Following a historic start to the season, the Cavaliers have remained atop the NBA standings for the first two and a half months of play.
As the calendar turns to a new year, Cleveland has the best start in franchise history, winning 31 of its first 35 games.
The Cavs, along with the Thunder, are one of two teams on pace to win 70 games during the 2024-25 season, thanks to their dominance on both ends of the floor.
In the NBA’s 78-year history, only two teams have won more than 70 games. There is still a lot of basketball to be played, but Cleveland and OKC have shown historic levels of dominance up to this point in the season.
Where do these teams stand in their quest to set records? Consider how their hot starts compare to the pace of the teams that have had the most successful seasons in league history.
Best records in NBA history
The Warriors had the best regular season in NBA history, finishing with a 73-9 record in 2015-16.
Golden State’s historic 73-9 season is one of only 13 NBA seasons in which the team won 67 or more games. Nine of these teams went on to win NBA championships.
| Rank | Team | Season | Record (Pct.) | Finish |
| 1. | Warriors | 2015-16 | 73-9 (.890) | Lost Finals |
| 2. | Bulls | 1995-96 | 72-10 (.878) | Won Finals |
| 3. | Lakers | 1971-72 | 69-13 (.841) | Won Finals |
| 4. | Bulls | 1996-97 | 69-13 (.841) | Won Finals |
| 5. | 76ers | 1966-67 | 68-13 (.840) | Won Finals |
| 6. | Celtics | 1972-73 | 68-14 (.829) | Lost East Finals |
| 7. | Celtics | 1985-86 | 67-15 (.817) | Won Finals |
| 8. | Bulls | 1991-92 | 67-15 (.817) | Won Finals |
| 9. | Lakers | 1999-2000 | 67-15 (.817) | Won Finals |
| 10. | Mavericks | 2006-07 | 67-15 (.817) | Lost West 1st Round |
| 11. | Warriors | 2014-15 | 67-15 (.817) | Won Finals |
| 12. | Spurs | 2015-16 | 67-15 (.817) | Lost West Semis |
| 13. | Warriors | 2016-17 | 67-15 (.817) | Won Finals |
The win percentage of a 67-win team in an 82-game season is.817. At this point in the season, the Cavaliers (31-4,.886) and Thunder (30-5,.857) are both on pace to win more than 70 games.
In terms of pace, the 1995-96 Bulls (32-3) and the 2015-16 Warriors (33-2) started the season faster than the Cavaliers and Thunder did. With Cleveland and OKC in opposing conferences, both have a clearer path to reaching the 70-win mark.
The Warriors (73) and Spurs (67) had historic seasons in 2015-16, but neither won the NBA title.
Best seasons in Cavaliers history
Since becoming a franchise in 1970, the Cavaliers have had two seasons with 60 or more wins. LeBron James was the driving force behind three of the best five teams in franchise history, so Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Darius Garland’s performances this year are even more impressive.
| Rank | Season | Record (Pct.) | Finish |
| 1. | 2008-09 | 66-16 (.805) | Lost East Finals |
| 2. | 2009-10 | 61-21 (.744) | Lost East Semis |
| 3. | 1988-89 | 57-25 (.695) | Lost East 1st Round |
| 4. | 1991-92 | 57-25 (.695) | Lost East Finals |
| 5. | 2015-16 | 57-25 (.695) | Won Finals |
The 2024-25 Cavaliers won 31 of their first 35 games while the 66-win team of 2008-09 had a 29-6 record through 35 games.
Best seasons in Thunder history
Despite their brief 17-year existence, the Thunder have had some of the best players in the league.
The franchise technically retains the history of the Seattle SuperSonics, but take a look at the best records since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma.
| Rank | Season | Record (Pct.) | Finish |
| 1. | 2012-13 | 60-22 (.732) | Lost West Semis |
| 2. | 2013-14 | 59-23 (.720) | Lost West Finals |
| 3. | 2011-12 | 47-19 (.712) | Lost Finals |
| 4. | 2023-24 | 57-25 (.695) | Lost West Semis |
| 5. | 2010-11 | 55-27 (.671) | Lost West Finals |
| 6. | 2015-16 | 55-27 (.671) | Lost West Finals |
The 2024-25 Thunder won 30 of their first 35 games, but Oklahoma City’s only 60-win team won 27 of its first 35 games.
For what it’s worth, Seattle’s best season was in 1995-96, when it went 64-18 (.780) and lost to the 72-win Bulls in the NBA Finals.
