The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers constantly compete for the most NBA championships. In 2024, the Celtics secured their 18th title, surpassing the Lakers` total. While these two historic franchises dominate at the top, there are still 10 active teams aspiring to win their first-ever championship.
The Denver Nuggets were the most recent addition to the list of NBA champions, claiming their inaugural title in 2023 by defeating the Miami Heat in the Finals. Looking ahead to the 2025 NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers are set to face the Oklahoma City Thunder, with both teams aiming to capture their franchise`s first championship.
Here is an overview of the ten NBA franchises that are still seeking their first championship, along with the number of times they have reached the NBA Finals:
Brooklyn Nets (2)
The Nets previously won two ABA championships, notably led by Julius Erving. However, they have not won an NBA title since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976, after selling Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers. The franchise, then known as the New Jersey Nets and featuring Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin, came close with back-to-back Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. They were defeated by Shaquille O`Neal`s Lakers in one year and Tim Duncan`s San Antonio Spurs in the other.
Charlotte Hornets (0)
Michael Jordan`s Chicago Bulls eliminated the Hornets in the Eastern Conference semifinals in 1998 en route to their sixth NBA title in eight seasons. While Jordan achieved immense success as a player, he was unable to replicate that success as the owner in Charlotte. Jordan sold his majority stake in the Hornets in 2023, but prior to that, a series of disappointing draft picks (such as Emeka Okafor, Adam Morrison, Michael-Kidd Gilchrist, and Cody Zeller, all top-10 selections) hindered the Hornets` ability to make deep playoff runs.
Indiana Pacers (2)
Similar to the Nets, the Pacers were a powerhouse in the ABA, winning three championships before the 1976 merger. Also like the Nets, the Pacers encountered Shaquille O`Neal`s Lakers in the NBA Finals. Reggie Miller`s team seemed poised to finally secure that elusive NBA title in 2000, but Shaquille O`Neal, Kobe Bryant, and the Lakers defeated Indiana in six games, beginning their run of three consecutive championships. The Pacers will have another opportunity to win their first title in the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
LA Clippers (0)
The Clippers franchise has faced a significant amount of bad luck throughout its moves from Buffalo to San Diego and ultimately to Los Angeles (now based in Inglewood). The team is still searching for its first NBA Finals appearance. Despite having talented rosters over the years, injuries to key players like Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard have consistently derailed potential deep playoff runs. Compounded by periods of questionable ownership and famously blowing 3-1 leads in the 2015 and 2020 Western Conference semifinals, the Clippers are often cited as one of the most unfortunate franchises in major North American sports.
Memphis Grizzlies (0)
Even during their time in Vancouver (1995-2001), the Grizzlies struggled to achieve significant success. The franchise had one notable period where they came closest to contention. A defensively focused team led by Tony Allen, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, and Zach Randolph made seven consecutive playoff appearances, including reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2013. However, Memphis was swept by the Spurs in that series.
Minnesota Timberwolves (0)
The Minnesota Timberwolves are another franchise still waiting for their first championship and their first NBA Finals appearance. Minnesota failed to reach the Finals during Kevin Garnett`s more than a decade with the team. In fact, the Timberwolves, established in 1989, made the playoffs eight straight years with Garnett but only advanced past the first round once. Adding to the frustration, Garnett went on to win a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008 after leaving Minnesota. Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals in 2024, but Minnesota fell behind 3-0 in the series and lost in five games.
New Orleans Pelicans (0)
A relatively young franchise, the Pelicans have only been located in New Orleans since 2002. They have no championships and no NBA Finals appearances. The team made its first trip to the Western Conference semifinals in 2008, led by Chris Paul, when they were known as the New Orleans Hornets. New Orleans had a major opportunity in 2012, winning the draft lottery and selecting Anthony Davis with the number one pick. However, the Pelicans were unable to build a championship contender around Davis, only to see him leave and win a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Orlando Magic (2)
Orlando is famous for being the location of Walt Disney World, but unfortunately for the Magic franchise, it is not known for being home to an NBA champion. The Magic have featured two of the most dominant centers of their respective eras in Shaquille O`Neal and Dwight Howard. Both players led the organization to the NBA Finals – Shaq in 1995 and Howard in 2009. However, it took both players leaving Orlando to finally win a championship. Shaq won three titles with the Lakers and one more in Miami, while Howard won one, also with the Lakers.
Phoenix Suns (3)
The Suns have had several excellent teams with all-time great players who just couldn`t achieve the ultimate goal. NBA MVP Charles Barkley led Phoenix to the Finals in 1993, only to lose to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in six games. Steve Nash earned back-to-back MVP awards with the Suns in 2005 and 2006 but was unable to lead Phoenix past the Western Conference finals. More recently, Devin Booker`s Suns team squandered a 2-0 series lead against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 Finals.
Utah Jazz (2)
While other duos might be considered greater overall in NBA history, Karl Malone and John Stockton are certainly one of the greatest tandems never to win a championship. This pair of Hall of Famers made the Jazz legitimate title contenders for over a decade, leading the franchise to its only two NBA Finals appearances. Utah reached the NBA`s biggest stage in 1997 and again in 1998. Unfortunately for Malone and Stockton, both appearances were against Michael Jordan`s Chicago Bulls. The Jazz lost both series in six games and have not reached the Finals since.
