Which Teams Hold the Best NBA Playoff Record in Basketball History?
2025-11-21 14:00
As I sit here scrolling through basketball statistics late at night, I can't help but marvel at the incredible playoff performances that have defined NBA history. Having followed basketball for over two decades, I've developed a particular fascination with teams that consistently deliver when the pressure mounts highest. The conversation about which franchises truly own the best playoff records often sparks heated debates among fans, but the numbers don't lie - though they sometimes surprise even seasoned analysts like myself.
When we talk about playoff excellence, my mind immediately goes to the San Antonio Spurs. Their consistency under Gregg Popovich was simply remarkable. Between 1998 and 2017, they made the playoffs for 20 consecutive seasons - that's an entire generation of basketball! What's even more impressive is their winning percentage in those appearances. During their championship runs, they maintained a playoff winning percentage hovering around 60%, which in the pressure-cooker environment of postseason basketball is absolutely phenomenal. I've always admired how they built their teams - not just chasing superstars but developing systems where role players could shine when it mattered most. Their 2014 championship run was particularly masterful, with their beautiful ball movement dismantling the Miami Heat's superteam in just five games.
Then there are the Boston Celtics, the franchise with the most championships in NBA history. Their playoff record speaks volumes about their organizational excellence across different eras. What many casual fans might not realize is that the Celtics hold the record for the most playoff games won in NBA history - over 390 victories heading into the 2023 season. Their .590 all-time playoff winning percentage is staggering when you consider how many postseason games they've played. I've always been partial to their 2008 championship team - that Kevin Garnett-led squad embodied defensive intensity in a way we rarely see today. Their playoff run that year featured several gritty seven-game series that tested their mental toughness, yet they consistently found ways to win close games.
The Los Angeles Lakers present another fascinating case study in playoff excellence. While their regular season performances have sometimes been inconsistent, they've consistently elevated their game when the playoffs arrive. Their 17 championships tie them with the Celtics for most in league history, but what truly stands out to me is their incredible ability to win on the road during playoff runs. During their 2001 championship season, they went 15-1 in the playoffs - still the best single postseason winning percentage in modern NBA history at .938. That Shaq and Kobe team was simply unstoppable, and I'll never forget how they swept through the Western Conference that year without breaking a sweat.
Now, looking at current contracts and team building reminds me of how crucial roster construction is for playoff success. Teams need to balance established veterans with developing talent, much like the situation with those players on existing contracts versus expirees that was mentioned. This delicate balance often determines which teams can maintain playoff excellence over multiple seasons. The Golden State Warriors of recent years perfected this approach, maintaining their core while strategically adding pieces that fit their system. Their .650 playoff winning percentage during their championship runs from 2015-2022 is among the best in modern basketball history.
What's particularly interesting to me is how certain teams consistently outperform their regular season records in the playoffs. The Miami Heat under Erik Spoelstra have developed this reputation recently, making deep playoff runs even when they weren't considered top contenders. Their culture of toughness and discipline reminds me of what made those historic Spurs teams so successful. Meanwhile, teams like the Chicago Bulls of the Jordan era set standards that may never be matched - their 1991-1998 run produced six championships with an incredible .750 playoff winning percentage during those title years.
As I reflect on these historic teams, I'm struck by how playoff success often comes down to organizational stability and the ability to develop players who understand their roles perfectly. The best playoff teams throughout history have shared this quality - they built systems where players complemented each other's strengths. This is why I believe current teams should study these historic examples carefully. The numbers clearly show that sustained playoff excellence requires more than just collecting talent - it demands building cohesive units that peak at the right time. Looking ahead, I'm curious to see which current franchises will join these historic ranks, though I suspect the bar set by teams like the Spurs and Celtics will remain incredibly challenging to reach.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
