Top 10 Longest Winning Streak in NBA History, Ranked
by Surya
Updated Apr 10, 2023
NBA Longest Winning Streak
The NBA (National Basketball Association) is one of the most popular professional basketball leagues in the world. Throughout its history, there have been many remarkable moments and accomplishments, including the longest winning streaks by teams. A winning streak is a sequence of consecutive games won by a team, and it is one of the most impressive feats in sports.
The NBA's longest winning streaks have been achieved by some of the most dominant teams in the league's history. These winning streaks have captivated fans and inspired awe in basketball enthusiasts around the world. Some of the most famous teams to achieve these feats include the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors.
A winning streak not only demonstrates a team's dominance but also requires exceptional teamwork, skill, and determination. It is a testament to a team's ability to maintain their focus and overcome adversity to achieve greatness. The NBA's longest winning streaks are a reminder of the incredible athleticism and talent displayed by the league's best players and teams.
Top 10 Longest Winning Streak in NBA History
RANK
TEAM
WINNING STREAK
1
Los Angeles Lakers
33
2
Golden State Warriors
28
3
Miami Heat
27
4
Houston Rockets
22
5
Milwaukee Bucks
20
6
Washington Capitols
20
7
Atlanta Hawks
19
8
Boston Celtics
19
9
Los Angeles Lakers
19
10
San Antonio Spurs
19
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List Of Top 10 NBA Longest Winning Streak Teams
1. Los Angeles Lakers – 33 Games
It's difficult to beat a team with six players who consistently score double digits per game, as exemplified by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers who managed an impressive 33-game winning streak. Led by basketball legends Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West, the team remained unbeaten from November 5 to January 7 and finished the season with a remarkable record of 69-13, boasting a winning margin of 16 points during their streak. The Lakers' offensive prowess was primarily driven by Gail Goodrich and Jerry West, who each averaged 25.9 and 25.8 points per game, respectively.
2. Golden State Warriors – 28 Games
The Golden State Warriors, who were the 2015 NBA champions, started the next season with an exceptional 24 consecutive wins, setting a new record. Led by Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, they aimed to establish themselves as the new dominant team in the league, winning games by an average margin of 13.9 points. The streak actually began in the previous season, as the Warriors finished with four consecutive wins against Portland, Minnesota, Memphis, and Denver. They extended their streak to 28 games, but it came to an end when the Milwaukee Bucks defeated them 108-95 on the road.
3. Miami Heat – 27 Games
In the 2012-13 NBA season, the Miami Heat established the second-longest streak in regular-season history. After falling short of the championship in their first season together in 2011-12, the trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh aimed to bounce back and demonstrate their dominance. With LeBron James averaging 27.1 points per game and Dwyane Wade contributing 22.1 points per game, the team went on a remarkable run of 27 consecutive victories, cementing their status as a top team in the league.
4. Houston Rockets – 22 Games
In the 2007-08 NBA season, the combination of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady proved to be dominant for the Houston Rockets as they secured 22 consecutive victories in the regular season. This winning streak began with a triumph over Golden State on January 29 and ended when the Los Angeles Lakers defeated them on March 16. Throughout the streak, the Rockets displayed an impressive 12-point winning margin on average, which helped them secure the fifth spot in the Western Conference standings. This feat also marked the longest winning streak in franchise history for Houston. However, despite their regular season success, they were unable to advance past the first round of the playoffs, losing in six games to the Utah Jazz.
5. Milwaukee Bucks – 20 Games
The debut season of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson as teammates in Milwaukee during the 1970-71 NBA season was a dominating one, leading the Bucks to a league-best record of 66 wins and 16 losses. Their impressive run included a 20-game winning streak with an average winning margin of 18.3 points against their opponents. The other three starters on the team, Bob Dandridge, Jon McGlockin, and Greg Smith, also made significant offensive contributions, resulting in the Bucks' continued dominance in the playoffs. The team only lost two games throughout the postseason.
6. Washington Capitols – 20 Games
The Washington Capitols hold the record for the longest NBA regular season winning streak, having won 20 consecutive games that spanned two seasons. The streak began with a five-game winning streak at the end of the 1947-48 season and continued into the 1948-49 season, during which they won 15 straight games. Bob Feerick and Bones McKinney were instrumental in leading the team to victory, and their success during the streak helped them establish a strong position in the league. However, their streak was ultimately ended by the St. Louis Bombers on December 7, 1948, in a narrow 88-83 loss.
7. Atlanta Hawks – 19 Games
The Atlanta Hawks had an impressive 19-game winning streak during the 2014-15 season that lasted for over a month. The team was led by the trio of Paul Millsap, Jeff Teague, and Al Horford, who played a key role in their success. Millsap was the team's leading scorer with an average of 16.7 points, while Teague was responsible for orchestrating the offense with his 7.0 assists per game. However, the streak was halted by the New Orleans Pelicans on February 2, 2015. Despite the loss, the Hawks finished the season with the best record in the Eastern Conference, boasting a 60-22 record that secured them the top seed heading into the playoffs. Unfortunately, they fell short of their championship aspirations and were swept by LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
8. Boston Celtics – 19 Games
After winning the NBA championship in 2008, the Boston Celtics aimed to establish a new dominant era in the league behind the trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. They started the 2008-09 season strong with eight wins in their first ten games and continued their success by going on a remarkable 19-game winning streak. However, their arch-rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, ended their streak in a Christmas Day rematch, where the Celtics suffered a 92-83 loss at the Staples Center, courtesy of Kobe Bryant and his teammates. In the playoffs, the Orlando Magic ended the Celtics' hopes of repeating as champions by eliminating them in the second round.
9. Los Angeles Lakers – 19 Games
In the 1999-2000 NBA season, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant formed a dominant duo that led the Los Angeles Lakers to multiple winning streaks of ten or more games. Their most impressive streak was a run of 19 consecutive victories, which lasted from February 4, 2000, to March 13, 2000. The Lakers' record-breaking streak was halted by the Washington Wizards, who defeated them 109-102 on March 16, 2000. Despite this loss, the Lakers finished the season with the best record in the league, going 67-15 overall. They went on to capture the NBA championship that season by defeating the Indiana Pacers in a six-game series.
10. San Antonio Spurs – 19 Games
Gregg Popovich has led the San Antonio Spurs to consistent success, making them one of the most dominant teams in the NBA. This was demonstrated by their franchise-best winning streak of 19 games during the 2013-14 season. Featuring core players such as Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs went on an impressive run from February 26, 2014, to April 2, 2014, blowing out opponents with an average winning margin of 21.9 points per game. Parker led the offensive charge, averaging 16.7 points and 5.7 assists per game during the regular season. In addition to Parker, five other players had double-digit scoring averages: Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, Manu Ginobili, Marco Belinelli, and Patty Mills. The Spurs finished the regular season with a league-best record of 62 wins and 20 losses, and went on to capture their fifth NBA title by defeating the Miami Heat 4-2 in the NBA Finals.
What is the Longest Win Streak in NBA History
The NBA has seen some of the most dominant teams in sports history, but none can claim to have achieved what the LA Lakers did during the 1971-72 season. That team went on an incredible 33-game winning streak, which remains the longest in NBA history to this day. The Lakers had a talented roster that included Hall of Famers such as Wilt Chamberlain, Jerry West, and Gail Goodrich. But their record-breaking win streak did not come easily. They had to battle hard every game and find ways to come out on top against some tough opponents.
The streak began on November 5, 1971, when the Lakers defeated the Baltimore Bullets 110-106. The team continued to win game after game, breaking the previous record of 20 consecutive wins set by the Milwaukee Bucks in the previous season. The Lakers were playing with a level of confidence and chemistry that made them nearly unbeatable. The streak was not without its challenges, however. In fact, there were several games during the streak where the Lakers came close to losing. One of the most memorable of these was a game against the Atlanta Hawks on December 14, 1971. The Lakers found themselves down by 11 points with just over three minutes left in the game. But they rallied back, with Goodrich scoring nine of his game-high 39 points in the final three minutes to give the Lakers a 104-103 victory.
Another close call came in a game against the Golden State Warriors on December 21, 1971. The Lakers were down by 13 points with just over six minutes left in the game, but they mounted a comeback to win the game 120-115. This game marked the halfway point of the Lakers' historic win streak. The Lakers continued to win game after game, setting a new record with every victory. They finally broke the 33-game mark on January 7, 1972, with a win over the Atlanta Hawks.
At this point, the team was becoming a national phenomenon, with people tuning in to see if they could extend the streak even further. But all good things must come to an end, and the Lakers' streak finally came to a close on January 9, 1972, when they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 120-104. Despite the loss, the Lakers had already etched their names into the record books with their incredible run. The Lakers' 33-game winning streak remains a legendary achievement in NBA history. It is a testament to the talent, hard work, and perseverance of the 1971-72 Lakers team.
But it is also a reminder that records are meant to be broken, and that there will always be teams pushing the limits and striving for greatness. Since the Lakers' historic win streak, many teams have come close to breaking it, but none have been able to match or surpass it. The Miami Heat came closest in the 2012-13 season with a 27-game win streak, but they fell short of the Lakers' record. The NBA is a constantly evolving league, with new players and teams emerging every season. It is impossible to predict when or if the Lakers' record will ever be broken. But one thing is certain: the 1971-72 Lakers will always hold a special place in NBA history for their incredible win streak and the legacy they left behind.
Top 10 Longest Winning Streak in NBA History - FAQs
The longest winning streak in NBA history belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors had the best regular season record in NBA history with 73 wins and 9 losses.
The core players of the San Antonio Spurs during their 19-game winning streak in the 2013-14 season were Tony Parker, Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard.
The 2008 Boston Celtics' 19-game winning streak was stopped by their rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, on Christmas Day.
The 1999-2000 Los Angeles Lakers were led by the duo of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant during their 19-game winning streak.