List of Cleveland Cavaliers seasons

Indoor arena with people lighted by fire.
Quicken Loans Arena, home of the Cleveland Cavaliers since 1994.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (also known 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 in 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 in 1971, Brad Daugherty in 1986, LeBron James in 2003, Kyrie Irving in 2011, Anthony Bennett in 2013 and Andrew Wiggins in 2014.[3] In his last season with the Cavs, Carr won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, the only Cavalier to ever win the award.[4] As a Cavalier, LeBron won Rookie of the Year as well as two MVP awards and two All Star Game MVP awards.[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 44 seasons, the Cavs have achieved a winning record 19 times. Highlights include 18 playoff appearances and four Eastern Conference Finals appearances, which included winning the Central Division championship three times (1976–77, 2008–09 and 2009-10), the Eastern Conference championship once (2006–07), and a single appearance in the NBA Finals in 2007 when they lost to the San Antonio Spurs.[1][7] In five straight play-off 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 .456, with 1660 wins and 1967 losses in regular season play (as of March 13, 2015). They are 70 and 78 in the playoffs, a winning percentage of .473.

Key

Man in the air with basketball in hands
LeBron James has won Rookie of the Year, two MVPs and two All Star Game MVPs as a Cavalier.
AMVP All-Star Game Most Valuable Player
COY Coach of the Year
Finish Final position in league or division standings
(No.) Number of games the coach coached
Italics Season in progress
Losses Number of regular season losses
EOY Executive of the Year
MVP Most Valuable Player
ROY Rookie of the Year
SPOR Sportsmanship Award
JWKC J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
NBA Champions
Conference Champions
Division Champions
Playoff berth

Seasons

Note: Statistics are correct as of the 2014–15 season.

Season Conference Division W L Win% Playoffs Awards Head coach Ref.
1970–71 Eastern 8th Central 4th 15 67 .183 - — Bill Fitch [8]
1971–72 Eastern 7th Central 4th 23 59 .280 - — Bill Fitch [9]
1972–73 Eastern 6th Central 4th 32 50 .390 - — Bill Fitch [10]
1973–74 Eastern 7th Central 4th 29 53 .354 - — Bill Fitch [11]
1974–75 Eastern 6th Central 3rd 40 42 .488 - — Bill Fitch [12]
1975–76 Eastern 2nd Central 1st 49 33 .598 Won Conference Semifinals vs. Washington Bullets, 4–3
Lost Conference Finals to Boston Celtics, 4-2 		Bill Fitch (COY) Bill Fitch [13]
1976–77 Eastern 6th Central 4th 43 39 .524 Lost First Round to Washington Bullets, 2-1 — Bill Fitch [14]
1977–78 Eastern 4th Central 3rd 43 39 .524 Lost First Round to New York Knicks, 2-0 — Bill Fitch [15]
1978–79 Eastern 8th Central 5th[nb 1] 30 52 .366 - — Bill Fitch [17]
1979–80 Eastern 8th Central 5th[nb 2] 37 45 .451 - Austin Carr (JWKC) Stan Albeck [19]
1980–81 Eastern 9th Central 5th 28 54 .341 - — Bill Musselman
Don Delaney		 [20]
1981–82 Eastern 11th Central 6th 15 67 .183 - — Bob Kloppenburg
Chuck Daly
Bill Musselman 		[21]
1982–83 Eastern 10th Central 5th 23 59 .280 - — Tom Nissalke [22]
1983–84 Eastern 9th Central 4th 28 54 .341 - — Tom Nissalke [23]
1984–85 Eastern 8th Central 4th 36 46 .439 Lost First Round to Boston Celtics, 3-1 — George Karl [24]
1985–86 Eastern 9th Central 5th 29 53 .354 - — George Karl
Gene Littles 		[25]
1986–87 Eastern 9th Central 6th 31 51 .380 - — Lenny Wilkens [26]
1987–88 Eastern 6th Central 5th[nb 3] 42 40 .512 Lost First Round to Chicago Bulls, 3-2 — Lenny Wilkens [28]
1988–89 Eastern 3rd Central 2nd 57 25 .695 Lost First Round to Chicago Bulls, 3-2 — Lenny Wilkens [29]
1989–90 Eastern 7th Central 4th[nb 4] 42 40 .512 Lost First Round to Philadelphia 76ers, 3-2 — Lenny Wilkens [31]
1990–91 Eastern 9th Central 6th 33 49 .402 - — Lenny Wilkens [32]
1991–92 Eastern 3rd Central 2nd 57 25 .695 Won First Round vs. New Jersey Nets, 3–1
Won Conference Semifinals vs. Boston Celtics, 4–3
Lost Conference Finals to Chicago Bulls, 4-2		 Wayne Embry (EOY) Lenny Wilkens [33]
1992–93 Eastern 3rd Central 2nd 54 28 .658 Won First Round vs. New Jersey Nets, 3–2
Lost Conference Semifinals to Chicago Bulls, 4-0		 — Lenny Wilkens [34]
1993–94 Eastern 6th Central 4th[nb 5] 47 35 .573 Lost First Round to Chicago Bulls, 3-0 — Mike Fratello [36]
1994–95 Eastern 6th Central 4th 43 39 .524 Lost First Round to New York Knicks, 3-1 — Mike Fratello [37]
1995–96 Eastern 4th Central 3rd 47 35 .573 Lost First Round to New York Knicks, 3-0 — Mike Fratello [38]
1996–97 Eastern 9th Central 5th 42 40 .512 - Terrell Brandon (SPOR) Mike Fratello [39]
1997–98 Eastern 6th Central 5th 47 35 .573 Lost First Round to Indiana Pacers, 3-1 Wayne Embry (EOY) Mike Fratello [40]
1998–99[nb 6] Eastern 11th Central 7th 22 28 .440 - — Mike Fratello [41]
1999–2000 Eastern 11th Central 6th 32 50 .390 - — Randy Wittman [42]
2000–01 Eastern 11th Central 6th 30 52 .366 - — Randy Wittman [43]
2001–02 Eastern 14th Central 7th 29 53 .354 - — John Lucas [44]
2002–03 Eastern 15th Central 8th 17 65 .207 - — John Lucas
Keith Smart 		[45]
2003–04 Eastern 9th Central 5th 35 47 .427 - LeBron James (ROY) Paul Silas [46]
2004–05 Eastern 9th Central 4th 42 40 .512 - Eric Snow (JWKC) Paul Silas
Brendan Malone 		[47]
2005–06 Eastern 4th Central 2nd 50 32 .610 Won First Round vs. Washington Wizards, 4–2
Lost Conference Semifinals to Detroit Pistons, 4-3		 LeBron James (AMVP) Mike Brown [48]
2006–07 Eastern 2nd Central 2nd 50 32 .610 Won First Round vs. Washington Wizards, 4–0
Won Conference Semifinals vs. New Jersey Nets, 4–2
Won Conference Finals vs. Detroit Pistons, 4–2
Lost NBA Finals to San Antonio Spurs, 4-0		 — Mike Brown [49]
2007–08 Eastern 4th Central 2nd 45 37 .549 Won First Round vs. Washington Wizards, 4–2
Lost Conference Semifinals to Boston Celtics, 4-3		 LeBron James (AMVP) Mike Brown [50]
2008–09 Eastern 1st Central 1st 66 16 .805 Won First Round vs. Detroit Pistons, 4–0
Won Conference Semifinals vs. Atlanta Hawks, 4–0
Lost Conference Finals to Orlando Magic, 4-2		 LeBron James (MVP)
Mike Brown (COY)		 Mike Brown [51]
2009–10 Eastern 1st Central 1st 61 21 .744 Won First Round vs. Chicago Bulls, 4–1
Lost Conference Semifinals to Boston Celtics, 4-2		 LeBron James (MVP) Mike Brown [52]
2010–11 Eastern 15th Central 5th 19 63 .232 - — Byron Scott [53]
2011–12[nb 7] Eastern 13th Central 5th 21 45 .318 - Kyrie Irving (ROY) Byron Scott [54]
2012–13 Eastern 13th Central 5th 24 58 .293 - — Byron Scott [55]
2013–14 Eastern 10th Central 3rd 33 49 .402 - Kyrie Irving (AMVP) Mike Brown [56]
2014–15 Eastern 2nd Central 1st 53[57] 29[58] .646[59] Won First Round vs. Boston Celtics 4–0
Conference Semifinals vs. Chicago 0–0		 David Blatt

All-time records

Statistic Wins Losses Win%
Regular season results 1660 1967 .458
Post-season results 70 78 .473
Regular and post-season results 1730 2045 .458

Notes

  1. ↑ The Cavaliers and the Pistons ended the 1978–79 season with identical 30–52 records.[16]
  2. ↑ The Cavaliers and the Pacers ended the 1979–80 season with identical 37–45 records.[18]
  3. ↑ The Cavaliers and the Bucks ended the 1987–88 season with identical 42–40 records.[27]
  4. ↑ The Cavaliers and the Pacers ended the 1989–90 season with identical 42–40 records.[30]
  5. ↑ The Cavaliers and the Pacers ended the 1993–94 season with identical 47–35 records.[35]
  6. ↑ Due to the circumstances of a lockout, the 1998–99 season was shortened to 50 games, with teams beginning play on February 5, 1999.
  7. ↑ Due to the circumstances of a lockout, the 2011–12 season was shortened to 66 games, with teams beginning play on December 25, 2011.

References

General
Specific
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Cleveland Cavaliers Franchise Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  2. ↑ "1970-71 Cleveland Cavaliers Schedule and Results". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Draft Index Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  4. ↑ "J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. Retrieved July 24, 2008.
  5. ↑ "LeBron James Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Kyrie Irving Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 4, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Team Index". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  8. ↑ "1970-1971 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  9. ↑ "1971-1972 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  10. ↑ "1972-1973 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  11. ↑ "1973-1974 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  12. ↑ "1974-1975 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  13. ↑ "1975-1976 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  14. ↑ "1976-1977 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  15. ↑ "1977-1978 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  16. ↑ "1978-79 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  17. ↑ "1978-1979 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  18. ↑ "1979-80 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  19. ↑ "1979-1980 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  20. ↑ "1980-1981 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  21. ↑ "1981-1982 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  22. ↑ "1982-1983 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  23. ↑ "1983-1984 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  24. ↑ "1984-1985 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  25. ↑ "1985-1986 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  26. ↑ "1986-1987 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  27. ↑ "1987-88 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  28. ↑ "1987-1988 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  29. ↑ "1988-1989 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  30. ↑ "1989-90 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  31. ↑ "1989-1990 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  32. ↑ "1990-1991 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  33. ↑ "1991-1992 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  34. ↑ "1992-1993 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  35. ↑ "1993-94 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  36. ↑ "1993-1994 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  37. ↑ "1994-1995 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  38. ↑ "1995-1996 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  39. ↑ "1996-1997 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  40. ↑ "1997-1998 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  41. ↑ "1998-1999 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  42. ↑ "1999-2000 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  43. ↑ "2000-2001 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  44. ↑ "2001-2002 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  45. ↑ "2002-2003 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  46. ↑ "2003-2004 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  47. ↑ "2004-2005 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  48. ↑ "2005-2006 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  49. ↑ "2006-2007 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  50. ↑ "2007-2008 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  51. ↑ "2008-2009 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  52. ↑ "2009-2010 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  53. ↑ "2010-2011 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  54. ↑ "2011-2012 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 3, 2013.
  55. ↑ "2012-13 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  56. ↑ "2013-14 Cleveland Cavaliers". basketball-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  57. ↑ http://espn.go.com/nba/standings
  58. ↑ http://espn.go.com/nba/standings
  59. ↑ http://www.nba.com/standings/team_record_comparison/conferenceNew_Std_Cnf.html
NBA season-by-season team history
Eastern Conference colspan=3 style="background-color: #D0E7FF;" text-align: center;" | Western Conference
Atlantic Central Southeast Northwest Pacific Southwest
Boston Celtics Chicago Bulls Atlanta Hawks Denver Nuggets Golden State Warriors Dallas Mavericks
Brooklyn Nets Cleveland Cavaliers Charlotte Hornets Minnesota Timberwolves Los Angeles Clippers Houston Rockets
New York Knicks Detroit Pistons Miami Heat Oklahoma City Thunder Los Angeles Lakers Memphis Grizzlies
Philadelphia 76ers Indiana Pacers Orlando Magic Portland Trail Blazers Phoenix Suns New Orleans Pelicans
Toronto Raptors Milwaukee Bucks Washington Wizards Utah Jazz Sacramento Kings San Antonio Spurs