Which teams have lost the most NBA finals?

Publish date: 2024-07-14

The NBA Championship is the most coveted title in the world of basketball. To excel and trump on the greatest stage of the sport is every professional basketball player’s dream. Since the first NBA finals in 1947, the champions of the Eastern and Western Conference have clashed a total of 77 times for the ultimate title of supremacy. But exactly which teams have lost the most NBA finals?

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics have clinched the most championship titles in NBA history. The two NBA giants have won the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy a total of 17 times each.

Over the years, several franchises that have appeared in the NBA Finals on more than one occasion, fighting for the ultimate glory. And yet only one would leave as champion, as has been the way of the sport.

Nevertheless, by the end of every season, one of the conference champions would crumble in defeat as their fellow opponents lifted the title. So exactly which franchise has lost the most NBA finals?

Which teams have lost the most NBA Finals?

The Los Angeles Lakers have lost the most finals in NBA history with 15 Finals losses, followed by the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks with six Finals series losses.

The Golden State Warriors have recorded five NBA Finals series defeats, while the Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers have lost four Finals series each.

Los Angeles Lakers: 15 Finals Lost

Out of their 32 final appearances, the Los Angeles Lakers won 17 Championships while losing the other 15 Finals series. Their last finals were in 2020, where the Lakers beat the Miami Heat to lift their 17th historic championship title.

The Lakers’ last finals defeat came in 2008 when they lost against the Boston Celtics 2-4 in six games. With 15 defeats out of 32 appearances, the purple and gold have recorded a 46.9% loss percentage in franchise history.

Compared to the Lakers, the Boston Celtics have won 17 titles in 22 Finals, which makes them the more successful team. The LA Lakers have lost more finals than any other franchise in the league.

Philadelphia 76ers: 6 Finals Lost

The Philadelphia 76ers played 9 NBA Finals, winning three titles in their franchise history. Out of their six Finals losses, the 76ers lost their last Finals in 2001 against the Los Angeles Lakers. In fact, they also won their last Championship title, beating the Lakers in the 1983 Finals.

With six defeats out of nine appearances, the 76ers have recorded a 66.6% loss percentage in their franchise history.

New York Knicks: 6 Finals Lost

The New York Knicks lost 6 NBA Finals series out of their 8 Finals appearances. They played their last finals vs. the San Antonio Spurs in 1999, which ended in a 4-1 defeat for the Knicks.

Their last Finals glory came in 1973 when they beat the Los Angeles Lakers to lift the title. With six defeats in eight appearances, the Knicks have recorded a 75% loss percentage in franchise history.

Golden State Warriors: 5 Finals Lost

The Golden State Warriors have won four Championship titles in just eight years since 2015. Having appeared in 11 Finals series in their franchise history, the Warriors have won a total of six NBA titles.

Their last NBA Finals saw them lift the 2022 NBA Championship. The Warriors faced their last defeat in the 2019 NBA finals, where they crumbled in defeat against the Toronto Raptors.

With five defeats out of 11 appearances, the Golden State Warriors have recorded a 45.4% loss percentage in franchise history.

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