Who remembers the team that loses the NBA Finals? Who remembers “Number 2” when “Number 1” is so legendary?
Few people remember, outside of the market where the “losers” are from.
That’s why winning a “chip' is so coveted by players and coaches: it cements a legacy. As they say, “Flags fly forever.”
Winning an NBA championship is the ultimate goal, but some of the greatest teams in history fell just short. Here’s a look at the ten best NBA teams that failed to capture a title and why they came up short.
10. 1980s Houston Rockets: The Twin Tower Era
The Rockets of the 1980s, led by Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon, had immense potential but couldn't overcome the dominant teams of their era. They made the 1986 NBA Finals but lost to the Boston Celtics, who were at the peak of their powers.
If Magic hadn’t been in LA, it’s likely the Rockets could have won a few more conference titles and possibly been champs that decade. Instead, Hakeem “The Dream” had to wait until the 1990s for his ring.
- Head Coach:
Bill Fitch
- Future Hall of Famers:
Hakeem Olajuwon, Ralph Sampson
- Rivals:
Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers
9. 1990s Indiana Pacers
The Pacers, led by sharpshooter Reggie Miller, were always a tough out in the Eastern Conference but could never get over the hump. They made the 2000 NBA Finals but lost to the Lakers in six games. Ultimately, the presence of Michael Jordan cost Reggie and his pals a chance to an NBA crown.
- Head Coach:
Larry Bird
- Future Hall of Famers:
Reggie Miller
- Rivals:
New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat
8. 1990s New York Knicks
The Knicks were one of the grittiest teams of the 1990s, built around Patrick Ewing's dominance in the paint. They reached the Finals in 1994 and 1999 but couldn't secure a title, falling to the Rockets and Spurs.
The Knicks were the natural successor to the Bad Boys Pistons as the great defensive team of its era. But, unlike the Pistons, the Knickerbockers didn’t have the firepower to dominate the league and get past MJ and the Chicago Bulls.
- Head Coach:
Pat Riley, Jeff Van Gundy
- Future Hall of Famers:
Patrick Ewing
- Rivals:
Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat
7. 2011-12 Oklahoma City Thunder
This Thunder squad had an incredible young core with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, three future Hall of Famers.
The Thunder reached the Finals but lost to the more experienced Miami Heat in five games. Harden was traded the next offseason, breaking up what could have been a dynasty.
- Head Coach:
Scott Brooks
- Future Hall of Famers:
Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, James Harden
- Rivals:
Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs
6. 1980s Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks of the 1980s had one of the best teams never to win a title, constantly running into roadblocks in the form of the Celtics and 76ers. They made deep playoff runs but couldn’t break through.
The Bucks won 50 games and the Central division title several times, but weren’t quite up to the task of getting past the Celtics, 76ers, and later the mighty Detroit Pistons.
- Head Coach:
Don Nelson
- Future Hall of Famers:
Sidney Moncrief, Bob Lanier
- Rivals:
Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers
5. 1960s Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers of the 1960s, led by Elgin Baylor and Jerry West, repeatedly fell short against Bill Russell’s Boston Celtics dynasty.
They lost to the Celtics in the Finals an astonishing six times during the decade.
- Head Coach:
Fred Schaus, Butch van Breda Kolff
- Future Hall of Famers:
Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain (later years)
- Rivals:
Boston Celtics
4. 1990s Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers were a powerhouse in the early 1990s, reaching the NBA Finals twice but losing both times—to the Bad Boy Pistons in 1990 and Michael Jordan’s Bulls in 1992. Their depth and versatility weren’t enough to overcome all-time greats.
- Head Coach:
Rick Adelman
- Future Hall of Famers:
Clyde Drexler
- Rivals:
Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Utah Jazz
3. 1990s Seattle SuperSonics
Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton led the Sonics to the 1996 NBA Finals, but they ran into the buzzsaw that was the 72-win Chicago Bulls. They had an exciting, high-flying team, but their lack of a consistent half-court offense doomed them against elite defenses.
- Head Coach:
George Karl
- Future Hall of Famers:
Gary Payton
- Rivals:
Chicago Bulls, Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets
2. 1990s Utah Jazz
The Jazz had a great duo in Karl Malone and John Stockton, but their path to a championship was blocked by Michael Jordan’s Bulls. They made back-to-back Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998 but couldn’t seal the deal. While great, their path was easier in a relatively weak Western Conference.
- Head Coach:
Jerry Sloan
- Future Hall of Famers:
Karl Malone, John Stockton
- Rivals:
Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Seattle SuperSonics
1. 2015-16 Golden State Warriors
The 73-win Warriors were supposed to be the best team ever—until they collapsed in the Finals. Leading 3-1 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, they lost three straight games, culminating in LeBron James’ historic Game 7 performance.
Draymond Green’s suspension for a flagrant foul on James shifted the series, and Golden State became the greatest team to choke in NBA history.
- Head Coach:
Steve Kerr
- Future Hall of Famers:
Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant (later joined)
- Rivals:
Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs
These teams were among the best ever assembled but failed to win an NBA championship. While they left their mark on the game, they ultimately fell short of the sport’s ultimate prize.
