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.
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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
