statistics are from the 1983-84
season forward. Earlier NBA seasons often featured playoff formats in which
only four to six teams from a conference or division qualified, so those
lower-seeded teams are not included in this list.
8th Seed NBA Playoff FAQ
What is the best record by an 8th seed in NBA history?
The best full-season record listed on this page is 50-32, shared by the
2007-08 Denver Nuggets and 2009-10 Oklahoma City Thunder.
What is the worst record by an 8th seed?
The lowest record listed is the 1985-86 Chicago Bulls at 30-52.
Has an 8th seed ever reached the NBA Finals?
Yes. The 1999 New York Knicks and 2023 Miami Heat both advanced from the
No. 8 seed to the NBA Finals.
Has an 8th seed ever won the NBA championship?
None of the eighth seeds listed on this page that reached the NBA Finals
won the championship.
Which 8th seeds have defeated a No. 1 seed?
The page lists Denver in 1994, New York in 1999, Golden State in 2007,
Memphis in 2011, Philadelphia in 2012 and Miami in 2023 among the No. 8
seeds that advanced beyond the opening round.
Related NBA Playoff Records
