Where the Cavaliers’ perfect start is among the NBA’s best

On By Littum

game

No pressure, it’s just perfection.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have cruised to a perfect 12-0 mark this season under new coach Kenny Atkinson, becoming the eighth team in NBA history to win their first 12 games of the season. The Cavaliers are the NBA’s best-rated offense (121.3) and most accurate 3-point shooting team (41.3%). Cleveland is second in point differential (12), just behind Oklahoma City Thunder (12.2).

Still, 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 seven previous teams that won their first 12 games to start a regular season, five 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?

2015-16 Golden State Warriorsthe team, which went on to set the record for most regular-season wins in a single season (73), also set the mark for the best start to a season in NBA history.

The Warriors opened their season 24-0 before picking up their first loss of the 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 the remarkable start. Kerr had back surgery and was out for the first 43 games of the season. Assistant coach Luke Walton served as 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 with the best starts in NBA history?

  • 2015-16 Golden State Warriors (lost NBA Finals): 24-0
  • 1993-94 Houston Rockets (won the 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: 12-0
  • 1996-97 Chicago Bulls (won the NBA Finals): 12-0
  • 1982-83 Seattle SuperSonics (lost first-round series): 12-0

Cleveland Cavaliers upcoming schedule

  • 13 November at 19.30 at Philadelphia 76ers
  • 15 November at 19.30 vs. Chicago Bulls
  • November 17 at 6 p.m. vs. Charlotte Hornets
  • November 19 at 7 p.m Boston Celtics
  • 20 November at 19.30 vs. New Orleans Pelicans
  • 24 November at 19.30 vs. Toronto Raptors
  • November 27 at 7 p.m. vs. Atlanta Hawks
  • November 29 at 2:30 p.m Atlanta Hawks
  • December 1 at 6 p.m. vs. Boston Celtics
  • December 3 at 7 p.m. Washington Wizards
  • December 5 at 7 p.m. vs. Denver Nuggets
  • December 7 at 1 p.m Charlotte Hornets

* All times Eastern