The NBA has produced legendary losers whose futility defined seasons and tested fanbases across decades. These squads stand out for record-low win rates, epic losing streaks, and the pain of repeated rebuild failures. Vote on which team truly owns the crown of worst ever.
What counts: Best means lowest win percentage combined with total losses and lasting notoriety; win rates and losses are approximate historical figures.
1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers▲ Rising
The 76ers lost their first 15 games and finished with the worst record in modern NBA history. Their 9-73 mark came after trading away stars and fielding an undermanned roster that rarely competed. The season set an all-time futility benchmark still referenced today.
Season: 1972-73Record: 9-73Win %: 0.11Losses: 73Signature Moment: 15-game losing streak to start
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2011-12 Charlotte Bobcats▲ Rising
In a lockout-shortened season the Bobcats posted the lowest winning percentage ever at .106. Constant injuries and poor drafting left them unable to win even against fellow bottom-feeders. Their collapse became a punchline for expansion-era mismanagement.
Season: 2011-12Record: 7-59Win %: 0.106Losses: 59Signature Moment: NBA-worst .106 win rate
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1992-93 Dallas Mavericks▲ Rising
Dallas went 11-71 after trading away their franchise player and entering full rebuild mode too early. The team lacked size, shooting, and veteran leadership on a nightly basis. Their record stood as the worst since the 76ers until the 2000s.
Season: 1992-93Record: 11-71Win %: 0.134Losses: 71Signature Moment: 11 wins in entire season
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2009-10 New Jersey Nets▲ Rising
The Nets started 0-18 and finished 12-70 after trading their best player for cap space that never materialized. Injuries and front-office missteps turned a young roster into a nightly blowout victim. The season remains the modern standard for tanking gone wrong.
Season: 2009-10Record: 12-70Win %: 0.146Losses: 70Signature Moment: 0-18 start to the season
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1986-87 Los Angeles Clippers▲ Rising
The Clippers finished 12-70 while dealing with constant injuries and front-office chaos in their early LA years. They lost 16 straight at one point and rarely threatened to win. The season cemented their reputation as the league's perpetual doormat.
Season: 1986-87Record: 12-70Win %: 0.146Losses: 70Signature Moment: 16-game losing streak
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2004-05 Atlanta Hawks▲ Rising
Atlanta won just 13 games in a season defined by injuries and the departure of key veterans. The team ranked last in scoring and near last in defense. The collapse triggered major front-office changes and a long rebuild.
Season: 2004-05Record: 13-69Win %: 0.159Losses: 69Signature Moment: 13-69 record and last in scoring
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1995-96 Vancouver Grizzlies
The expansion Grizzlies won only 15 games in their second season while building from scratch. Lack of talent and experience led to constant blowouts. The season exemplified the difficulties of new franchises in the 90s.
Season: 1995-96Record: 15-67Win %: 0.183Losses: 67Signature Moment: 15 wins in second year
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1997-98 Denver Nuggets▲ Rising
Denver posted 11 wins amid a full teardown that saw stars traded away for future assets. The team struggled with chemistry and defense all year. Their futility helped land the top pick in a strong draft class.
Season: 1997-98Record: 11-71Win %: 0.134Losses: 71Signature Moment: 11-71 during teardown
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1982-83 Houston Rockets▲ Rising
The Rockets won just 14 games after losing Moses Malone and struggling with injuries to the remaining core. Their defense ranked near the bottom and offense never found rhythm. The season became a textbook case of post-championship collapse.
Season: 1982-83Record: 14-68Win %: 0.171Losses: 68Signature Moment: Lost 68 games post-championship
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1993-94 Dallas Mavericks▲ Rising
Dallas followed its 11-win season with 13 wins, extending one of the worst stretches in franchise history. The team cycled through coaches and still lacked perimeter shooting or interior defense. The continued losing helped secure the top pick that became Jason Kidd.
Season: 1993-94Record: 13-69Win %: 0.159Losses: 69Signature Moment: 13 wins after 11-win season
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2002-03 Cleveland Cavaliers▲ Rising
Cleveland finished 17-65 in LeBron James's rookie year while the young roster learned the league. Poor shooting and defense plagued them nightly. The season set the stage for the franchise's turnaround.
Season: 2002-03Record: 17-65Win %: 0.207Losses: 65Signature Moment: 17-65 LeBron rookie year
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2015-16 Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers won only 10 games in the final year of the Process era before adding talent. Constant injuries and the deliberate lack of veteran help defined the season. The record became the modern symbol of extreme tanking.
Season: 2015-16Record: 10-72Win %: 0.122Losses: 72Signature Moment: 10-72 Process finale
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1973-74 Philadelphia 76ers
Still reeling from the prior year's disaster, the 76ers again posted only 25 wins and remained near the bottom of the East. Poor drafting and continued roster turnover prolonged the misery. The back-to-back poor seasons forced a full organizational reset.
Season: 1973-74Record: 25-57Win %: 0.305Losses: 57Signature Moment: Back-to-back sub-30 win seasons
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1989-90 New Jersey Nets
The Nets won just 17 games while cycling through coaches and dealing with injuries to their young core. The team ranked near the bottom in both offense and defense. The season highlighted ongoing franchise instability.
Season: 1989-90Record: 17-65Win %: 0.207Losses: 65Signature Moment: 17-65 with coaching carousel
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1984-85 New York Knicks▲ Rising
The Knicks won only 24 games in a season marred by injuries and poor chemistry. The team ranked near the bottom in scoring margin. The collapse led to major roster changes.
Season: 1984-85Record: 24-58Win %: 0.293Losses: 58Signature Moment: 24-58 injury-plagued year
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1998-99 Chicago Bulls
The post-Jordan, post-lockout Bulls won just 13 games in a shortened season. The roster lacked talent and direction after losing its stars. The season marked the nadir of the franchise's 90s success.
Season: 1998-99Record: 13-37Win %: 0.26Losses: 37Signature Moment: 13-37 shortened season
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2000-01 Chicago Bulls▼ Falling
Post-Jordan Bulls won only 15 games as the roster was completely rebuilt from the ground up. Lack of veteran leadership and scoring depth defined the year. The season became the low point before the next era.
Season: 2000-01Record: 15-67Win %: 0.183Losses: 67Signature Moment: 15-67 post-dynasty
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2012-13 Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte again finished near the bottom with 21 wins amid continued front-office and roster turnover. The team struggled to score and defend consistently. The season extended the franchise's reputation for futility.
Season: 2012-13Record: 21-61Win %: 0.256Losses: 61Signature Moment: 21-61 repeat low point
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2001-02 Golden State Warriors
Golden State finished 21-61 amid injuries and poor roster construction. The team ranked near the bottom in offense and defense. The season led to major changes.
Season: 2001-02Record: 21-61Win %: 0.256Losses: 61Signature Moment: 21-61 injury year
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2003-04 Cleveland Cavaliers▲ Rising
Cleveland won 35 games in LeBron's second year but still ranked near the bottom of the East. The young roster showed promise but lacked depth. The season marked gradual improvement.
Season: 2003-04Record: 35-47Win %: 0.427Losses: 47Signature Moment: 35-47 LeBron year two
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1987-88 Los Angeles Clippers▼ Falling
The Clippers won 17 games while dealing with injuries and front-office instability. The team rarely competed and finished near the bottom of the West. The season reinforced their doormat status.
Season: 1987-88Record: 17-65Win %: 0.207Losses: 65Signature Moment: 17-65 injury-plagued
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2014-15 Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota won 16 games in the final year of a long rebuild before adding talent. Injuries and lack of depth defined the season. The record marked the low point before improvement.
Season: 2014-15Record: 16-66Win %: 0.195Losses: 66Signature Moment: 16-66 final rebuild year
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1990-91 New Jersey Nets
The Nets won 26 games while developing young players amid injuries. The team struggled with defense. The season marked gradual improvement.
Season: 1990-91Record: 26-56Win %: 0.317Losses: 56Signature Moment: 26-56 young core
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1994-95 Minnesota Timberwolves
The young Timberwolves finished 21-61 while still learning how to win in the league. Lack of veteran presence and poor perimeter defense doomed the season. The record highlighted the growing pains of an expansion franchise.
Season: 1994-95Record: 21-61Win %: 0.256Losses: 61Signature Moment: 21 wins in fifth season
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2013-14 Utah Jazz
Utah won only 25 games while transitioning to a new core after trading veterans. The team struggled with scoring and defense nightly. The season set up a long rebuild.
Season: 2013-14Record: 25-57Win %: 0.305Losses: 57Signature Moment: 25-57 rebuild start
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2006-07 Memphis Grizzlies▼ Falling
Memphis won 22 games amid injuries and roster turnover. The team ranked near the bottom in efficiency. The season prompted major changes.
Season: 2006-07Record: 22-60Win %: 0.268Losses: 60Signature Moment: 22-60 injury year
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2005-06 Portland Trail Blazers
Portland finished 21-61 amid injuries and off-court issues that disrupted the young roster. The team ranked near the bottom in efficiency metrics. The season prompted major front-office overhaul.
Season: 2005-06Record: 21-61Win %: 0.256Losses: 61Signature Moment: 21-61 with off-court drama
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1991-92 Orlando Magic
Orlando won 21 games in their fourth season while developing young talent. The team struggled with consistency and defense. The season set up future success.
Season: 1991-92Record: 21-61Win %: 0.256Losses: 61Signature Moment: 21-61 young team
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1999-00 Chicago Bulls
The Bulls won 17 games in the second year of the rebuild after Jordan. Lack of talent and experience defined the season. The record extended the franchise's post-dynasty struggles.
Season: 1999-00Record: 17-65Win %: 0.207Losses: 65Signature Moment: 17-65 second rebuild year
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1996-97 Boston Celtics
Boston won only 15 games in a season defined by injuries and the end of the Bird era. The team ranked near the bottom in efficiency. The collapse led to a full rebuild.
Season: 1996-97Record: 15-67Win %: 0.183Losses: 67Signature Moment: 15-67 post-Bird
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2010-11 Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota won 17 games amid injuries and continued rebuild struggles. The team lacked scoring and defense. The season extended a long period of futility.
Season: 2010-11Record: 17-65Win %: 0.207Losses: 65Signature Moment: 17-65 rebuild year
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1988-89 Miami Heat▼ Falling
The expansion Heat won only 15 games in their second season while building from scratch. Lack of talent led to constant blowouts. The season highlighted expansion difficulties.
Season: 1988-89Record: 15-67Win %: 0.183Losses: 67Signature Moment: 15-67 expansion year
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1985-86 New York Knicks▼ Falling
The Knicks won 23 games in a season plagued by injuries and poor chemistry. The team ranked near the bottom in scoring. The collapse led to roster overhaul.
Season: 1985-86Record: 23-59Win %: 0.28Losses: 59Signature Moment: 23-59 injury year
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2008-09 Sacramento Kings▼ Falling
Sacramento won 17 games amid injuries and front-office turmoil. The team ranked near the bottom in offense. The season extended a long rebuild.
Season: 2008-09Record: 17-65Win %: 0.207Losses: 65Signature Moment: 17-65 rebuild year
added by IJR
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Wild that 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers is winning this. Scroll down — the real answer is further down the board.
Voted, but this order is going to look very different in a month once more people find it.
Came for the argument, stayed for the comparison grid. The numbers settle half the fights here.