In the world of basketball, a team’s performance at the start of a season can set the tone for the rest of the year. Among the most impressive feats in NBA history are the remarkable start streaks established by teams throughout the league’s evolution. At the top of this list are the Golden State Warriors, who made history with their undefeated start in the 2015/16 season, a record that still stands as the best opening stretch in NBA history.
Golden State Warriors: The Unbeatable Start
The Golden State Warriors’ 2015/16 season remains legendary not only for their championship pursuit but also for their stunning 24-0 start to the season. This unmatched feat was capped by a perfect opening stretch that ended on December 12, 2015, when the Warriors were finally defeated by the Milwaukee Bucks. However, despite the loss, the Warriors’ 24-game winning streak remains the longest in NBA history to open a season, setting an extraordinary benchmark that has yet to be broken. Their performance that season, ultimately finishing 73-9, remains a regular season record. Although they fell short in the NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers, their regular season dominance continues to be the gold standard for teams aiming for the ultimate consistency.
The Closest Challengers: Houston Rockets and Others
While the Warriors set the highest mark for the best start, other teams have come close to challenging this streak. Most notably, the Houston Rockets of the 1993/94 season managed to win their first 15 games, a mark that remains the closest to the Warriors’ incredible record. The Rockets’ impressive start remains one of the most notable in NBA history, and many believed they were on course to break the Warriors’ record, but their streak eventually ended.
The Best Regular Season Record
In addition to their historical start, the 2015/16 Warriors also hold the distinction of the best regular season record in NBA history. Their 73-9 finish eclipsed the previous record of 72-10 held by the 1995/96 Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan. That Chicago team was widely considered one of the greatest in NBA history, but the Warriors’ achievement in the regular season was an unprecedented achievement at the time.
Can This Record Be Broken?
The question now remains: will the Golden State Warriors’ record be surpassed? With teams like the Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks boasting championship-caliber rosters, the Warriors’ start still stands as a significant milestone. However, as the game evolves and more teams build dynasties of their own, the possibility of breaking this 24-game streak grows more realistic. The Warriors’ mark remains untouched, but with more teams becoming competitive each season, one can never rule out a new challenger ready to write their own chapter in NBA history.
