Winning an NBA title isn’t easy — just ask a number of the organizations in the league that have never done so.
There have been a number of NBA champions throughout its history. In fact, two-thirds of the teams currently in the NBA have taken home the Larry O’Brien Trophy after climbing the top of the basketball summit.
However, there remains a handful of squads who are title-less. Some have reached the NBA Finals multiple times but have failed to conquer hoops’ ultimate quest, while others have never even tasted what it’s like to play in the final series.
So how many NBA teams have never won the NBA Finals? The Sporting News has the answer.
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How many NBA teams have never won the NBA Finals?
In total, there are 10 teams that have never won the NBA Finals. Of those clubs, only half have even reached the final series of the NBA Playoffs.
Among the franchises that have not won an NBA title, the Suns have gone on the longest without bringing a championship to the desert. Phoenix is the oldest NBA franchise without a title, as it joined the league in 1968.
In addition to being the oldest franchise without a title, the Suns have made the most Finals appearances without a win, with their most recent loss coming in 2021.
Here is the complete list:
| Team | Total NBA Finals appearances | Last NBA Finals appearance |
| Suns | 3 | 2021 |
| Magic | 2 | 2009 |
| Nets | 2 | 2003 |
| Jazz | 2 | 1998 |
| Pacers | 1 | 2000 |
| Clippers | 0 | — |
| Grizzlies | 0 | — |
| Hornets | 0 | — |
| Pelicans | 0 | — |
| Timberwolves | 0 | — |
Teams with the most NBA championships
It shouldn’t be a surprise that two of the NBA’s most storied franchises are at the top of the championship leaderboard. The Lakers and Celtics are tied for the most NBA championships with 17 apiece.
Los Angeles drew even Boston thanks to its win in the 2020 “bubble” at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando.
| Team | NBA Finals wins | Last NBA Finals win |
| Lakers | 17 | 2020 |
| Celtics | 17 | 2008 |
| Warriors | 7 | 2022 |
| Bulls | 6 | 1998 |
| Spurs | 5 | 2014 |
| Heat | 3 | 2013 |
| Pistons | 3 | 2004 |
| 76ers | 3 | 1983 |
| Bucks | 2 | 2021 |
| Rockets | 2 | 1995 |
| Knicks | 2 | 1973 |
| Nuggets | 1 | 2023 |
| Raptors | 1 | 2019 |
| Cavaliers | 1 | 2016 |
| Mavericks | 1 | 2011 |
| Thunder | 1 | 1979* |
| Wizards | 1 | 1978 |
| Trail Blazers | 1 | 1977 |
| Hawks | 1 | 1958* |
| Kings | 1 | 1951* |
*Finals win came when the franchise was located in a different city. Thunder’s Finals win came as Seattle SuperSonics. Hawks’ win came while the franchise was located in St. Louis. Kings’ win came when the team was known as the Rochester Royals.
