NBA Teams That Have Never Won a Championship

Despite several of these teams on this list having short championship basketball odds in past seasons, they were never able to finish the job.

With that said, who are the NBA teams that have never won a championship? Let’s find out.

NBA Teams That Have Never Won a Championship

NBA Teams That Never Won It All

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets had a chance to compete for multiple championships when Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden teamed up in 2021, but that superstar trio didn’t last two seasons together.

The then-New Jersey Nets reached the Finals in 2002 and 2003 with Jason Kidd leading the way, but two dynasties got in the way—the Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal-led Los Angeles Lakers and Tim Duncan-led San Antonio Spurs.

Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets never advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, as their last playoff series win was in 2002, when they defeated the Orlando Magic in four games.

Indiana Pacers

Led by Reggie Miller, the Indiana Pacers had a great run from the mid-’90s to the mid-2000s, going as far as the NBA Finals in 2000.

They also reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014 while Paul George was ascending into superstardom, but they fell to the LeBron James and Dwyane Wade-led Miami Heat.

The Pacers got to the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight season in 2025, taking down the New York Knicks in six games to get to the NBA Finals.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers electrified the league during the “Lob City” era during the 2010s with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan leading a talented roster, but only got as far as the second round.

They added Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in 2019, hoping they would bring the Clippers their first championship.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies, led by Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph, were a gritty bunch during the 2010s, going as far as the Western Conference Finals in 2013 before being swept by the Spurs.

The Grizzlies hope their current young core of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane can bring championship glory to Memphis.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Kevin Garnett brought a ton of fire on both sides of the floor, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals in 2004 before losing to the Lakers in six games.

Minnesota got to the Western Conference Finals for a second straight year in 2025, despite trading former franchise star Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks in return for Julius Randle and Donte DiVicenzo during the offseason, before falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder in five games

New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans have only two playoff series wins in their franchise history, advancing to the second round in 2008 and 2018.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Led by Durant, Harden, and Russell Westbrook, the Thunder first reached the NBA Finals in 2012, but fell to the Heat in five games.

2025 NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander helped them get to the NBA Finals this season.

Orlando Magic

Led by Shaquille O’Neal, the Magic got to the Finals in 1995, but were swept by Hakeem Olajuwon and the Houston Rockets.

Dwight Howard helped them return in 2009 before falling to the Lakers in five games.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns, led by Devin Booker and Chris Paul, got to the Finals in 2021, but fell to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in six games.

The Suns also got to the Finals in 1993 and 1976.

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz, led by John Stockton and Karl Malone, reached the Finals in 1997 and 1998, but lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in both years.

NBA Teams That Have Never Been To the Finals

The Hornets, Clippers, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and Pelicans have never been to the NBA Finals.