2023 NBA Playoffs: Which Teams Have Never Made the NBA Finals?

• The Denver Nuggets are the latest NBA franchise to end their NBA Finals drought
• They did so after sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2023 Western Conference finals
• Sports Brief looks at teams without an NBA title and finals appearance

The Denver Nuggets booked their spot in the 2023 NBA Finals after sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals.

It will be their first-ever NBA Finals appearance in their history.

Moreover, it was the 4-0 series win that was the first sweep for the franchise. They reached the conference finals five previous times (2020, 2009, 1985, 1978), losing to the Lakers four times. The Nuggets are also looking for their first NBA title, per USA Today.

Michael Malone's side will face the winner of the Eastern Conference finals, in which the Miami Heat have a 3-1 series lead over the Boston Celtics.

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A few more teams in the NBA have never made the finals. Sports Brief takes a look at teams without a finals appearance, an NBA title, and the longest NBA Finals drought.

Teams without NBA Finals appearance

After the Nuggets booked their first finals trip, there are just five NBA franchises that have never reached the NBA Finals.

The Los Angeles Clippers are the oldest NBA team without a finals appearance. They have made it past the semifinals just once. The Charlotte Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans are the only two NBA teams that have not advanced past the second round of the NBA Playoffs, per Sporting News.

Charlotte did not have a basketball team from 2003 to 2005. The Pelicans' franchise history begins in the 2002-03 season, when the original Hornets franchise relocated to New Orleans. The Warriors are the reigning NBA champions.

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Teams without a title

The Celtics and the Lakers have each won 17 NBA titles. The Golden State Warriors have won seven times, Chicago Bulls have six titles, and the San Antonio Spurs have five. Those teams are the only ones with five or more.

Eleven franchises have never won an NBA title. The Phoenix Suns have the most finals appearances (3) without winning the championship.

Some teams have won the NBA title, but they did so in a different era or location. The Sacramento Kings won the title in 1951 when they were called the Rochester Royals. The Atlanta Hawks won the 1958 NBA Finals while based in St. Louis, Missouri. So which teams have the longest title droughts?

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In 2021, the Milwaukee Bucks won their first title since 1971.

Longest NBA finals drought

The Nuggets can also win their first NBA title this year. With the way they are playing, led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic, they should be favorites.

Jokic makes history

Sports Brief earlier reported on Nuggets superstar Jokic breaking Wilt Chamberlain's triple-double record.

The Serbian now has eight triple-doubles this postseason, breaking the record for most triple-doubles in a playoff run, which was set by Wilt Chamberlain in 1967.

Jokic is looking to cap off his phenomenal run in the postseason with his first-ever ring. He was close to winning his third straight MVP award this season, but was pipped by Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid.

In 12 playoffs game this season, he's averaged 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game.