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20. Atlanta Hawks
Record Since 2004-05: 757-842
Best Season: 2014-15 (60-22) – Lost in Eastern Conference Finals
The Atlanta Hawks made the playoffs ten straight seasons from 2007 to 2017, peaking in 2014-15 with a 60-win team led by Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap, Al Horford, and Kyle Korver. Despite earning the East’s top seed, they were swept in the Conference Finals by LeBron James and the Cavaliers. Hawks fans now look to Trae Young and a talented young core to push the franchise to new heights.
19. Portland Trail Blazers
Record Since 2004-05: 784-822
Best Season: 2018-19 (53-29) – Lost in Western Conference Finals
The Trail Blazers made the playoffs eight straight seasons from 2013 to 2021, led by Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, and, early on, LaMarcus Aldridge. Their 2019 run to the Western Conference Finals was a highlight, though it ended with a sweep by the powerhouse Golden State Warriors. Now in a rebuild, Portland hopes Scoot Henderson can emerge as the franchise’s next cornerstone, with their young talent developing around him.
18. Memphis Grizzlies
Record Since 2004-05: 796-809
Best Season: 2012-13 (56-26) – Lost in Western Conference Finals
The Grizzlies’ peak came during a seven-year playoff run from 2010 to 2017, led by Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol’s dominant post play. Despite never reaching the NBA Finals, Memphis finished with the West’s second-best record in back-to-back seasons from 2021 to 2023. With Ja Morant as the explosive face of the franchise, they’re hoping to take the next step.
17. Milwaukee Bucks
Record Since 2004-05: 803-802
Best Season: 2020-21 (46-26) – Won NBA Championship
Before Giannis Antetokounmpo emerged as the face of the franchise, the Bucks struggled with consistency and had few playoff appearances. Since his breakout in 2016, Milwaukee has transformed into a perennial contender, earning a top-three seed in the Eastern Conference for six consecutive seasons since 2018-19. Their 2021 championship marked the franchise’s highest point in decades, with Giannis leading the way. The Bucks remain committed to building a championship-caliber team around him in pursuit of more titles.
16. Toronto Raptors
Record Since 2004-05: 815-789
Best Season: 2018-19 (58-24) – Won NBA Championship
Toronto fans will always cherish the years led by Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, when the team consistently contended but fell short of the ultimate prize. That changed in 2019, when Kawhi Leonard guided the Raptors to a magical playoff run and their first NBA championship. Now in a new chapter, the franchise is focused on building around Scottie Barnes, hoping to return to contention in the near future.
15. Indiana Pacers
Record Since 2004-05: 815-789
Best Season: 2013-14 (56-26) – Lost in Eastern Conference Finals
The Indiana Pacers have had their share of ups and downs over the past twenty years, including a stretch of five consecutive first-round exits from 2015 to 2020. Their peak came in 2013 and 2014 when they reached the Eastern Conference Finals during the Paul George era. Now, with Tyrese Haliburton as the franchise’s point guard, the Pacers are looking to build on their recent success after making it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
14. Chicago Bulls
Record Since 2004-05: 817-780
Best Season: 2010-11 (62-20) – Lost in Eastern Conference Finals
It has been quite some time since the Bulls felt relevant, having made the playoffs only once in the past seven seasons. However, from the 2008-2009 season, Chicago enjoyed a strong stretch with seven consecutive playoff appearances, peaking in 2011 with a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, led by the dynamic Derrick Rose. Now, Bulls fans are hoping the team can find a sense of direction, with many questions remaining and a need for a new star to emerge.
13. Los Angeles Lakers
Record Since 2004-05: 823-780
Best Season: 2008-09 (65-17) – Won NBA Championship
As one of the most iconic teams in sports, the Los Angeles Lakers have experienced incredible highs and tough lows over the past twenty years. They won back-to-back titles in 2009 and 2010, highlighted by Kobe Bryant’s heroics. From 2013 to 2019, the team missed the playoffs six straight seasons before reclaiming glory with LeBron James in 2020. They haven’t returned to the Finals since, but fans are hoping Luka Doncic can lead them back to championship contention.
12. Cleveland Cavaliers
Record Since 2004-05: 825-772
Best Season: 2015-2016 (57-25) – Won NBA Championship
The glory years for the Cavaliers were undoubtedly led by LeBron James. From 2005 to 2010, Cleveland was a perennial contender but fell short of a title. When James returned in 2014, they made four straight Finals appearances, culminating in their historic 2016 championship over the 73-9 Warriors. Now in 2025, the Cavaliers have a deep, talented roster, led by the star power of Donovan Mitchell and the rising talents of Evan Mobley, putting them back in the title hunt.
11. Phoenix Suns
Record Since 2004-05: 847-758
Best Season: 2020-21 (51-21) – Lost in NBA Finals
The Phoenix Suns racked up plenty of wins during the Steve Nash era, including a 62-win season in 2004-05. From 2004 to 2006, they were a top-two seed in the West but fell short of the Finals. After a decade-long playoff drought from 2010 to 2020, they returned in 2021 behind Chris Paul and Devin Booker, making a run to the NBA Finals. Now, with Kevin Durant in the mix, the Suns face plenty of uncertainty, as their talent hasn’t quite meshed, making contention more of a struggle than expected.
10. Utah Jazz
Record Since 2004-05: 856-748
Best Season: 2006-07 (51-31) – Lost in Western Conference Finals
Recent seasons haven’t been kind to the Utah Jazz as they navigate a rebuild. However, the past 20 years have featured plenty of success, including six straight playoff appearances from 2016-2022, once claiming the top seed in the West behind Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert. Going back to 2006-07, fans fondly remember Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer leading the team to the Western Conference Finals. Now, patience is key as Utah hopes its young core can develop into future contenders.
9. Los Angeles Clippers
Record Since 2004-05: 863-741
Best Season: 2020-21 (47-25) – Lost in Western Conference Finals
Clippers fans have witnessed plenty of success without a title over the past 20 years. The Chris Paul and Blake Griffin era (2011-2017) brought excitement but never resulted in a championship. Kawhi Leonard’s arrival raised expectations, yet they fell short in the 2021 Western Conference Finals against the Suns. Now, with Leonard and James Harden, the Clippers are fighting to maximize their window, staying competitive as a top-six seed.
8. Oklahoma City Thunder
Record Since 2004-05: 863-741
Best Season: 2011-12 (47-19) – Lost in NBA Finals
The 2009-2010 season marked the emergence of the Oklahoma City Thunder, as Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and a young James Harden, who was starting to make a name for himself, led the team to a 50-win season, sparking 11 straight years with a winning record. Despite numerous playoff appearances and talented rosters, a championship has eluded them. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander now at the helm and a roster brimming with potential, this could be the year the Thunder finally go the distance.
7. Houston Rockets
Record Since 2004-05: 877-727
Best Season: 2017-18 (65-17) – Lost in Western Conference Finals
The past 20 years have featured plenty of great seasons with different rosters for the Houston Rockets. Fans will fondly remember the mid and late 2000s with Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, though they never made a deep playoff run. James Harden took the reins in 2012, leading the Rockets to multiple top-seed finishes until 2020. After missing the postseason for the past four years, the Rockets are showing signs of a comeback, with Alperen Sengun emerging as a rising superstar.
6. Golden State Warriors
Record Since 2004-05: 889-708
Best Season: 2014-15 (67-15) – Won NBA Finals
No surprise to see the Golden State Warriors high on this list with four titles and six championship appearances. Between 2004 and 2012, Golden State made the playoffs just once, but everything changed when the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, took the league by storm. All of their championship years were memorable, but the first one in 2015 marked the start of something special. Now, with the recent trade for Jimmy Butler, the Golden State Warriors are hoping to capitalize on the final window of Steph Curry’s magical career.
5. Miami Heat
Record Since 2004-05: 920-685
Best Season: 2012-13 (66-16) – Won NBA Championship
The Miami Heat have been one of the most steady and consistent franchises over the past twenty years, with three titles, seven Finals appearances, and 16 winning seasons. Between 2010-2014, the team dominated with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, winning two titles and making four Finals appearances. Recent years have featured strong runs led by Jimmy Butler, but with the star’s departure, Miami finds itself in a new chapter. The Heat will likely remain competitive, but it remains to be seen which direction they will take moving forward.
4. Denver Nuggets
Record Since 2004-05: 930-675
Best Season: 2022-23 (53-29) – Won NBA Championship
Even before Nikola Jokić took over, the Denver Nuggets had several successful seasons, particularly during the Carmelo Anthony era, when they made the playoffs for nine consecutive years from 2004 to 2013. The franchise’s highest point came in 2023, when Jokić led them to their first-ever NBA title, making the game look effortless. Now, with a strong core still in place, Denver is looking to continue its success and push for another championship run.
3. Dallas Mavericks
Record Since 2004-05: 931-676
Best Season: 2010-11 (57-25) – Won NBA Finals
Dirk Nowitzki was the cornerstone of the Dallas Mavericks during their glory days, with the team consistently competing throughout the early 2000s and into the next decade. After falling short in the 2006 NBA Finals to the Miami Heat, the Mavericks avenged that loss with a championship victory over Miami in 2011. With Luka Dončić leading the charge, the Mavericks made deep playoff runs, including a Finals appearance in 2024. Now, after a seismic trade, all eyes are on Anthony Davis as the team looks to make another title push with a different approach.
2. Boston Celtics
Record Since 2004-05: 942-661
Best Season: 2007-08 (66-16) – Won NBA Championship
The Celtics have plenty of NBA titles to look back fondly on, with two championships over the past twenty seasons and four finals appearances. The franchise has been a consistent winner, making the playoffs 17 out of the last 20 seasons. The 2008 run was especially memorable, with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo forming a fearsome foursome that delivered a championship. Now, as defending champions, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are running the show, and the Celtics are focused on repeating as champions, with few teams seeming capable of stopping them.
1. San Antonio Spurs
Record Since 2004-05: 992-611
Best Season: 2013-14 (62-20) – Won NBA Championship
One of the most impressive runs in sports history, the San Antonio Spurs have plenty of highlights from the past twenty years. They won championships in 2005, 2007, and 2014, with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili forming a legendary trio under coach Gregg Popovich. The franchise was a model of consistency, regularly finishing as a top-three seed in the Western Conference. Between 2004 and 2017, they recorded an incredible 13 straight seasons with at least 50 wins. After 2019, their historic playoff streak came to an end, and the team has been in rebuilding mode ever since. However, with Victor Wembanyama looking like the next face of the league, the Spurs could return to glory sooner rather than later.
