Here are some of the worst NBA team records ever, based on overall win-loss performance and historical infamy:
All-Time Worst NBA Records
- 2011–12 Charlotte Bobcats: 7–59 (.106 winning percentage). This is the worst record ever in an NBA season and occurred during a lockout-shortened 66-game schedule.
- 1972–73 Philadelphia 76ers: 9–73 (.110 win percentage). The worst 82-game record in NBA history with only nine wins.
- 2015–16 Philadelphia 76ers: 10–72 (.122 win percentage). The Sixers came close to breaking their own infamous record, with a 1–30 season start.
- 1992–93 Dallas Mavericks: 11–71 (.134 win percentage), also finishing with the worst point differential ever, at –1,246.
- 1997–98 Denver Nuggets: 11–71 (.134 win percentage).
- 2010 New Jersey Nets, 1986–87 LA Clippers: Both went 12–70 (.146 win percentage).
Other Notably Poor Performances
- 1988–89 Miami Heat, 2007–08 Miami Heat, several teams such as the 2014–15 New York Knicks, 1996–97 Vancouver Grizzlies, 2010–11 Minnesota Timberwolves: All finished with only 15 wins out of 82 games, tying for a historically low mark.
- 1947–48 Providence Steamrollers: 6–42, the worst win percentage for teams playing 48 games.
Unique Lows
- The 1952–53 Baltimore Bullets made the playoffs with a 16–54 record, the lowest win percentage for a playoff team.
These teams are recognized not just for their poor win-loss numbers, but also for lengthy losing streaks, historically weak rosters, and, in some cases, franchise instability or long-term rebuilding.