It hasn’t even been three months since the Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA Finals. That was the franchise’s 18th title in their storied history, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in NBA history. While their success is unmatched, there are six teams that haven’t won a championship in their last 50 seasons. Three of the six teams listed are still waiting for their first ever title. Other teams without an NBA championship that are not listed are the Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, and Orlando Magic. Those seven teams haven’t been NBA franchises for at least 50 seasons. Here are the six-longest team championship droughts currently in the NBA.
The Longest Team Championship Droughts Currently In The NBA
Sacramento Kings – 73 seasons (1951)
Back when they were known as the Rochester Royals, the franchise won their first and only championship in 1951. It is now going on more than seven decades since they have even reached the NBA Finals. Sacramento recently had a 16-season stretch from 2007-2022 where they didn’t even qualify for the playoffs.
Atlanta Hawks – 66 seasons (1958)
Led by Bob Pettit, the St. Louis Hawks won an NBA championship back in 1958. They lost in the NBA Finals in 1960 and 1961 and haven’t made it back since. The franchise moved to Atlanta in 1968 and have only reached the Eastern Conference finals twice since (2015 and 2021).
Phoenix Suns – 56 seasons (never)
The Suns have reached the NBA Finals three times in franchise history. In 1976, they lost in six games to the Celtics. They faced Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in 1993, losing in six games. Up 2-0 in the 2021 NBA Finals, Phoenix went on to lose the next four outings against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Los Angeles Clippers – 54 seasons (never)
Whether as the Buffalo Braves, San Diego Clippers, or Los Angeles Clippers, the franchise is still looking for their first championship. They are also looking for their first NBA Finals appearance as they have now gone more than half a century without being one of the final two teams remaining. In their 54 seasons of existence, they have reached the Western Conference Finals just once in 2021.
New York Knicks – 51 seasons (1973)
Since their 1973 championship more than five decades ago, the Knicks have reached the NBA Finals twice. They lost to the Houston Rockets in seven games in 1994 and in five games to the San Antonio Spurs in 1999. New York is the only franchise of the six listed here that have won multiple championships in their history. They also won it all in 1970, with both championships occurring under head coach Red Holzman.
Utah Jazz – 50 seasons (never)
Led by the dynamic duo of Karl Malone and John Stockton, Utah reached back-to-back NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. Both times, they ran into the Bulls, and both times, they fell in six games. They have reached the Western Conference Finals just once since in 2007. Despite not having a championship, the Jazz have experienced plenty of regular season success as they have 17 years of at least 50 wins.
