List of Cleveland Cavaliers seasons explained

The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known simply as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They began playing in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 1970. This list summarizes the team's season-by-season records, including post-season, and includes select season-end awards won by the team's players and/or coaches. The Cavaliers were founded in 1970 as an expansion franchise and since their first season, they have always played in the Central Division and the Eastern Conference.[1]

On October 14, 1970, the Cavs lost to the Buffalo Braves 92–107 in their first game.[2] They have been awarded the first overall draft pick six times, choosing Austin Carr (1971), Brad Daugherty (1986), LeBron James (2003), Kyrie Irving (2011), Anthony Bennett (2013) and Andrew Wiggins (2014).[3] In his last season with the Cavs, Austin Carr won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, the first of four Cavaliers to win the award (Eric Snow, Luol Deng and LeBron James won the award in 2005, 2014 and 2017, respectively).[4] As a Cavalier, LeBron won Rookie of the Year as well as two MVP awards and two All Star Game MVP awards. He also led the Cavaliers to five NBA Finals, including the last 4 straight, and won the 2016 title as Finals MVP.[5] Cleveland's next first overall pick after James, Kyrie Irving, won Rookie of the Year in 2012 and NBA All-Star Game MVP in 2014.[6]

In their 53 seasons, the Cavs have achieved a winning record 25 times. Highlights include 23 playoff appearances, which included winning the Central Division championship seven times (1975–76, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18), winning the Eastern Conference championship five times (2006–07, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, and 2017–18), and winning the NBA championship in 2016.[7] In five straight playoff appearances with LeBron James in his first tenure with Cleveland, the Cavs won more playoff games than they lost each season, something they only ever managed, barely, once before, in the 1991–92 season. Overall, their winning percentage through the years is .467, with 2,032 wins and 2,321 losses in regular season play (as of the 2023–24 season). They are 131–113 in the playoffs, a winning percentage of .533.

Key

FinishFinal position in league or division standings
(No.)Number of games the coach coached
LossesNumber of regular season losses
ASG MVPAll-Star Game Most Valuable Player
COYCoach of the Year
EOYExecutive of the Year
MVPMost Valuable Player
FMVPNBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award
ROYRookie of the Year
SPORSportsmanship Award
JWKCJ. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
NBA Champions
Conference Champions
Division Champions
Playoff berth
Play-in berth

Seasons

Note: Statistics are correct as of the .

SeasonTeamLeagueConferenceFinishDivisionFinishWinsLossesWin%GBPlayoffsAwardsHead CoachRef.
1970–71NBAEastern8thCentral4th1567.18327Bill Fitch[8]
1971–72NBAEastern7thCentral4th2359.28015[9]
1972–73NBAEastern6thCentral4th3250.39020[10]
1973–74NBAEastern7thCentral4th2953.35418[11]
1974–75NBAEastern6thCentral3rd4042.48820[12]
1975–76NBAEastern2nd Central 1st4933.598Won conference semifinals (Bullets) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Celtics) 4–2
Bill Fitch (COY)[13]
1976–77NBAEastern6th Central4th4339.5246Lost First round (Bullets) 2–1[14]
1977–78NBAEastern4th Central3rd4339.5249Lost First round (Knicks) 2–0[15]
1978–79NBAEastern8thCentral5th3052.36618[16]
1979–80NBAEastern8thCentral5th3745.45113Austin Carr (JWKC)Stan Albeck[17]
1980–81NBAEastern9thCentral5th2854.34132Bill Musselman (25–46)
Don Delaney (3–8)
[18]
1981–82NBAEastern11thCentral6th1567.18340Don Delaney (4–11)
Bob Kloppenburg (0–3)
Chuck Daly (9–32)
Bill Musselman (2–21)
[19]
1982–83NBAEastern10thCentral5th2359.28028Tom Nissalke[20]
1983–84NBAEastern9thCentral4th2854.34122[21]
1984–85NBAEastern8th Central4th3646.43923Lost First round (Celtics) 3–1George Karl[22]
1985–86NBAEastern9thCentral5th2953.35428George Karl (25–42)
Gene Littles (4–11)
[23]
1986–87NBAEastern9thCentral6th3151.38026Lenny Wilkens[24]
1987–88NBAEastern6th Central5th4240.51212Lost First round (Bulls) 3–2[25]
1988–89NBAEastern3rd Central2nd5725.6956Lost First round (Bulls) 3–2[26]
1989–90NBAEastern7th Central4th4240.51217Lost First round (76ers) 3–2[27]
1990–91NBAEastern9thCentral6th3349.40228[28]
1991–92NBAEastern3rd Central2nd5725.69510Won First round (Nets) 3–1
Won conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–3
Lost conference finals (Bulls) 4–2
Wayne Embry (EOY)[29]
1992–93NBAEastern3rd Central2nd5428.6583Won First round (Nets) 3–2
Lost conference semifinals (Bulls) 4–0
[30]
1993–94NBAEastern6th Central4th4735.57310Lost First round (Bulls) 3–0Mike Fratello[31]
1994–95NBAEastern6th Central4th4339.5249Lost First round (Knicks) 3–1[32]
1995–96NBAEastern4th Central3rd4735.57325Lost First round (Knicks) 3–0[33]
1996–97NBAEastern9thCentral5th4240.51227Terrell Brandon (SPOR)[34]
1997–98NBAEastern6th Central5th47 35.57315Lost First round (Pacers) 3–1Wayne Embry (EOY)[35]
[36] 1998–99NBAEastern11thCentral7th2228.44011[37]
1999–2000NBAEastern11thCentral6th3250.39024Randy Wittman[38]
2000–01NBAEastern11thCentral6th3052.36622[39]
2001–02NBAEastern14thCentral7th2953.35421John Lucas II[40]
2002–03NBAEastern15thCentral8th1765.20733John Lucas II (8–34)
Keith Smart (9–31)
[41]
2003–04NBAEastern9thCentral5th3547.42726LeBron James (ROY)Paul Silas[42]
2004–05NBAEastern9thCentral4th4240.51212Eric Snow (JWKC)Paul Silas (34–30)
Brendan Malone (8–10)
[43]
2005–06NBAEastern4th Central2nd5032.61014Won First round (Wizards) 4–2
Lost conference semifinals (Pistons) 4–3
LeBron James (ASG MVP)Mike Brown[44]
2006–07NBAEastern 2nd Central2nd5032.6103Won First round (Wizards) 4–0
Won conference semifinals (Nets) 4–2
Won conference finals (Pistons) 4–2
Lost NBA Finals (Spurs) 4–0
[45]
2007–08NBAEastern4th Central2nd4537.54914Won First round (Wizards) 4–2
Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–3
LeBron James (ASG MVP)[46]
2008–09NBAEastern1st Central 1st6616.805Won First round (Pistons) 4–0
Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–0
Lost conference finals (Magic) 4–2
LeBron James (MVP)
Mike Brown (COY)
[47]
2009–10NBAEastern1st Central 1st6121.744Won First round (Bulls) 4–1
Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–2
LeBron James (MVP)[48]
2010–11NBAEastern15thCentral5th1963.23243Byron Scott[49]
[50] 2011–12NBAEastern13thCentral5th2145.31829Kyrie Irving (ROY)[51]
2012–13NBAEastern13thCentral5th245825.5[52]
2013–14NBAEastern10thCentral3rd334923Kyrie Irving (ASG MVP)
Luol Deng (JWKC)
Mike Brown[53]
2014–15NBAEastern 2ndCentral1st5329Won First round (Celtics) 4–0
Won Conference semifinals (Bulls) 4–2
Won conference finals (Hawks) 4–0
Lost NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–2
David Blatt[54]
2015–16NBAEastern 1stCentral1st5725Won First round (Pistons) 4–0
Won conference semifinals (Hawks) 4–0
Won conference finals (Raptors) 4–2
Won NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–3
LeBron James (FMVP)David Blatt (30–11)
Tyronn Lue (27–14)
[55]
2016–17NBAEastern 2ndCentral1st5131Won First round (Pacers) 4–0
Won conference semifinals (Raptors) 4–0
Won conference finals (Celtics) 4–1
Lost NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–1
LeBron James (JWKC)Tyronn Lue[56]
2017–18NBAEastern 4thCentral1st5032Won First round (Pacers) 4–3
Won conference semifinals (Raptors) 4–0
Won conference finals (Celtics) 4–3
Lost NBA Finals (Warriors) 4–0
LeBron James (ASG MVP)[57]
2018–19NBAEastern14thCentral5th1963.23241Tyronn Lue (0–6)
Larry Drew (19–57)
[58]
[59] 2019–20NBAEastern15thCentral5th1946.29233John Beilein (14–40)
J. B. Bickerstaff (5–6)
[60]
[61] 2020–21NBAEastern13thCentral4th2250.30627J. B. Bickerstaff[62]
2021–22NBAEastern9thCentral3rd4438.5379[63]
2022–23NBAEastern 4thCentral2nd5131.6227Lost First round (Knicks) 4–1[64]
2023–24NBAEastern 4thCentral2nd4834.58516Won First round (Magic) 4–3
Lost conference semifinals (Celtics) 4–1
[65]
2024–25NBAEasternCentralKenny Atkinson[66]

All-time records

StatisticWinsLossesWin%
Regular season 20322321
Post-season 131115
Total 21632436

References

General
Specific

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Cleveland Cavaliers Franchise Index. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  2. Web site: 1970-71 Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and Results. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 4, 2013.
  3. Web site: Draft Index Index. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  4. Web site: J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. July 24, 2008. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. NBA.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20101119021210/http://www.nba.com/history/awards_citizenship.html. November 19, 2010. dead.
  5. Web site: LeBron James Index. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 4, 2013.
  6. Web site: Kyrie Irving Index. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 4, 2013.
  7. Web site: Team Index. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  8. Web site: 1970-1971 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  9. Web site: 1971-1972 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  10. Web site: 1972-1973 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  11. Web site: 1973-1974 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  12. Web site: 1974-1975 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  13. Web site: 1975-1976 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  14. Web site: 1976-1977 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  15. Web site: 1977-1978 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  16. Web site: 1978-1979 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  17. Web site: 1979-1980 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  18. Web site: 1980-1981 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  19. Web site: 1981-1982 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  20. Web site: 1982-1983 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  21. Web site: 1983-1984 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  22. Web site: 1984-1985 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  23. Web site: 1985-1986 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  24. Web site: 1986-1987 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  25. Web site: 1987-1988 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  26. Web site: 1988-1989 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  27. Web site: 1989-1990 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  28. Web site: 1990-1991 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  29. Web site: 1991-1992 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  30. Web site: 1992-1993 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  31. Web site: 1993-1994 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  32. Web site: 1994-1995 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  33. Web site: 1995-1996 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  34. Web site: 1996-1997 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  35. Web site: 1997-1998 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  36. Due to a lockout, the 1998–99 season was shortened to 50 games, with teams beginning play on February 5, 1999.
  37. Web site: 1998-1999 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  38. Web site: 1999-2000 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  39. Web site: 2000-2001 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  40. Web site: 2001-2002 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  41. Web site: 2002-2003 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  42. Web site: 2003-2004 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  43. Web site: 2004-2005 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  44. Web site: 2005-2006 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  45. Web site: 2006-2007 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  46. Web site: 2007-2008 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  47. Web site: 2008-2009 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  48. Web site: 2009-2010 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  49. Web site: 2010-2011 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  50. Due to a lockout, the 2011–12 season was shortened to 66 games, with teams beginning play on December 25, 2011.
  51. Web site: 2011-2012 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2013.
  52. Web site: 2012-13 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 21, 2013.
  53. Web site: 2013-14 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 23, 2014.
  54. Web site: 2014-15 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 3, 2016.
  55. Web site: 2015-16 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 19, 2016.
  56. Web site: 2016-17 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 4, 2019.
  57. Web site: 2017-18 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 4, 2019.
  58. Web site: 2018-19 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. April 4, 2019.
  59. The 2019–20 season was suspended on March 11, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and restarted on July 30, 2020, but the Cavaliers were not invited back to play due to playoff ineligibility, thus ending their season after 65 games.
  60. Web site: 2019-20 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 20, 2021.
  61. The 2020–21 season was shortened to 72 games due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with teams beginning play on December 22, 2020.
  62. Web site: 2020-21 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 20, 2021.
  63. Web site: 2021-22 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. May 20, 2021.
  64. Web site: 2022-23 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 29, 2023.
  65. Web site: 2023-24 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. March 29, 2023.
  66. Web site: 2024-25 Cleveland Cavaliers. basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. June 24, 2024.