Current:Home > NewsWhat is best start in NBA history? Five teams ahead of Cavaliers' 13-0 record -NextFrontier Finance
What is best start in NBA history? Five teams ahead of Cavaliers' 13-0 record
View
Date:2025-04-12 17:31:53
No pressure, it's just perfection.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have raced out to a perfect 13-0 mark this season under new coach Kenny Atkinson, becoming the sixth team in NBA history to win their first 13 games of the season. The Cavaliers are the NBA's second-rated offense (120.9) and most accurate 3-point shooting team (41.2%). Cleveland ranks second in point differential (11.7), behind only the Oklahoma City Thunder (12.7).
Yet, the Cavaliers are nowhere near the NBA's most prolific start, with five teams still ahead. The good news for Cleveland is that of the five previous teams that won their first 13 games to start a regular season, four made it to the NBA Finals.
Here's everything you need to know about the best starts in NBA history.
What is the record for best start in NBA history?
The 2015-16 Golden State Warriors, the team that went on to set the record for most regular season victories in a single season (73), also set the mark for best start to a season in NBA history.
All things Cavaliers: Latest Cleveland Cavaliers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
The Warriors opened their season 24-0 before picking up their first loss of that season on Dec. 12 against the Bucks. It obliterated the previous NBA record for best start to a season, when the 1993-94 Houston Rockets went 15-0.
Interestingly, it wasn't coach Steve Kerr who led the team to that remarkable start. Kerr underwent back surgery and was sidelined for the first 43 games of the season. Assistant coach Luke Walton served as the interim coach and led Golden State to that 24-0 start and eventually led the team to a 39-4 mark before Kerr returned.
The 2015-16 Warriors lost in the NBA Finals in seven games to the Cavaliers.
Where do the Cavaliers rank in best starts in NBA history?
- 2015-16 Golden State Warriors (lost NBA Finals): 24-0
- 1993-94 Houston Rockets (won NBA Finals): 15-0
- 1948-49 Washington Capitols (lost NBA Finals): 15-0
- 2002-03 Dallas Mavericks (lost Western Conference Finals): 14-0
- 1957-58 Boston Celtics (lost NBA Finals): 14-0
- 2024-25 Cleveland Cavaliers: 13-0
- 1996-97 Chicago Bulls (won NBA Finals): 12-0
- 1982-83 Seattle SuperSonics (lost first-round series): 12-0
Cleveland Cavaliers upcoming schedule
- Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Chicago Bulls
- Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. vs. Charlotte Hornets
- Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at Boston Celtics
- Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. vs. New Orleans Pelicans
- Nov. 24 at 7:30 p.m. vs. Toronto Raptors
- Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. vs. Atlanta Hawks
- Nov. 29 at 2:30 p.m. at Atlanta Hawks
- Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. vs. Boston Celtics
- Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. vs. Washington Wizards
- Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. vs. Denver Nuggets
- Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. at Charlotte Hornets
- Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. at Miami Heat
*All times Eastern
veryGood! (7764)
Related
- Travis Hunter, the 2
- Flights in 2023 are cheaper than last year. Here's how to get the best deals.
- The Bills' Josh Allen is a turnover machine, and he's the only one to blame
- Russian authorities ask the Supreme Court to declare the LGBTQ ‘movement’ extremist
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Mistrial declared for Texas officer in fatal shooting of unarmed man that sparked outcry
- Nation's top auto safety regulator misses deadline on potentially life-saving new rules for vehicle seats
- Rapper Sean Diddy Combs accused of rape, abuse by ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in lawsuit
- A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
- Woman accused of involvement in death of child found in suitcase in Indiana makes a plea deal
Ranking
- What polling shows about Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ new running mate
- Biden meets with Mexican president and closes out APEC summit in San Francisco
- California fugitive sentenced for killing Florida woman in 1984
- Pennsylvania high court justice’s name surfaces in brother’s embezzlement trial
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- At Formula One’s inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, music takes a front seat
- Madagascar’s incumbent President Rajoelina takes early lead in vote marked by boycott, low turnout
- Tiger Woods' ex-girlfriend Erica Herman drops lawsuit, denies making sexual harassment allegations
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Moms for Liberty removes two Kentucky chapter leaders who posed with far-right Proud Boys
Billie Eilish Says She Never Felt Truly Like a Woman
Judge declares mistrial in case of Brett Hankison, ex-officer involved in fatal Breonna Taylor raid
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Taylor Zakhar Perez Responds to Costar Jacob Elordi Criticizing The Kissing Booth
$1 million teacher prize goes to Sister Zeph. Her philosophy: 'Love is the language'
Woman accused of involvement in death of child found in suitcase in Indiana makes a plea deal