The NBA has a long and storied history filled with incredible players and exciting games. One of the most impressive feats in basketball is going on a winning streak, where a team manages to string together a series of victories.
Over the years, we’ve seen some incredible winning streaks from some of the best teams in the league. From the legendary Lakers to the dominant Heat, these teams have left their mark on NBA history.
In this article, we’ll be taking a trip down memory lane and looking at the top 10 longest winning streaks in NBA history. Get ready to relive some of the greatest moments in basketball history and be amazed by the incredible talent on display.
T10. 1969-70 New York Knicks (18 Games)
The New York Knicks are one of the most popular NBA teams in the league. This is especially true because they play in the mecca of basketball, the New York Knicks. The 1969-70 season may have been the best season in Knicks’ history.
The team was led by stars Willis Reed and Walt Frazier. They also had solid role players as well, like David DeBusschere. This season would bring the Knicks their first NBA championship when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 4-3 with the iconic “Willis Reed Game.”
Before the Knicks won the title, they set a franchise record for wins in a row when they pulled off 18 straight. The streak started on October 24, 1969, with a 116-92 win over the Detroit Pistons. New York’s streak ended on November 29, 1969, against, coincidentally, the Detroit Pistons in a 110-98 loss.
The Pistons may have ended the Knicks’ winning streak, but no one would end the Knicks’ season, as winning the championship is the ultimate goal. Still, an 18-game winning streak isn’t bad, either.
T10. 1981-82 Boston Celtics (18 Games)
The Boston Celtics from the 1980s were one of the best teams the NBA had ever seen. They were led by Larry Bird, who would lead them to three NBA championships while winning three MVP awards himself.
The 1981-82 season for the Celtics would not see a championship as it saw in the 1980-81 season, but they’d still see history. From February 24, 1982, to March 26, 1982, the Celtics would record a franchise-record winning streak of 18 straight games.
What made this streak even more impressive is the fact Boston had to play five games during their streak without Larry Bird. The Celtics star was elbowed in the face by the Milwaukee Bucks’ Harvey Catchings and suffered a fractured cheekbone.
In this streak, Boston would defeat top teams in the league at that time, like the Milwaukee Bucks, Houston Rockets, and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics outscored their opponents by 11.6 points per game during the streak. This was up from a 6.4 ppg victory margin overall that season.
The Boston Celtics may have beaten the 76ers in their 18-game winning streak, but they would fall 4-3 to Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference Finals. Still, this didn’t take away from the great streak the Celtics went on during the 1981-82 season.
T10. 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (18 Games)
The 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, led by none other than Michael Jordan, is often considered the greatest team of all time. Their 18-game winning streak was just one of many impressive feats they accomplished that season.
What made this team so dominant? Well, for starters, they had Michael Jordan, who was at the peak of his powers. Jordan won his eighth scoring title that season, averaging 30.4 points per game, and also won his fourth MVP award.
But Jordan wasn’t the only star on the team. The Bulls also had Scottie Pippen, who was one of the best all-around players in the league. Pippen was a great defender and also contributed on the offensive end, averaging 21.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game during the winning streak.
But the Bulls’ success wasn’t just due to their star players. They also had a strong supporting cast, which included players like Dennis Rodman, Ron Harper, and Toni Kukoc.
On top of all this, the Bulls were extremely well-coached by Phil Jackson. Jackson was a master at getting the most out of his players and creating a cohesive team dynamic. He was also a master at making adjustments during games and series, which was a key factor in the Bulls’ success during their 18-game winning streak and throughout the season.
At the end of the season, the Bulls finished with a then-record 72 wins, and they’d have no trouble in the playoffs. This was Jordan’s first full season back from retirement, and he wanted to prove to the world he was still the best player on the planet.
Jordan would, indeed, prove this to be true as he won the MVP, All-Star Game MVP, and the Finals MVP. Oh, and he won his fourth NBA championship. Not bad for a former baseball player.
10T. 2019-20 Milwaukee Bucks (18 Games)
The Milwaukee Bucks had found themselves a real star by the 2019-20 season in Giannis Antetokounmpo. “The Greek Freak” was already an MVP by the 2019-20 season, winning the award in the 2018-19 season.
Giannis would win the MVP, along with the Defensive Player of the Year award, as he led the Bucks to a 56-17 record, the best in the league. Despite the brilliance of Giannis, the Bucks had many other solid players.
Khris Middleton, Eric Bledsoe, and Kyle Korver were just three of many other great players that fit well in the Bucks’ system. The team would fail to win a title this season, but next year, the Bucks would end their 50-year championship drought.
In the 2019-20 season, the Bucks would record their second-best winning streak in franchise history by winning 18 straight games. Milwaukee was proving in this winning streak that they were going to be the team of the future.
So far this season, this is proven to be true, as the Bucks are still one of the top teams in the league. Maybe this season will see the Bucks return back to the NBA Finals and win yet another championship.
T10. 2021-22 Phoenix Suns (18 Games)
The Phoenix Suns had a remarkable start to their 2021-22 NBA season. They managed to win an impressive 18 games in a row, starting at just the fifth game of the season. This winning streak set the franchise record for most wins in a row.
This winning streak not only captured the attention of basketball fans all over the world but also redefined the team’s future. Led by their star players, Devin Booker and Chris Paul, the Suns were playing exceptionally well on both sides of the court.
Their offense averaged 113.6 points per game, while their defense held opponents to just 102.2 points per game during their winning streak. This is an impressive stat, to say the least.
This winning streak had not only put them at the top of the Western Conference standings but also established them as serious contenders for the NBA championship.
The Suns’ coaching staff had also done an excellent job of preparing the team for every game and making the necessary adjustments during games. Overall, the Phoenix Suns’ 2021-22 season was successful to a point, but not to the degree the team wanted it to be.
After reaching the NBA Finals in the 2020-21 season and losing to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Suns hoped to rebound in the 2021-22 season and win it all. This would not happen, as the Suns would lose in the second round of the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks.
Still, the Suns’ 18-game winning streak was nothing short of remarkable. The streak made franchise history, and maybe this season, the Suns will achieve their ultimate goal of winning an NBA championship.
T6. 1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers (19 Games)
The 1999-00 Los Angeles Lakers team is one of the most iconic and memorable teams in NBA history. Led by legendary coach Phil Jackson, this team featured a star-studded lineup that included some of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Of course, at the center of it all was the inimitable Shaquille O’Neal, who was at the peak of his powers during this era. Together with the incredibly skilled and versatile Kobe Bryant, the Lakers were an unstoppable force on the court.
But this team was more than just its superstar players. The supporting cast was filled with talented and experienced veterans like Ron Harper, Robert Horry, and Derek Fisher, who each played a crucial role in the team’s success.
The Lakers were clearly the best team during the 1999-00 season, first going on a 16-game winning streak starting in December 1999. Later in the season, starting on February 4, 2000, the Lakers began their 19-game winning streak with a 113-67 dominant win over the Utah Jazz.
The streak lasted until March 16, 2000, when the Washington Wizards beat the Lakers 109-102. The Lakers didn’t mind because they’d go on to win their first championship since 1988 when they defeated the Indiana Pacers 4-2 in the NBA Finals.
T6. 2008-09 Boston Celtics (19 Games)
The Boston Celtics are one of the most successful teams in NBA history, and their 19-game winning streak during the 2008-09 season is a testament to their dominance. The Celtics were led by Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen, who were dubbed the “Big Three” and were a formidable force on the court.
During their 19-game winning streak, the Celtics defeated some of the league’s toughest opponents, including the Orlando Magic, the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Atlanta Hawks. Their streak came to an end when they faced the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day, losing by a score of 92-83.
The 2008-09 Celtics may not have won the NBA title, but they will be remembered as the team that had one of the greatest winning streaks in NBA history.
T6. 2013-14 San Antonio Spurs (19 Games)
After losing in the 2013 NBA Finals to the Miami Heat in seven games, the veteran-led San Antonio Spurs were on a mission to get back to the top and win their franchise’s fifth championship. They would achieve this in the 2013-14 season, but not before setting a franchise record winning streak during the season.
Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard played beautiful basketball all season long; this was thanks to great coaching from Gregg Popovich. After having an 11-game winning streak in early November, the Spurs then recorded a 19-game winning streak, starting on February 26, 2014, with a 120-110 win over the Detroit Pistons.
The streak would last until April 3, 2014, when the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Spurs 106-94. Still, the Spurs didn’t mind, especially since they’d win their fifth title with a 4-1 series victory over the Miami Heat in the 2014 NBA Finals.
T6. 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks (19 Games)
The 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks were not a team that people expected to make a deep run in the playoffs, let alone achieve a 19-game winning streak during the regular season. However, the team’s head coach Mike Budenholzer had other plans.
Budenholzer had been an assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs for nearly two decades and was known for his expertise in team building and player development.
Budenholzer took over as head coach of the Hawks in 2013 and immediately began to implement a new playing style that emphasized ball movement, player spacing, and team defense.
You can see this style of coaching in Budenholzer’s current team, the Milwaukee Bucks. His coaching strategy has helped the Bucks win the NBA title in 2021.
The 2014-15 Atlanta Hawks’ roster was full of solid players, like Paul Millsap, but none of them were true superstars. This meant that the team had to play as a cohesive unit in order to succeed.
The Hawks’ success during the 2014-15 season was a testament to Budenholzer’s coaching style and the team’s commitment to playing selfless basketball. The team finished the regular season with a record of 60-22, which was good enough for the number one seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Hawks’ 19-game winning streak was a major factor in their regular season success and helped to establish them as a legitimate title contender.
5. 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks (20 Games)
The Milwaukee Bucks have had their fair share of ups and downs in the NBA, but one of their most memorable moments came during the 1970-71 season. Led by the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (then known as Lew Alcindor), the Bucks went on an incredible 20-game winning streak that had fans on the edge of their seats.
During this streak, the Bucks defeated some of the best teams in the league, including the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Kareem was the star of the show, averaging an impressive 29.8 points per game and 17.6 rebounds per game during the streak.
The 20-game winning streak put them on the map and helped to solidify their place in Milwaukee sports history. Although the Bucks have had some great teams since then, they have yet to match their 20-game winning streak from the 1970-71 season.
It remains one of the most impressive feats in the team’s history and a testament to the incredible talent of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and his teammates. Oh, and Kareem capped the season off by delivering Milwaukee its first NBA championship with a 4-0 sweep over the Baltimore Bullets.
4. 2007-08 Houston Rockets (22 Games)
The Houston Rockets had an impressive 22-game winning streak during the 2007-2008 NBA season. Led by Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, the Rockets made a remarkable run, setting a franchise record for the longest winning streak in team history.
During this streak, the Rockets showed their dominance on both ends of the court, averaging 100.7 points per game and only allowing 88.3 points per game. They defeated several tough opponents during this winning streak, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dallas Mavericks.
The streak finally came to an end on March 18, 2008, when the Rockets lost to the Boston Celtics in a 94-74 blowout loss. Despite the loss, the Rockets finished the season with an impressive 55-27 record but lost 4-2 in the first round against the Utah Jazz.
The 22-game winning streak by the Rockets cemented their place in NBA history and is still remembered as one of the greatest runs in the league’s history.
3. 2015-16 Golden State Warriors (24 Games)
The Golden State Warriors had a historic winning streak of 24 games during the 2015-2016 NBA season. This streak started at the beginning of the season, the first 24 games of the season, in fact.
To be technical, the Warriors actually won 28 straight regular season games, as they won their last four regular season games of the 2014-15 season. For this list, we will only count winning streaks in one season, so it’s 24 straight wins for the Warriors here.
Led by their star players, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, the Warriors dominated the league and set numerous records during this impressive run. Their streak began on October 27, 2015, with a win over the New Orleans Pelicans, and continued for over two months until they were finally defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks on December 12th, 2015.
During this time, the Warriors defeated some of the top teams in the league, including the Toronto Raptors and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors would continue on with their hot play, setting the NBA regular season record with 73 wins.
Of course, the Warriors would suffer a historic collapse when they blew a 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals to the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers.
2. 2012-13 Miami Heat (27 Games)
The Miami Heat had a historic winning streak that lasted for 27 games in the 2012-13 season. This streak is the second-longest winning streak in NBA history.
It all started on February 3, 2013, with a game against the Toronto Raptors, which the Heat won 100-85. From there, the Heat went on to face some tough opponents, including the Los Angeles Clippers, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the New York Knicks.
During this incredible stretch of games, the Heat’s star players, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, were in top form, with James leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists. The Heat’s defense was also impressive, as they held their opponents to an average of just 93.4 points per game.
The Heat’s winning streak came to an end on March 27, 2013, with a loss to the Chicago Bulls. Despite the loss, the Heat had made history and proved that they were a dominant force in the NBA. And the team would go on to win their second straight NBA championship, capping off their incredible season.
Looking back on this winning streak, it’s clear that the Miami Heat were a powerhouse team with incredible talent and a relentless drive to win. Their 27-game winning streak will be remembered as one of the greatest achievements in NBA history and a testament to the skill and determination of this legendary team.
1. 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers (33 Games)
The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most successful franchises in NBA history. Their 33-game winning streak during the 1971-72 season is a testament to their greatness.
Led by Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, the Lakers dominated their opponents during the streak, which lasted from November 5, 1971, to January 9, 1972. No team has ever won as many games in a row as these Lakers.
During this incredible run, the Lakers defeated teams from all over the league, including the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. The Lakers’ 33-game winning streak is the longest in all of American professional sports history, and it remains one of the most impressive feats in NBA history.
The Lakers would end up winning the NBA title that season, which would give Jerry West his first and only championship won as a player. This title would also be Wilt Chamberlain’s second and last championship in his legendary career. To this day, Lakers fans still celebrate this incredible achievement, and it serves as a reminder of the team’s greatness during the early 1970s.
The NBA has seen some incredible winning streaks over the years. From the dominance of the Wilt Chamberlain-led Los Lakers to the shooting prowess of the Golden State Warriors, these teams have proven to be nearly unbeatable during their respective streaks.
However, as the league continues to evolve and new players and teams emerge, the question remains: will we see another team go on a historic winning streak in the future?
While it’s impossible to predict the future, it’s clear that the NBA is home to some of the most talented athletes in the world, and the competition is fierce. With the development of new strategies and tactics, as well as advancements in technology and training methods, it’s possible that we could see a team go on a winning streak that surpasses any we’ve seen before.
Source: fadeawayworld
