Best start in NBA history? Cavaliers improve to 15-0, have one team left to chase
Editor's Note: After starting 15-0, the Cavaliers suffered their first loss of the season Tuesday.
No pressure, it's just perfection.
The Cleveland Cavaliers have raced out to a perfect 15-0 mark this season under new coach Kenny Atkinson, becoming the fourth team in NBA history to win their first 15 games of the season.
Cleveland beat the Charlotte Hornets 128-114 on Sunday.
The Cavaliers deploy the NBA's top-rated offense (122.1) and most accurate shooting team – both from the field (52.4% FG) and beyond the arc (41.9% 3FG).
Yet, the Cavaliers are still lagging behind the NBA's most prolific start, with one team – and 10 more victories for the record – still ahead. The good news for Cleveland is that each of the three previous teams that won their first 15 games to start a regular season 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.
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 and 1948-49 Washington Capitols 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
2024-25 Cleveland Cavaliers: 15-0
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
1996-97 Chicago Bulls (won NBA Finals): 12-0
1982-83 Seattle SuperSonics (lost first-round series): 12-0
What channel is Cavaliers vs. Celtics Tuesday?
The Cavaliers will face their toughest test of the season, traveling to Boston to face the defending champion Celtics (11-3). The game will also be an East C group game in the NBA Cup, with significant implications in the tournament.
The game starts at 7 p.m. ET and will air on TNT. Fans can stream the game at TNTdrama.com and the TNT app.
Cleveland Cavaliers upcoming schedule
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 (would be record-setting game)
*All times Eastern
(This story has been updated with a new video.)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cleveland Cavaliers' perfect start: Where it ranks among NBA best
